Google launched an extremely useful feature called Android Auto a few years ago. It allowed you to use your Android smartphone as an all-in-one music playback and navigation device. It featured an easy-to-use and easy-to-view UI that was perfect for driving. That feature was then switched to Google Assistant, and the company is now shutting it down completely.
Google Assistant's Driving Mode feature is shutting down
Google Assistant's Driving Mode will shut down later this month, according to a notice that Google is displaying on the screen. If you are someone who uses Google Assistant Driving Mode on your Android smartphone, you won't be able to use it after a few days, and you will have to find some other solution for your needs. Google had hinted that this would happen when it shut down the Android Auto for Phone Screens app and switched that functionality to Google Assistant.
A few years ago, you could use Android Auto directly on your phone or tablet screen, which meant you didn't need a dedicated touchscreen infotainment unit in your car for music playback and navigation. Then, Google launched Android Auto for touchscreen infotainment systems, which projected an easy-to-use UI on your car's infotainment system. You could use media/online radio/podcast apps for audio playback, check messages, take calls, and have a navigation system via Google Maps. Then, Google launched Android Automotive OS, and seeing how popular Android Auto had become and the potential that Android Automotive OS had, it started focusing more on those features.
Now, the company is completely shutting down the ability to have some easy-to-use interface on your phone when you're driving. So, you either need to get an Android Auto-compatible infotainment unit installed or use your car's built-in navigation and media playback features.
