Google’s Android Auto platform continues to expand with more apps, supported hardware, and even its native version coming on other cars. Today, Google announces new changes to apps on Android Auto that, finally, opens the door to more navigation apps on the platform.
Since its launch, Android Auto has supported Google Maps, but over the years it has only opened one by one, the Google-owned Waze. This satisfies most users, but it is understandable for some frustrating and also avoids the choice. Now Google has opened up the floods.
In early access for the moment, Google is allowing more navigation apps to work with Android Auto. This starts with partners like TomTom, MapFactor, and others. Along with more navigation apps, Google is also allowing new apps for parking and charging electric cars. SpotHero, for example, is another early access partner for these new categories.
Today we show our work with early access partners to build apps in new categories for Android Auto, including navigation, parking and charging of electric cars. Using our new Android for Cars App Library, we can ensure that all tasks within an app can be accomplished with minimal glance like taps.
At a time when Google is under increased scrutiny for competition, it’s especially good to see this change being made. Early Access partners will have their apps available to beta testers until the end of this year. If all goes well, Google says these APIs will be made public in the future.
Along with the advent of these new forms of apps, Google has confirmed that Android Auto has 3,000 apps in the Play Store and optmized for the platform.
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