Google is releasing a new update to Android Auto, allowing the car’s software to get some of its smarts up to date. This includes bringing back the Calendar app, which allows you to view information about your next appointment and get directions once you’ve added a location to your calendar. Google previously removed the Calendar app from its last redesign in 2019, replacing it with a button that simply reads your appointments aloud with the Google Assistant instead of showing you everything on the screen.
The new update also adds relevant shortcuts to the calendar app – so if you need to pick up a birthday cake, for example, you have the option to call the bakery or pick up directions to get there. Apple introduced a similar calendar feature in 2019 that allowed its CarPlay users to turn up directions and view appointments as part of their iOS 13 update.
In addition to bringing smarts back to its calendar app, Google also announced today that it is working with “partners for early access” to help create new apps and categories for Android Auto, including navigating, parking and charging electric cars . Google has not said how those apps will be distributed. If the tests are successful, Google will make those APIs public so other software developers can start building new apps for their car software.
