INTEGRATION of smartphones into everyday driving has become the norm, and now Google has made the experience even better and safer. Android Auto introduces two new features that Android phone users, especially Pixel owners, have already come to love, that promise a simpler and safer experience on the road.
The latest update to Android Auto brings Call Screening and Call Notes. Both are designed to make life easier behind the wheel, but the star of the show is the former, which uses your phone’s smart capabilities to deal with unknown or unwanted calls before they even distract you.
Filter calls before they disturb you
When a call comes in from an unknown number, users can set the system to automatically ask the caller who they are and why they are calling. The answer is then displayed on the infotainment system screen. Based on this, the driver can decide whether to answer, ask additional questions through the system, send a generic response or simply decline the call, all without taking their eyes off the road.
Automatic notes during conversations
Another feature, “Call Notes,” works like a personal assistant that listens to conversations and extracts key information from them. This tool, introduced with the Pixel 9 series, generates a text summary of the conversation, allowing drivers to review important details later. This eliminates the need to jot down notes or memorize information while driving, which significantly improves safety.
Keeping up with the competition
Google’s move is in response to similar features introduced by Apple, after an iOS update brought call screening to CarPlay. Now both leading ecosystems offer solutions to disruptive calls, which is a big win for the safety of all road users.
Android Auto has grown from a simple screen mirroring app into a robust driving assistant, and features like these make it even more desirable. If it works as smoothly in the car as it does on phones, it could become an indispensable tool for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road.
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