Google is preparing a new feature for its native car OS, Android Automotive, called “AppCards,” which functions similarly to Apple’s Live Activities.
The idea of an “AppCard” is to allow apps to show information on the homescreen in a readily available way, but while allowing the design of the card to still be shaped by the overall OS.
Google explains:
An AppCard is a grouping of UI elements with styling controlled by the OEM, and populated with information provided by apps. AppCards display an app’s most relevant data and functionality to users in a way that is accessible and always available.
A handful of demos are shown by Google, with “AppCards” for weather, calendar, and media.
Meanwhile, the folks at Android Authority showed a demo of what this looks like on the homescreen.
There’s no real limit on what an “AppCard” can do on Android Automotive, but Google offers a few suggestions including:
- Display the status of a takeout food order to a driver while en route.
- Show photos to passengers in vehicles to form a pleasant ambiance.
- Track and periodically update the price of crypto coins for investors.
In a lot of ways, it really feels like Live Activities on iOS and, with the latest update, CarPlay.
When might drivers start seeing “AppCards” in their vehicles? While the feature has launched around the same time as the Android 16 update for AAOS, it’s an “unbundled” feature, meaning we could very likely see it delivered via updates to older versions of the platform. But it will still require a system update as well as app updates. So, don’t expect to see these launching in the immediate future.
As for Android Automotive OS based on Android 16, there are quite a few visual tweaks throughout. This includes some updates to the dashboard view on the homescreen, updated volume panel, tweaked notification panel, UWB support, and more visual tweaks in the app drawer.
More on Android Automotive:
- Google Maps will get a new look to match your car, starting with Polestar
- Google building audio-only mode for driving ahead of video apps on Android Auto
- Volvo cars will get new Android Automotive features faster, including Gemini
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