Android Automotive 12 Brings New Launcher, Widescreen Support, Improved UI Navigation, and More

Last Updated on December 13, 2021 by Anu Joy

Google has quietly introduced the latest Android Automotive 12 based on its latest Android 12 OS. Thanks to popular leakster Mishaal Rahman, we have some info regarding the new update. The update brings better UI navigation owing to the inclusion of four-way nudge-based knobs, a reference SMS app, heads-up notification customisation, improved Bluetooth connectivity, and much more. Android 12’s major highlight trickles down to the latest Android Automotive OS as it will now notify when the microphone of your infotainment system is listening. 

The touchscreen infotainment systems on cars are getting bigger ever since Tesla started providing massive displays in their cars. Now Android Automotive 12 also brings a widescreen two-column Settings app that supports large infotainment displays. It has also revamped its launcher to make it more intuitive and to support a wide range of applications. Carmakers can customise tasks owing to the Power Policy API incorporated in this update. Android Automotive 12 will only support 64-bit apps for now. The introduction of ARM’s v9 cores, which support only 64-bit apps, had already rung the death knell for 32-bit operations. 

For folks not in the know, Volvo’s Polestar 2 was the first car to be equipped with Android Automotive which differs from your average Android Auto feature. The whole infotainment system itself runs on Android Automotive OS, which lets you install your favourite apps on it. There’s no need to connect your smartphone to the system in this application and it can rest while you drive. Furthermore, it can perform various car functions like opening/closing windows or sunroofs, providing the car’s vital health statistics, controlling the car’s air conditioning unit, navigation, calls and SMS readouts, and a lot more. Some cars will even have an embedded e-SIM for internet and calling purposes.

The integration of the Android Automotive OS opens up endless possibilities. Honda realised it and recently announced that it will ditch its in-house systems in favour of the Android Automotive-powered infotainment systems starting from the second half of 2022. Aftermarket Android-based head units from brands such as Blaupunkt, Pioneer, Hypersonic etc. are powered by low spec chipsets, which are unable to handle the Android OS efficiently. Incorporating Android Automotive OS might provide a fluid experience to the users. 

Google is yet to roll out the Android Automotive OS 12 update. Apparently, the Volvo Polestar 2 is running on the older version based on Android 10. Google is yet to provide details about the update roll-out. Apple is also working on a similar system.