Get An Android Auto Experience From Your Existing Device With AutoMate

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This post was published 9 years, 7 months ago. Due to the rapidly evolving world of technology, some material it contains may no longer be applicable.

Have you ever wished you run Android Auto directly on your phone or tablet instead of having to purchase a new car with it built-in or a separate head unit? Well new app “AutoMate” gives you that Android Auto style experience directly on your existing Android device!

Many of you likely don’t plan to buy a new car soon and perhaps can’t afford (or justify the cost of) an Android Auto navigation system. Or maybe you would buy one but have a car which don’t support a Double-DIN head units. In either case, you may just have been wondering if it were possible to run Android Auto directly on your phone’s display, but for some reason Google did not make that possible.

Happily, developer “BitSpice” has released an app called “AutoMate” which has an Android Auto style interface which runs directly on almost any device with Android 1.6 and up.

From the developer:

AutoMate makes common services available to you from your device while you’re driving. With AutoMate, it is easy to get the right information at the right time, so you can focus on the road.

The interface is incredibly similar to what you’d find an Android Auto unit such as the new Pioneer NEX range but doesn’t use a secondary display. It instead displays everything directly on the same device it is running on.

This means you could mount your phone or perhaps a tablet in your car and use it as if it were an Android Auto unit. Perhaps you have an old Nexus 7 2012 or another small tablet lying around which isn’t getting much use lately – this could also be a great way to through some life into it.

It might even work well on one of the older Android head units which are mostly from Chinese makers and run more standard versions of Android. If you have one of those this might be a solution to the often sub-par default interface.

Currently AutoMate offers the following features:

• Maps and Places – Easily search for directions and launch your favourite navigation app for turn-by-turn directions. Search for nearby places like gas stations and restaurants, with one click.
• Phone and Messaging – Send texts, search contacts, and make calls through voice input, read texts out loud
• Contextual Information – Receive weather updates, see recent searches, call history, music, and more
• Media Control – Navigate through many popular media apps using buttons, swiping, or voice
• Shortcuts – Keep your favourite apps at your fingertips

AutoMate also has various interface options such a speedometer with your choice of speed units, the ability to keep your screen on an unlocked while in case, immersive mode support (Android 4.4+) and light and dark UI themes with an optional an Auto setting which, like Android Auto, switches between the two based on day and night.

Additional functionality is available for a premium via an in-app purchase of £2.53/$3.17. This includes extras such customizable backgrounds and the ability to set the AutoMate as your device’s default launcher.

The app is currently in beta and as such isn’t fully complete and thus may contain bugs, so bear that in mind if you decide to install it.

Should you wish to try it out though, you must join the Google+ community here and then apply to become a tester here. After doing so it may take some time for the listing to be visible in the Play Store so you can then install it to your device.

label_outlineAndroid Auto, AutoMate, BitSpice, car, navigation
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