Porsche will adopt Android Automotive, complete with Google apps
Porsche has announced a collaboration with Google which will bring Android Automotive to the carmaker’s future vehicles.
Expand Expanding ClosePorsche has announced a collaboration with Google which will bring Android Automotive to the carmaker’s future vehicles.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto has basically become a standard across new vehicles at this point, but some automakers have held out on the option for its customers. Now, a new brand is jumping in. Starting with its next model year, Porsche is adopting Google’s Android Auto.
Expand Expanding ClosePickings for new Android Wear-powered watches have been fairly slim this year, but one of the most notable options is currently the Huawei Watch 2. Announced at Mobile World Congress in February, the Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic ditched the minimalistic design of the original in favor of a bulkier and fancier or sportier aesthetic (depending on which model you choose).
If the current Huawei Watch 2 designs aren’t catching your attention and you’d like to outfit your wrist with something truly special, Porsche Design just might have the wearable for you with its newly announced Porsche Design Huawei Watch.
Update: While Google has not commented directly on Porsche’s reported rejection of Android Auto, the company made a statement to The Verge in which it denied that it currently collects any of the data mentioned in the original report. It does not go as far as saying that it has not requested access to such data.
“We take privacy very seriously and do not collect the data the Motor Trend article claims such as throttle position, oil temp, and coolant temp,” Google said in a statement to The Verge. “Users opt in to share information with Android Auto that improves their experience, so the system can be hands-free when in drive, and provide more accurate navigation through the car’s GPS.”
Sportscar manufacturer Porsche has rejected Android Auto for the 2017 version of its famous 911, saying that Google demands access to too much data, reports Motor Trend.
As part of the agreement an automaker would have to enter with Google, certain pieces of data must be collected and [sent] back to Mountain View, California. Stuff like vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temp, engine revs—basically Google wants a complete OBD2 dump whenever someone activates Android Auto.
Porsche has approved Apple’s CarPlay, as this requires access to only a single piece of data: whether or not the car is moving.
Porsche’s parent company Volkswagen is, however, pressing full speed ahead with Google’s in-car infotainment system, stating back in July that almost every 2016 Volkswagen model in almost every trim level will get Android Auto support.
Android Auto got a user-interface refresh back in August.
2015 Volkswagon eGolf electric car
Volkswagen has announced that almost every 2016 VW model “in virtually every trim” will get support for Android Auto, with the first models arriving in showrooms this week.
As the people’s car brand, we knew that it was important to democratize these technologies across the Volkswagen line-up, with features like App-Connect ensuring that more consumers can integrate their smart devices in a wide range of trims on virtually every model the company sells […]
App-Connect provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
“Democratization” only goes so far – the company will offer four different head units of varying sophistication, depending on price level …
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After joining Motorola as an advisor late last month, former long-time Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki appears to be dropping some big hints about the company’s upcoming plans in the smartphone space. In a post to his Google+ account (via DroidLife), Kawasaki posted a link to a video detailing customization options offered by Porsche and posing the question, “Wouldn’t it be great if you could personalize your phone like this?”
This has of course lead to speculation that Kawasaki is referring to the ability customize an upcoming Motorola device at the time of purchase, something that recent reports indicate could be in the plans for Motorola’s much rumored X Phone. AndroidandMe and other blogs have reported that the Motorola’s X Phone could include hardware customization options, but also the ability to preload apps, ringtone, wallpapers, etc, features that other devices have offered versions of in the past.
The latest rumors claim X Phone could see an official release by June and its possible we could get our first look at the device in May during Google I/O.