CODEWITHSUNDEEP
android-automotive
Chris Cartland
Chris Cartland

Reputation: 3278

What is the difference between developing apps for Android Automotive OS and Android Auto?

Google released developer documentation for Android Auto in 2014 and Android Automotive OS in 2019. What is the difference?

Android Auto: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2014/11/begin-developing-with-android-auto.html

Android Automotive OS: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2019/05/developing-apps-for-android-automotive.html

Upvotes: 0

Views: 1018

Answers (1)

Chris Cartland
Chris Cartland

Reputation: 3278

Short answer: Android Automotive OS runs natively in the car, while Android Auto runs on the phone and can be projected to the car over USB or Wi-Fi.

Android Auto

  • Runtime: Runs on the phone, displays on the phone or projected by the phone to the car
  • App architecture: App developer extends mobile app, all user setup happens in the mobile app
  • UI: Google's Android Auto app draws every UI pixel, everything is optimized for driving

Android Automotive OS

  • Runtime: Android OS runs on the car, phone is not required
  • App architecture: Developer deploys an APK specifically for the car, all user setup happens in the car (parked UI)
  • UI: Google, the OEM, and the app developer draw UI, some screens are optimized for driving
    • Developers create the setup / login / settings UI for the car (parked UI)
    • Google publishes source code for an AOSP media UI (OEM takes responsibility of driver safety, not Google)
    • OEMs make adjustments to the media UI to fit their screens (driving UI)

Upvotes: 3

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