Android Auto is the app to use mobile phone apps from your Android device in the vehicle’s screen. Samsung also developed a software solution for this. It’s called Samsung Auto and it has arrived to some vehicles in China only.
The new alternative for smart cars Samsung Auto is not available for every user yet. Right now it’s only available for cars with Baidu CarLife+ and ICC CarLink. You can use it wireless or through cable connection. It’s exclusive for China at least for now and this article explains what will Samsung for smart cars offer.
Samsung Auto the Android Auto alternative with One UI looks
The new Samsung Auto system integrates the customization layer One UI 7. It offers an app panel like Android Auto and compatibility with Bixby as voice assistant. For now, the system only works with China vehicles. Samsung created the new software solution thinking about the Chinese market, where Android Auto is not available because of the restrictions upon Google services.
In terms of use, it’s very similar to Android Auto. For example, when you open a music app, the interface and controls are pretty much the same. It also includes navigation features very similar to Google Maps, including on screen messages, step by step indications and route guides.
One of the most interesting features allows for address recognition for quick navigation. You can integrate this to several Chinese apps in order to show direct access in the right side of the screen. Then it’s only a matter of sending the address to your car in just a few seconds.
Right now it’s unknown if Samsung Auto will leave China. But if it ever does, it won’t be on the near future. There’s a high probability that Samsung Auto won’t ever reach the rest of the world as Android Auto is already present. The Korean company also needs to develop the system for compatibility with the rest of the smart car manufacturers. As Android Auto works perfectly fine with Galaxy devices, it’s a possibility that Samsung Auto won’t ever arrive to the west.
On the other hand, it’s curious that Samsung has developed a feature that only works in the Chinese market. Galaxy presence in the market is not that high, and there’s a small possibility that Samsung for smart cars gets western localization in the future.