Android Auto 13.7

 Release of Android Auto 13.7 

Android Auto is your smart driving companion which helps you stay focused, connected and entertained with the Google Assistant. With a simplified interface, large buttons and powerful voice actions, Android Auto is designed to make it easier to use apps that you love from your phone while you’re on the road. Google has just promoted Android Auto 13.7 to the stable channel, with the first users getting it. Android Auto updates roll out using a phased-based model, meaning that not everybody receives these new versions on day one. This approach allows Google to monitor the rollout and collect critical reliability data, finding bugs in an early stage.

The process typically takes up to several weeks, so depending on this rollout process, you could receive the Android Auto update today or sometime in the near future. However, you can get the update much faster by downloading the stand-alone APK installer to deploy it on your device manually. This rollout model gives Google more time to suspend the rollout and prevent a potentially buggy Android Auto update from hitting users' devices. If you're looking for a changelog, Google no longer shares such information when new Android Auto updates start rolling out. The company rarely discusses Android Auto updates, but previous APK teardowns provided us with a closer look at some of the features in the works at Google.

Just say “Ok Google” to...

• Make calls using Google Assistant and answer incoming calls with just a tap.

• Route to your next destination using Google Maps or Waze with real-time GPS navigation and traffic alerts.

• Avoid distractions while driving by setting a custom do not disturb message while driving.

• Get updates on your route, ETA and hazards in real-time.

• Access your contacts folder and send and receive messages with the Google Assistant using SMS, Hangouts, WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, WeChat, Kik, Google Allo and other available messaging apps.

• Set reminders, get updates on the news and check last night’s score.

• Manage your infotainment system like never before. Listen to your favourite media apps including Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, TIDAL - High Fidelity Music Streaming, Napster Music and Deezer. Other music, radio, news, sports news, audiobook and podcast apps are also supported.

• Have the Google Assistant check your calendar for you so you know where you need to be.

The process is known as side loading and gives users the power to update to new app builds without relying on the Google Play Store. For Android Auto, you can download the version 13.7 APK build, save it on your device, browse to its location, and tap the file to begin the update. Depending on your device configuration, you might be prompted to enable special permissions to allow the installation of apps from non-Google Play Store sources. Google is working on bringing games, browsers and video apps to Android Auto, and running this software on a higher-resolution screen will make more sense. Google wants to provide Android Auto users with uncompromised quality, and once YouTube and Netflix become available in the car, watching videos will make more sense. The number of compatible apps is always growing! For a full list of compatible apps, go to g.co/androidauto.

One of the most important changes planned for Android Auto is the support for higher screen resolutions. Car displays evolve fast, and some brands offer premium screens with higher resolutions for improved quality. Android Auto will soon support higher resolutions, and it's believed the decision to update the app on this front will come as new app categories are unlocked soon. A beta program to unlock these app categories on Android Auto is projected to begin later this year, but Google will share more information closer to the launch date. The company's I/O developer conference will take place in the spring, and there's a good chance the event will witness the debut of more apps on Android Auto.

To use Android Auto, you’ll need a phone running Android 6.0 or higher and an active data connection. Over 400 car models now support Android Auto! To find out if your car display is compatible and how to enable it, check your owner’s manual or contact your car’s manufacturer. Once enabled, use a high quality USB cable to connect your phone to your car, then launch Android Auto to get going. This release may come in several variants. Consult to see which download is right for you.