ANDROID IN CAR? WHAT IS ANDROID AUTO?

Android Auto

Android Auto is the combination of your smartphone with an in-car 'head unit' to provide specific driving-related functionality and easy access to things like directions and music.

Basically you're using your phone to broadcast a new user interface onto your car's touchscreen, thus bringing the full power of the latest phones to your car. Android Auto works by projecting Android apps onto onto the in-car display after the phone has been plugged in to the car via USB. The phone itself does all the heavy lifting.

Phone calls are handled over Bluetooth. This opens up the possibility to use mobile apps such as Google Maps, Google Play Music, Google Now and a host of third-party offerings. Presently, that mainly means media apps — music and podcasts and the like — though messaging apps can also get piped through Android Auto. Hangouts, Skype, etc. They're headless, meaning there's not actually an app to interact with, but you get the important part: the message.

A total of 40 automakers are selling new cars in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and the US with Android Auto support.

If you do have a compatible in-car display, having the system is obviously a little more convenient than using your phone and docking in a dash cradle. If you do take this latter route, you can use any dash mount but some manufacturers have tweaked their offerings to take advantage of Android Auto