This will be the Android Auto that will include the Google Assistant

The path of Android Auto remains uncertain after Google announced, more than a year ago, that this service would be replaced by other experiences. And it is that I wanted to bring Android Auto to the Google Assistant and also to Google Maps Something that has not happened at the moment, but is about to change according to the clues we are uncovering in the latest updates to these apps. Boy, you'll soon have the Android Auto driving experience in places other than the app of the same name.And so it will be:

Thanks to the 9to5Google team for taking a look at the code inside the latest Google app beta update. And it is that the engineering team already has everything quite fine-tuned before launching this function. But it's still hidden in the guts of the application, where the wizard is also. Well, here is the Android Auto experience with its updated design.

Looks similar to Android Auto

The idea is that the Google Assistant itself changes its appearance and allows you to perform common actions on the terminal without being distracted when driving. So it will have a function capable of guiding you turn by turn on the road, in addition to giving you access to calls, messages, music playback applications and other elements compatible with driving.Basically it's like having Android Auto also accessible from the Google Assistant

We discovered this thanks to the images published by said medium that they found inside the beta version of the Google application. Here is how the large map is displayed on the screen A map from Google Maps with an address and a route with directions as usual for navigation. But there is more. At the bottom of the screen there is space for a strip that shows what is currently playing on the mobile, be it music, a podcast or Internet radio. All this with the name of the track or program and playback buttons to control it comfortably. Without having to access the application.

Further down there is one more strip on the screen that houses the microphone icon to invoke the Google Assistant and make requests out loud.There is also a icon with four circles which gives access to a full screen of applications and resources compatible with driving.

These are the functions we talked about before. A direct access to calls, messages and other applications that can be used while driving and are guided with the map always in view. They are generally music, podcast and audio content playback apps. As it already happens in Android Auto. All this with a design of large buttonsto try to distract you as little as possible from what is important: the road Although to access these functions you have to click on that icon of four circles.

Soon

The question now is knowing when it can be accessible and used by the bulk of the population. And, for now, this function is hidden in the Google applicationStill with a margin of time to refine its operation and receive tweaks before launching it to everyone. But closer and closer to its publication.

Google Maps will soon look more like Android Auto

Proof of this is that in recent days we have also seen the integration of this Android Auto experience in the Google Maps application. It is not yet visible to everyone, but it seems that Google is activating it from its servers for small groups, for now. So it is clear that, after a year and a half, Google will launch this driving experience in its most practical applications, leaving Android Auto aside. Just wait a little longer.