Google
Inc. has plans to offer much more than smartphone connectivity with its
upcoming in-car infotainment system. Android Auto will act as a basis
for an upcoming version of Google’s operating system made especially for
cars that would allow occupants to use the Internet without connecting
to their smartphones, according to a new report.
Google Inc. has partnered with a number of automakers to
bring Android Auto to new car models, the first of which are set to
debut next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While
Android Auto requires a smartphone to connect to a compatible car, a new
version of the operating system, dubbed Android M, could eventually
allow access to Google Maps, streaming music and other apps
independently, according to a Reuters report.
Google’s Android M could be a major step up from Android
Auto
sometime in 2015 or 2016, anonymous sources told the news agency.
Android Auto will have to compete against the iPhone’s popularity as
Apple Inc. introduces CarPlay, a similar platform to expand iPhones onto touchscreens built into vehicles.
While the iPhone’s popularity could impede Android Auto in the short run, an independent system could help Google leverage its more popular
mapping technology to potentially dominate the market by offering a
full-featured car system that works for iPhone and Android alike.
Android M could also allow Google to collect even more
valuable data about consumers, including GPS location, where they stop,
shop, travel and buy gas. However, Google will face a number of
challenges to convince manufacturers to implement Android M.
In-car infotainment features could raise safety concerns,
which would make automakers reluctant to hand the reins completely to
Google. Android Auto would also need to turn on more quickly than most
Google-powered smartphones, analysts told Reuters.
Both Apple and Google have signed up a number of
manufacturers for their respective automotive efforts, as they race to
expand beyond smartphones to smart watches, car entertainment consoles
and elsewhere.
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