Nearly a year after it was announced, Microsoft Teams will finally be coming to Android Auto. According to Microsoft’s product roadmap, Teams should be available to Android Auto users beginning next month. As we previously reported, vehicles that natively run Android Automotive OS received access to Zoom, Webex, and Teams first, before Android Auto users were given audio-only access to Zoom and Webex. Microsoft has not commented on why Teams integration for Android Auto has taken so long.
GM is phasing out drivers’ infotainment options for safety reasons
The following was originally published September 19, 2023:
Earlier this year we reported on a Zoom, Webex, and Teams would be coming to Android Auto, as announced at Google’s I/O conference. More recently, Google has announced a number of new features that are coming to Android Auto, as well as cars that natively run the Android Automotive OS. These new features paint a clearer picture of the direction Google is trying to steer Auto AV, pushing conferencing and productivity apps, as well as quality of life features such as a digital key accessibility.
It’s important to note that different features are coming to different platforms for the time being. As announced earlier this year, owners of cars that natively run Android Automotive OS now have access to Zoom, Webex, and Teams in their vehicle. The company has just announced that Android Auto users are now bridging the gap, with audio-only access to Zoom and Webex.
See also: Mini’s next-gen vehicles get AV makeover, large circular OLED screen
Native Android Automotive OS cars from select manufacturers (including Polestar, Renault, and Volvo) will be getting access to Prime Video, though don’t worry, as the video streaming service will only be available when the car is in park. Native Android OS users will also be getting access to The Weather Channel app, allowing real-time weather checking along trip routes.
Finally, some select users will now be able to use a digital key function, meaning some smartphones running Android will be able to be used to keys to turn a vehicle on and off. This feature will only be available “on select Hyundai, Genesis and Kia models in the U.S., Canada and Korea, for drivers with compatible Pixel and Samsung devices like the Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung S23+.”
The following was originally published May 12, 2023:
This week saw Google host their annual I/O conference, where the company made several major announcements for all of their divisions. While the deep dive into their new Pixel Fold phone has caught the most buzz, Google also announced a number of new features that will be coming to Android Auto and Android Automotive OS.
The company announced that they will be bringing several conferencing apps to vehicles running Android software, such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, and Microsoft Teams. Google mentions that any meetings taken in the car will be audio-only for safety issues, and will feature a simplified control system. This announcement comes alongside several other features coming to Android Auto and Android Automotive OS, including new games, entertainment apps, and integrated Waze navigation. Google says that the new meeting apps will be available “soon.”
See also: Webex meetings turn Mercedes-Benz E-class sedans into a mobile office
