Android Automotive Goes Mainstream: A Review Of GMs New Infotainment System
Android Automotive, Google's car operating system, has historically been niche, with only a handful of high-end cars running on it, like the Polestar 2. However, Android Automotive is now breaking into the mainstream, and we're starting Let's see some of the biggest car manufacturers adopt the operating system. Google in your scope.
Today we're reviewing the 2022 GMC Yukon, but it's actually General Motors' Android car system, and you'll see it spread throughout most of GM's lineup. The Hummer EV1 has the same basic setup, and since all the parts are made at GM, we should expect this system to appear in Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. With Ford and Honda soon entering the Android Automotive ecosystem, Google's automotive operating system will soon be everywhere.
Let's get the usual disclaimer out of the way: This article isn't about Android Auto, Google's connected phone app and Apple's CarPlay competitor. The full name Android Automotive (sometimes referred to as "Google Built In") implies that a car is a large Android device. The computer controls the car's infotainment system and this computer runs Android. Even if you have an iPhone in your pocket, it won't change your car's operating system (although it does support CarPlay). For most models, buying from General Motors means you're buying an Android-powered vehicle. During setup, you'll see a message on the screen: "By using this machine, you agree to Google's Terms of Service."
The idea here makes little sense. Consumers want their car's infotainment system to look and work like a smartphone, so why not just load the smartphone's operating system into the car? Then you get the smooth touchscreen navigation that people expect from modern computers. Android Automotive is Google's operating system and like phone companies, manufacturers such as Ford, GM and Volvo sign agreements with Google to license the operating system and various Google applications. On board this car is Google Maps, perhaps the most important application in the automotive industry. You also get Google Assistant voice commands and the Google Play Store for cars, giving you easy access to apps like Spotify and other media players.
Hardware: four screens, three operating systems
Repairing the car's computer is a strange suggestion, because the equipment is always very old. Cars take about five years to develop, and when the cars finally hit the market, the computer hardware isn't all that exciting. Our Android Car system hardware, internally called "General Motors Infotainment 3.7" or "gminfo37", is a 5 year old Intel Atom A3960 SoC with Intel HD Graphics 500, 6GB of RAM and 64GB of flash memory.
This isn't just a GM problem, and the Polestar 2 uses the same processor, although that system only has 4GB of RAM, which is why we classify both vehicles as "First Gen Android Car Devices." However, the age of the team is remarkable. Android Automotive doesn't let you download apps to a stock car, but check out the Geekbench Atom A3960 results and you'll see that the computer in this $78,000 car is barely faster than a $35 Raspberry Pi 4. The GMC Yukon and Polestar 2 have some of the slowest processors you can buy today in any form factor.
I'm sure the Atom A3960 went through a lengthy certification process to make sure it can handle the heat and vibration in harsh automotive environments, but it's disappointing that GMC is shipping mostly cheap PC components in 2016. Even if it has five years behind in hardware, in 2016 the company may start with mid-range and high-end Intel hardware instead of cheap Atom components.
- If car companies want a smartphone-like car, they should start with smartphone-like devices, nothing more.
These machines run on gasoline or a large battery , so CPU power consumption is not an issue. The carriages are already packed with fans, so there should be no problems with cooling either. If the goal of such projects is "to make the car work like a smartphone", then modern smartphone-level hardware will help companies achieve this goal.
As for the rest of the hardware, you get a generous 64GB of storage that you probably won't be able to fill even if you install all the apps from the (very limited) Automotive Play Store. However, packing lots of storage space is good car computer design. Cars last longer than phones and tablets and this 64GB memory will extend the life of your car computer. eMMC flash is not very reliable, but Android Automotive has a robust "Flash Wear Management" system with a life cycle of more than 10 years. Providing a larger storage bench allows better leveling of the lining and gives the system leeway to mark dead storage units, reduce total storage and save trucks.
Google says that if you're streaming music, the input bit cache can end up writing 50MB of data to the eMMC every minute, so even if you don't install apps all the time, flash wear is a big concern. Google claims that with 16 GB of daily access and 16 GB of free space, you'll run out of memory in 10 years (and storage problems will come sooner). The Yukon has about 38GB of free space, so it should be fine for a while.
Some Android Automotive vehicles may also be equipped with an SD slot (didn't see it on the Yukon) that formats Android as permanent "ok" memory that is expected to remain in the system. On supported systems, Android Automotive will move many of these daily activity logs to the SD card, and when the eMMC SD card fails, it simply discards it and pops in a new one, preventing the car's permanent storage from depleting flash memory. .
- Here's a Yukon 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It's not very flexible and almost always seems to be. Those two lines of data in the middle are all you'll get from Google Maps on the driver's screen.
- Compare GMC's performance with this : Polestar Cluster 2m, which can provide a rich mapping interface right in front of the driver. Wonderful.
The software is also old: it's Android Automotive 10 with the June 5, 2021 security patch. Android Automotive was released around the same time as stock Android, so the current version is 13, and this version is three years old. However, many cars don't get OS updates at all, so having a one-year security patch is a huge improvement for the automotive market. Still, three years of Android Automotive is tough, and we're going to talk about some of the Yukon's odd infotainment design decisions that have been fixed in new versions of the Automotive Android OS (AAOS).
I don't know if GM had much to choose from, but the Yukon doesn't seem to have been designed to be a responsive upgrade. The Yukon has four screens with three different operating systems, which should make maintenance impossible. You can do what you need to by touching the 10.2-inch, 1280x768 infotainment touchscreen in landscape, a far more conventional layout than Polestar's iPad-style system.
In addition to the screen in front of the driver, there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Security rules prevent group against using Android; It requires boards to never leave it, and that generally rules out anything Linux-based. The operating system of these meters is somewhat similar to Blackberry's QNX Operating System for Security, which aims to meet many of the security requirements of regulators around the world. However, I could not identify the operating system here.
Android can still interface with a non-Android touchpad, but GMC's implementation is very disappointing here. You'll see information about the song you're playing or your next turn for the Google Maps overlay, but you'll only get a small icon and a few lines of text. You can change what the left and right radio buttons show, but the layout is always the same, and it's always just text and a meter.
The Polestar 2 has a better implementation that takes advantage of the digital nature of the driver display and offers several very different layouts, including one that will display the full Google Maps interface right in front of the driver. The design of the Polestar 2 controller screen wasn't just prettier with more information; It was also safer to look at the map face-to-face than the center console screen. The gauge cluster display is the driver's primary interface, so GMC's implementation is disappointing.
- One of the two rear windows. It works on webOS, believe it or not.
- This "output list" is really the only interface. Sometimes Hulu appears as an option.
- Settings.
- This is your chance to send Hulu to the back screens. That's all they can show.
Things get pretty wild in the Yukon's back seat. Here we see screens 3 and 4 running the car's third operating system: LG's Web OS. The Yukon's second row features two 12.6-inch LG IR12PT touchscreens in the seats that look like something out of an airplane. These standalone tablets are practically useless; they have an HDMI input and can sometimes run Hulu, that's it. (Yes, you have to pay for Hulu.)
Working with the app in the backseat is also broken. Hulu will randomly appear and disappear as an option; this happened to us during testing and is a common complaint online. When Hulu is running, it appears next to the HDMI input options and opens a closed web browser. Some models (not ours) also have a YouTube app. Android Automotive does not interact in any way with these screens. On the main infotainment screen, you can remotely select the input (Hulu or HDMI) for either of the rear screens and you're done.
In GMC's defense, Google doesn't have a good solution for all those screens. In addition to the safety-focused display, I think you'll need a large Android Automotive computer to cost-effectively control the front and rear displays. You want car apps to work on all screens and maybe even let users log in on any screen to see their favorite apps and services. While cars may be on their way to that one-screen-for-every-seat future, Android Automotive isn't quite up to the task yet.
Android 10 was the first version to properly support multiple screens with features like launching an app on a specific screen, so Android Automotive 10 technically supports multiple screens as well. However, Android started out as a single-screen, single-user, single-app operating system, so multi-screen support is very easy and comes with a long list of limitations. You cannot run the same app on multiple screens. You cannot log in to multiple users at the same time. You cannot enable and disable individual screens, and you cannot link a specific input to a specific screen.
Android doesn't have the partitioning or virtualization needed to create a multi-user experience on multiple screens. However, Google continues to move closer to this ideal, and Android Automotive 11 can send specific audio to separate audio outputs, so two users can theoretically listen to different audio sources at the same time.
Very conservative AAOS setup
- There's a central touchscreen, but overall, the GMC Yukon is very button-friendly.gmc
- The home interface gives you a split screen of music and maps.
- Google Maps in full screen! Killer App for Android Automotive OS.
- Another killer app, Google Assistant.
- Here you can long press on app icons and move them to the sidebar.
- Music player.
- Support for multiple users.
- One of GMC's additions: the trailer site.
- Music on YouTube.
- Setup screen.
Logically, the most massive Android Automotive installation is also one of the most conservative. There are still plenty of buttons for all the usual climate controls and driving modes, so Android is only here for infotainment apps and maps.
For the basic interface, you get an always-on vertical label bar on the left for navigation, followed by a set of horizontally swappable pages. The first page is a basic home screen interface that shows music and maps on a split screen, just what I normally want from a car computer. The rest of the pages are a large 4×2 grid of app icons. If you like any of the apps in this grid, you can easily drag them to the sidebar, where you have up to six buttons. When you don't want to look at the screen, say "OK Google" or press the button on the steering wheel and Google Assistant will appear to give you best-in-class voice commands.
Performance is surprisingly good considering the older hardware, though it still falls short of modern smartphone or tablet standards. Everything happens and moves quite quickly. You can zoom in on Google Maps, which is pretty cool. It seems like we're at least five years behind current tech trends, which we were around when the 120Hz display craze started. We wonder how something as slow as the Atom A3960 will age over time, but for now the 60Hz performance is acceptable. The wizard is also quite fast when it comes to returning results and programs launch quickly.
If you swipe down from the top of the screen, you'll see the notification bar and the text "no notifications." Receive notifications from Android Automotive? There are no messaging apps for Android Automotive. There are messaging apps that can work with Android Auto (the phone app) and Google swears it has an API for a full car operating system, but nothing works. Sometimes you'll see something like a terms of service notice during installation, but the notification bar always sends notifications to Android Automotive, so it's useless.
- You are not allowed to apply skins to Google apps, and the GMC app icon design conflicts with Google app icons.
- What is that deadly hold button? Clicking on it blocks Google Play.
- The world's most devastating error message. The only button is "try again" and there are no reject buttons like "close" or "ok".
- The notification bar is always empty.
Most of the AAOS and GMC skins seem to be unfinished or fall victim to common first-gen issues. The design is a complete mess, as the art styles of GMC and Google are completely incompatible. Just one look at the icons reveals the split: GMC icons are monochrome, segmented lines with a black background, while Google apps use Google's regular full-color rainbow icons. You couldn't make them any different if you tried. As with regular Android phones, the base operating system is fully customizable, while Google's apps are not, and GMC's graphics don't even try to match.
I also encountered some glitches. One of the icons on the home screen says "Waiting". I don't know what it is for and what it does. When you click on it, the Play Store will display the message "Item not found". This Play Store error message only offers a "try again" button and won't let you close it, so this message will crash the Play Store app until you go to settings to force close or turn on the machine. Don't click the "hack Play Store" button.
The Play Store seems like a big plus on the machine, but it's not that good right now. There are about 2.5 million apps on the Play Store for phones that cover everything you want. Car Play Store has... 37 apps. Here is the full list. Even that number is boosted by pre-installed apps like Google Assistant, Google Keyboard and Google Maps, so there's not much to choose from. You get great apps like Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and Tidal, but nothing else. But hey, a lot of cars don't have software.
- Game Store. This really doesn't look like a big deal.
- Application on Play Market.
Devya kafe The application for new information may be more suitable for categories, if they are connected to Android Auto (including on the phone), if they will be used for all other functions. Another in the Automotive Shop has no programs for abmenu padeamlennyami. I need to make a big program at home, to prevent me from doing such a thing. You can not implement programs to use the code in gasoline, program, jaaya dsochvae, dze vы frыparkavaіsя, I keep many programs, I can create, and this is not possible.
Abmezavannі byaspek_ padchas кіravannya? good While prýparkavani? Nyamy.
Bispeka falls at the top of importance, it means a great strategic control, it will last from the campaign and a functional intelligence. So abmejavannі, realіzavanyya ў Android Automotive, perashkadjaєt karіstannyu a lot, chыm pavіnnny. Vyalíkía chirue іntэrfeysu pryignanыy for zakhtonga kіrowcі, jaki kirue system in 60 miles to gadzínu, without ulíku tago, that in the only right. What can you do? What can you do? This is not true.
Я яо казо н nsh н н Hold more than it should have more than it should have been abstalated, much more and ? Subscribe to a full message for Android Automotive is very important for a certain time, for a certain time.
Galoўnыm data here for Google Maps, to see an absolute maximum for such a tool for all other people, but to use the tax. Яяя салика аргентав Google Maps - this is a database from BS, in the month of October Look at kali mashыna staіц, vы abmejavanыya dzevyaццю vynіkami for the wanted love.
After you search to catch ● Google Maps on the phone or in kamp'utarы in you can open the kartu, if you will find a new change ў nęblascі, you will learn to do once at the beginning, but more. Patrabavannі byaspeі nakadvayuці грастае bzhavanne in dzevyacь еementaў d vnіaў posh, і і dasyane эtay ktay Takіm chыnam, and alobo pavіnnы spachatku gave tribute and fails, that he, who vы skaece, apыnetca †œ “ “ “ € œ â € œ â € œ â € œ â € œ â?
Takía n abmezavanní prymyanyayucca to multiply karыstalьnіцкаga іnterfeysu. In YouTube Music it is alphabetized in paradku, but it can't work in "A", so ў karыstallnіckіm інтрашать на гаста, гаста. Android Automotive does not have any updates, this is shukaetse, as well as this page is very useful. Ju ўjo pav_nnы vedacь, chago єєє, і dsyagnucі gэtaga, persh chыm іnterfeys zablak_rue vas. This sounds reasonable, but I am ignorant during my stay in the park.
This will not be the case . Android Automotive veda, or in the park. Nekatorыya frncіі, т ія latura qwerty, no ўючаются, cai vы nыhadzіcesya ў park, і і і дючаютьсяютьсяютьсяютьсяютьсяютьсяютьсяютсяютсяютьсяються GMC Yukon navat іdze jashchэ doley and shows përgadkavы ekran and «adklyuchënі blakіrovak», speaking about it. Усе этыя режимы ддочваня п eve I am not worried about kamp'jutaram and atone, that can not get rid of zadanne nga-man. Йон программе вас як мага радзей выкарыstoўvaць Android Automotive.
Such a thing is not the same, because Google uses the pavolьna program. In the Automotive Play Store there is another program to advance Vivaldi, to opt for Polestar, as well as not to use it. Эта выдетны prыkad "prыparkanaga" рыкадання, dze perada мной яя к кю, і і я я я я я я я nnx Rеalіzacыya Tesla знача bl_жей for tago, yak ja dumaj, pavínen works on a computer computer. In Teslas tsyaper navat ёsć dostup to check Steam. I am not too big to make a machine, or another, at home, I will not learn to store for the first time, just once in a long time doing a computer computer championship.
Hutka t mashыnы pobach from vami
Uaranene Android Automotive d Gm can not be renewed, let эta veizarnaya peramoga from Google and jashchэ dzіn sign т, ш .. In Google use Volvo/Polestar and GM, an unknown Ford and Honda.
Padobna in that, as far as I know to lose Android-telefonaў with a computer system — will create a device that cannot be used to prevent the use of such a suitable program, such a program cannot be used . This is what you can do a campaign, or Tesla, use other safe programs, but also others, use Volkswagen, focus on help. In the data of Ford, Honda and Subaru kalektівnія pazovы pachal_sya paslya tago, yak ju aposhnія gadы in the market where zієєє nyasya in their search. Actual, usable for the sale of CarPlay ad Apple and Android Auto, Google blocks this, which can use such a program that is not such a program for Tech.
With Android Automotive Google uses Google to create a circle. Google may refrain at a certain time from software programs that are powerless, to use (for example, from a horizon) by creating the administration of the return. Akramya таго, йон прынясе сайти забойчия прагамы, такан як Google Maps and Google Assistant, і нават краму прагамы. Just as this was a compelling offer for phone manufacturers, it is also an attractive offer for car manufacturers. І хорошо јова спаживцы ци не, many companies sign up.
The problem with traditional clumsy car campers is that you always want to ignore them because your phone offers the best experience. Although Android Automotive is a big step forward, it's still not the best for your phone, which makes it difficult to capture. There are many ways in which Android Automotive can be the best for your phone - it can be used with hardware that is not burdened by the size and low power consumption requirements of the phone, or it can be equipped with useful functions that take advantage of the huge screen or the unique multi-screen layout of the car . Android Automotive — and especially the GMC Yukon assembly — doesn't have any potential advantages. Цяжка назваць платформу участной, кали, honestly speaking, I would have been happier if I had taken my 6.7-inch phone in front of my 10.2-inch screen.
Still, it's a first-generation product, and many first-generation Android products are starting to get better and better. Але часто распрацовка и разработь размещение шамта часу, пройду гади, преч чим зявлять дрогего пакаленне діше систем.
good
- Цяжка спрачини з Google Maps on the big screen. Працес навигации, грумечы, что вы же знатье, куды выходит исти, фантастычный.
- Google Assistant gives you fast and accurate voice commands.
- The main screen that offers music and cards on a split screen is great. Usually these are two main car features that I need.
- Android Automotive manages to squeeze decent performance out of a very slow computer.
Дреннае
- Apparently, GM chose the cheapest computer parts they could find and waited five years before sending them.
- Автамабиль выставляе напаказ идею добрага интернету движиля кировчага кластара. It imitates physical cursors and does nothing else.
- Android Automotive has 37 programs, and that's not enough. Дзе программы образованиу мужский мами, чесы на бензин о программы для майго разоманага дома?
- Нават у парку просых Google Maps безымянный джевяццю выниками. Scrolling lists is useless, because you can't scroll down.
Пачварны
- Despite the potential advantages of the car computer, Android Automotive is still much less useful than the phone, even for limited automotive tasks, such as navigation.
