BMW announces to offer Android Auto in July 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: The German multinational automaker, BMW has finally declared that it will offer Android Auto in its vehicles and the move will start in July 2020. With this, it will combine with Apple’s CarPlay in the brand’s vehicles. The first demo of Android Auto in a BMW car will occur live at CES 2020 next month.

After the initial impressions, it will be accessible to the drivers as an update in 20 countries but only with the cars that come with the BMW OS 7.0. The carmaker will assist Android Auto over a wireless connection, which will limit its comparability.

The senior vice president, Product Management BMW, Peter Henrich, said “The Google Assistant on Android Auto makes it easy to get directions, keep in touch and stay productive. Many of our customers have pointed out the importance to them of having Android Auto inside a BMW for using a number of familiar Android smartphone features safely without being distracted from the road, in addition to BMW’s own functions and services.”

Two years ago, the brand declared that it is not interested in offering Android Auto in its cars and instead, wants to focus more on its first-party apps so that the buyer can maintain complete power over the in-car interface.

BMW will now offer support for the popular Google Assistant after the previous approach on Cortana, Alexa and the BMW Assistant. It wanted to provide all the famous digital assistants, and Android Auto is the only way for the time being through which it can accommodate support for Google Assistant.

“We are excited to work with BMW to bring wireless Android Auto to its customers worldwide next year. The seamless connection from Android smartphones to BMW vehicles allows customers to hit the road faster while maintaining access to all of their favourite apps and services in a safer experience.,” said the vice president of engineering at Google, Patrick Brady.

Also Read: BMW to drop fees for Apple CarPlay subscription