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AppWizard

December 27, 2025

5 Free Android Auto Apps You Should Always Have Installed

Gemini AI in Android Auto introduces new features to enhance the driving experience, dependent on the installed applications. Key recommended apps include: - AntennaPod: A podcast app that offers millions of podcasts, imports libraries from various sources, and features playback controls, queue management, and user privacy with an ad-free, open-source model. - Fuelio: An app for monitoring fuel consumption, mileage, and costs for various vehicle types, providing insights into fuel efficiency and vehicle-related expenses, with a straightforward interface for logging data. - PlugShare: An app for locating electric charging stations, featuring over 70,000 listings, trip planning capabilities, community-driven information, and filters for speed and plug types. - SpotHero: A digital marketplace for finding and reserving parking in major cities, allowing users to compare prices and amenities, view bookings, and receive navigation assistance. - TuneIn Radio: An entertainment app offering access to over 120,000 live radio stations, podcasts, and music stations, with a user-friendly interface and an option for an ad-free Premium subscription. The selected apps are free to use, address real-world challenges, and have received positive feedback, averaging ratings above 4.3 in the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

I tested Gemini’s driving experience at Google I/O

Google is set to launch the Gemini update for Android Auto, enhancing hands-free functionality for drivers. The update will feature different experiences based on vehicle compatibility, with around 250 million cars supporting Android Auto and about 50 models equipped with Google built-in. Gemini allows for voice control independent of an Android smartphone, enabling tasks like adjusting climate settings through natural language commands. Vehicles with Google built-in will have access to the Google Play Store and integrated car manuals. Gemini will also include offline capabilities and streamline trip planning via voice commands. Most features will be available across all vehicles with Android Auto, with a rollout expected in the coming months. The pre-release version showed improved reliability over the previous Google Assistant.

BetaBeacon

May 21, 2025

Google I/O 2025: Android Auto and Automotive OS Get Smarter

Google introduced major updates to Android Auto and Android Automotive OS at Google I/O 2025, signaling a push into the connected car space. Gemini AI is making its in-car debut, offering natural voice controls and contextual awareness. Navigation apps can integrate Gemini for voice-driven navigation and search. App categories are expanding across platforms, with weather apps out of beta, games entering beta, and video apps on the roadmap. Google is providing new tools and templates for developers to streamline car app development. The roadmap includes features like audio-only playback for video apps while driving and Quick Share between phone and car. The Android-powered car is becoming a standard, inviting developers to build innovative experiences beyond navigation and playlists.

AppWizard

December 10, 2024

Android 16 gets ready to let Gemini control everything from alarms to video (APK teardown)

Google has released the first developer preview of Android 16, introducing features aimed at enhancing user experience, including "app functions" that allow Gemini, Google's AI assistant, to perform actions within various applications. An APK teardown has revealed potential functionalities, such as creating alarms in Samsung Clock, deleting notes in Samsung Notes, and updating tasks in Samsung Reminders. The identified categories of tasks for Gemini include: - Browser: Create and find bookmarks, find tabs, get histories, show site, update bookmark. - Calendar: Create events, find and update events. - Camera: Scan documents, take photos. - Clock: Create alarms and timers, find and update alarms and timers. - Email: Create email drafts, find accounts and emails, send and update emails. - Files: Find files. - Maps: Get directions and find places. - Messages: Find and forward messages, reply and send messages. - Music: Create personal playlists, find music items. - Nearby Sharing: Find nearby devices, share files. - Notes: Create and find folders and notes. - Phone: Accept and make calls. - Photos: Create and find albums. - Tasks: Create and find task categories and tasks. The functionality of the "Types" category is unclear, and none of these functions are currently live. Further developments are expected as Android 16 progresses.

Winsage

August 15, 2024

Windows adds fluid new Nearby Share option for linked Android phones

Microsoft is integrating Nearby Share into its Phone Link app to enhance the connection between Android devices and Windows PCs. This feature is currently available in the Preview Channel and will soon be rolled out to public versions of Windows. Users can connect their Android phones to their PCs via Phone Link, allowing them to manage messages and view photos seamlessly. Nearby Share will be accessible in the native share menu for file transfers, streamlining the process compared to Google’s Quick Share app. Initially, Nearby Share will be available to Windows Insider users on both Windows 10 and 11, with plans for a public release in an upcoming update. To use this feature, users need to connect their Android phone to their PC using the Link to Windows app. File sharing can be initiated by right-clicking the desired file on the PC and selecting the Nearby Share option. Users can also send files from their Android phones to their PCs using the Link to Windows Send to PC option.

AppWizard

June 17, 2024

Lost Your Android Phone? Here’s How Google Will Let You Find It Easily Despite It Being Offline

To add a device to the 'Find My Device' network, open the app, sign in to your Google account, click on 'Enter screen lock', enter the device's PIN, go to 'Settings', click on 'Google', then 'Find My Device', and finally 'Find your offline devices'.