Google puts unannounced Android variant on 4k touchscreen in Maserati

Google, together with Qualcomm, has converted a Maserati Ghibli and set up a large touchscreen with a hitherto unknown variant of Android N. The concept seems to be intended to interest car manufacturers in an advanced version of Android Auto.

With the new variant of Android N, users can control every part of the car, including the seats and heating, Android Police writes. The large touchscreen, presumably around 17″ allows users to do multiple things at once, and the interface takes advantage of Android N’s multi-window capability to display multiple things at once, such as music, traffic, and phone calls.

Unlike Android Auto, this variant of Android does not run on a phone, but in the car itself. Qualcomm and Google bought and converted a Ghibli to house the system. Google shows the car at its developer conference I/O.

The system can use not only the primary touchscreen, but also the dashboard, on which Android can also show data, such as which song the system is playing and directions for navigation. The system runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820A, a variant of the smartphone soc aimed at the automotive industry

The proof-of-concept should convince car manufacturers to use the system. Presumably, manufacturers can change the interface or remove Google services altogether, as is also possible with the regular version of Android. Earlier there was already an indication that Google was working on an ‘Android Automotive’.

Google also announced that Android Auto will no longer require a compatible car or other hardware from later this year, The Verge writes. The app is getting an update, which makes it possible to start the interface on the phone. Drivers can also use the smartphone as an in-car system. The audio can also come from the phone, so no connection to the car is necessary.