Tag Archives: Android Auto

‘Google’ No Longer Even Bothering To Copy Across ‘Android Auto’ To New ‘Android 12’ Phones.

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by Anura Guruge
on January 2, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. My NEW & old Google Pixel phones.
Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google’.

Yes, I had known that Google was phasing out ‘Android Auto‘.

I did NOT need Android Auto to connect & use my Google Pixel 5 with my new (as of November 2, 2021) ‘Volvo’ ‘XC60’. The phone connected directly to Volvo’s (error-prone) Google-based infotainment system. That was also the case, yesterday, with my new Pixel 6 Pro. Just added the phone directly.

I hope I got my years right! SMILE. It is easy to overlook one. I got 1999 right away, BUT forgot 2000. Yikes. So, please check out my math. I will update the second chart if I have it wrong.

When I had asked for the APPs to be copied over I noticed the gap. I had to check on the old phone to see what was missing. Ahhh! Android Auto. I was slightly concerned that I might not be able to connect to my Volvo. It was NOT an issue.

So, a heads up just in case you run into this.

Android Auto is on the way out.

OK? Got that.

2022 Volvos, ‘Android’ Phone Integration With Google Android ‘Infotainment’ System — Without ‘Android Auto’.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 4, 2021

Click to ENLARGE. Main APP screen. Photo on my 2022 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD (Polestar).

Android phone integration & support is built-in so to speak — given that the ‘Infotainment’ system is from Google & totally Android-based.

One of the very first things you have to do (after you select the language of choice etc.) is to sign into one of your GMAIL accounts — just like if you were setting up an Android phone. I used the same Gmail as I use as my primary on my Pixel 5.

Once Bluetooth was enabled & paired, the XC60 immediately recognized my Pixel 5. Didn’t have to do anything. Receiving calls, making outbound calls & notifications ALL worked first time, without any problems. It was very smooth.

As you can see Google Maps is also built in. My XC60 has maps in the display behind the steering wheel. So, I can have two maps, one with horizontal orientation & one with portrait.

I haven’t even bothered with Android Auto. Not sure what I would need it for. So, I am just giving you a heads up.

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Volvo 2022 ‘Android Automotive Infotainment System’ Does NOT Support ‘Google Maps’ Satellite View. Sacré Bloody Bleu!

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by Anura Guruge
on October 21, 2021

Click to ENLARGE.
Click to ENLARGE & read here. From ‘CNET‘. Click here for link to original.
Click to ENLARGE. Posts on THIS Blog. Use blog’s SEARCH to locate & read.

This is pathetic. Volvo was taken to the cleaners by Google.

Amazing.

Google Maps without satellite view! My dealership (who I will not name right now) never informed me of this, THOUGH they, to their credit, told me about the LACK OFF Android Auto/Apple CarPlay & Sirius XM. I found the compass debacle on my own. Now this.

My disdain for Volvo continues to grow.

The Dealership (that will remain unnamed for now) keeps on ASSURING me that the 2022 Volvo XC60 I ordered on August 15, 2021 (& paid a HEFTY deposit for) will be delivered — as promised — on November 15, 2021. On September 14, 2021, a month into the order, we had agreed on November 15 as the drop-dead date. Well, let’s wait & see.

No satellite view. No compass. Yes, you don’t need any navigation in Sweden. Big country BUT not that many roads!

Sweden has 82,800 miles TOTAL of public roads!

Just the State of Massachusetts has 77,730 miles. New Hampshire, where I live, has 33,391. So, just MA & NH together, has more roads that ALL of Sweden. Hence, why Volvo doesn’t understand the need for decent navigation. In Sweden you can navigate just by the stars!

I am NOT amused. IF I do, by some miracle, get my XC60 on November 15, 2021, I will still not be a happy camper. SMILE.

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Volvo In 2022 Has Lost Its Way When It Comes To The ‘Compass’ Feature.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 11, 2021

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Click to ENLARGE.
Click to ENLARGE.
At least in 2021 there is an awesome digital compass, albeit just in ‘Off Road‘ mode.

As with the lack of ‘Sirius XM’ radio, ‘Android Auto’ & ‘Apple CarPlay‘ support, I kid you NOT. This is kosher, 100% kosher — & I, for one, am NOT amused. I like having a digital compass. I was looking forward to having a compass. Now I am foiled. NO COMPASS. Volvo, in 2022, sure seems to have lost its way.

The compass feature is no longer available. That is a fact. Ask Volvo. Ask a dealer.

I have downloaded the 2022 “Owner’s Manual” for the XC60 AWD I ordered last week. They still have a section heading for “Compass” but it is BLANK! See image above.

I think that Volvo thought that the ‘compass’ in Google Maps — now standard — will suffice. But, that is NOT the same. This is crazy.

In my 2021 XC60 AWD, as I have already talked about, there is an awesome digital compass — albeit when you are in ‘Off Road’ mode. I have not been able to check out a 2022 XC60 in ‘Off Road’ mode. So, I can’t tell you whether this compass is still there.

Bottom line. Volvo has a more than its fair share of issues when it comes to its 2022 offerings. Stay tuned.

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Volvo’s New Google-Based ‘Infotainment’ System, Will Not Have ‘Android Auto’ Or ‘Apple CarPlay’ Support Till 1Q2022!

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by Anura Guruge
on August 9, 2021

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Please check this latest update — based on hands on experience.

Click image to access this November 4, 2021 post.
Click to ENLARGE.

As with the lack of ‘Sirius XM’ radio support, this is NOT a joke. This is too serious a matter to kid about.

That a Google Android-based system cannot support ‘Android Auto’ sounds like an oxymoron. Alas, it is NOT. This is reality. IF you buying a new 2022 Volvo (as I am) check with Volvo or a Dealer. [I feel bad for the Dealers. This is outside their control & they are, obviously, not too amused. This might even cost some of them some sales.]

From what I gather, this delay, especially when it comes to Android Auto might be ‘contractual‘, i.e., Google not being able to offer support for Android Auto ahead of ‘Apple CarPlay’. Apple might have grounds to complain & the European Union (EU) is already giving Google plenty of grief about its monopolistic practices. So, Google has to be seen as playing fair.

Well, for I, with my 40-year background in the computer industry this is but deja vu (all over again). Modern cars have become computers on wheels, so reliant on software. We all know about software updates — whether it be computers, phones, smartwatches, set-top units or even TVs. Now the game has moved to cars.

With this new Google Android infotainment system Volvo can do ‘over-the-air’ (OTA) software updates.

As with Sirius XM, support for Android Auto & Apple CarPlay will be added via such an OTA update.

Purely by coincidence YouTube offered me this video as a recommendation today. I haven’t had chance to watch it all, but he appears to be far from happy about the new system. YIKES. I have already ordered my new 2022 Volvo XC60 — with a November 2021 delivery (with luck).

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