Is Samsung working on an Android Auto alternative?

Samsung adds a lot of useful features on top of Android. Some such useful features have been inducted into stock Android by Google over the past decade. Now, the South Korean firm appears to be developing a feature that is similar to Android Auto, and we can now have a first look at it.

Code tinkerer and tipster @GalaxyTechie has discovered an unannounced feature called Samsung Auto DeX in One UI's codebase. It is similar to Android Auto and can project a distraction-free UI on the screen of a car's central infotainment system. Apparently, it supports over 8,500 car models from over 70 brands.

According to the tipster, even if a car model isn't supported, Auto DeX can be used with it with some tinkering. Moerover, apparently, even if a Galaxy phone doesn't support it, you can use it. However, they didn't explain how someone can do that.

As you can see in the image above, it displays three apps/widgets: Maps (biggest window), Now Brief (top right), and Music Player (bottom right).

There are on-screen navigation controls in the bottom right corner of the screen, while most frequently used app shortcuts are on a dock on the left side of the screen. The leftside dock also features a shortcut to launch the app drawer, the current time, the battery icon, and the cellular signal. There is another dock at the bottom that displays app icons.

Samsung is developing this feature internally. The company even developed a separate Android Auto clone for the Chinese market. However, we can't say for sure if it will be launched in select markets (like China) or if it will be launched at all. There are several features that brands usually test and develop internally but at least some of them never see the light of day.