Google opens Android Automotive OS at Spotify, other multimedia application developers – TechCrunch



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Google open his Android The automotive operating system allows third-party developers to integrate music and other entertainment applications into infotainment systems, starting with Polestar. 2, a 100% electric vehicle developed by Volvo's standalone electric performance brand.

On Wednesday, Google announced that multimedia application developers could create new entertainment experiences for Android Automotive OS and Polestar 2 from Google I / O 2019, the annual developer conference that begins May 7th.

Google begins with developers of multimedia applications such as Spotify and other entertainment sites. However, the company plans to also expand to other categories of apps, such as navigation, Haris Ramic, one of Google's most popular products for Android Automotive, told TechCrunch during a recent interview.

Android Automotive OS should not be confused with Android Auto, secondary interface located above an operating system. The Android Automotive operating system is inspired by its open-source mobile operating system running under Linux. But instead of using smartphones and tablets, Google has modified it to be used in cars.

Polestar presented in February its first 100% electric vehicle, a five-door fastback called Polestar 2, before the Geneva Motor Show. The Polestar 2 infotainment system is optimized by the Android car operating system and integrates embedded Google services such as Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store.

Ramic noted that the system presented in Geneva has improved and has now updated Google Maps and a multimedia center allowing third-party applications such as Spotify, NPR and YouTube Music to operate more transparently in vehicles. These applications will be ready when the vehicle goes into mass production, which should begin in early 2020 at its plant in Chengdu, China. The company initially targets sales in China, the United States, Canada and some European countries, including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Polestar is not the only company to consider integrating a version of its Android operating system into its car infotainment systems. Volvo announced in 2017 that it would use the Android operating system and, a year later, the integration of voice-activated Google assistants, Google Play Store, Google Maps and others Google services in its next generation Sensus infotainment system. lvo.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced Tuesday that it would use the technologies of Harman and Google to develop its connected car services. Google's Android operating system will equip the next version of FCA with its Uconnect multimedia information system, while Samsung's proprietary Harman Ignite Cloud platform will take care of services outside the car.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has also publicly announced plans for the Android Android operating system as well as other automakers that Google can not reveal for the moment, said Ramic.

"The interest is very high," said Ramic, noting that a growing number of companies have realized the benefit of leveraging Google's expertise.

This is a change in the traditional protective position of automakers that aimed to prevent Google from entering the car. But as the gap between the capabilities of smartphones and car multimedia information systems grows, automakers have been more willing to turn to Google.

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