Android Auto has always been a streamlined and secure version of your smartphone on your car’s dashboard, limited to specific apps and features to minimize driver distractions. Following the recent arrival of YouTube with its restricted features, Google is now planning to bring “work” into the car’s cabin, but this time not for entertainment, but to serve employees and those who want to get things done on the go.
Google Confirms: Meet Coming to Car Screens
Google has officially confirmed via its Workspace updates website that a version of its popular meeting app, Google Meet, will be available “soon” for Android Auto users, without specifying a precise release date. While the company hasn’t revealed all the details, its actual launch of the feature on Apple CarPlay gives us a clear picture of what to expect.
Audio-Only Meetings for Safety
Based on the CarPlay version that Google has already begun rolling out, the in-car version of Meet won’t be as comprehensive as on a computer or phone. Instead, it will be subject to strict limitations to ensure safe driving:
No Video: When joining a meeting, you won’t be able to see the participants, and your camera won’t be activated.
Audio-only: You will only be able to hear and participate in discussions via your microphone.
A word of caution for organizers: If the meeting organizer shares their screen for a demonstration, it will not appear on the car’s screen, making it less than ideal for meetings that rely on visual presentations.
Upcoming features: The Android Auto app is expected to allow users to view upcoming meetings directly from the screen, a feature already enabled by default in CarPlay. The app will be available to all users, including personal accounts and Google Workspace subscribers.
With this move, Google aims to enhance the concept of the “mobile office,” allowing employees who spend a lot of time in traffic to stay connected with their teams while maintaining the highest safety standards behind the wheel.
