C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google has added Climate to its record of supported app classes for Android Auto and Android Automotive.
- Climate apps allow you to see climate information related to your present location or alongside your route.
- If you happen to’re on the lookout for a climate app that works with Android Auto and Android Automotive proper now, there are luckily two apps you possibly can already strive.
For security causes, Google restricts the kinds of functions builders can distribute for Android Auto and Android Automotive, each of that are used solely in autos. Slightly than particular person approvals, Google created a set of classes apps should fall below to be supported. As of this month, climate apps have been added to that record, opening the door to new apps that allow you to see climate information related to your present location or route.
Android Auto apps may be one of many following classes: Media (audio), Messaging, Navigation, Level of Curiosity (POI), and Web of Issues (IoT). These apps can be utilized whereas driving or parked. Android Automotive helps the identical classes, besides there’s no Messaging, and it provides help Video, Video games, and Browsers, that are solely obtainable when the car is parked.
At Google I/O earlier this yr, Google introduced that it will carry messaging and VoIP apps to vehicles working Android Automotive. It additionally teased that the Video, Video games, and Browsers classes can be expanded to Android Auto and {that a} new Climate class would quickly open up in beta entry for builders. Google didn’t say when precisely it will welcome these classes, however earlier this week I seen that the corporate had up to date its record of supported app classes for Android Auto and Android Automotive to incorporate the brand new Climate possibility.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Right here’s the record of supported app classes for Android Auto and Android Automotive as of as we speak:
Normal App Classes
| Class | Platforms | Publishing Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Media – audio | Android Auto and Android Automotive OS | All observe sorts |
| Messaging | Android Auto | All observe sorts |
| Navigation | Android Auto and Android Automotive OS | All observe sorts |
| Level of Curiosity (POI) | Android Auto and Android Automotive OS | All observe sorts |
| Web of Issues (IoT) | Android Auto and Android Automotive OS | All observe sorts |
| Climate | Android Auto and Android Automotive OS | Inner Testing tracks, Closed Testing tracks, and Open Testing tracks |
Parked App Classes
| Class | Platforms | Publishing Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Video | Android Automotive OS | All observe sorts |
| Video games | Android Automotive OS | Inner testing tracks |
| Browsers | Android Automotive OS | Inner Testing tracks |
Google expects climate apps that can assist you see related climate data associated to your present location or alongside your route. Climate apps can optionally present navigation capabilities that can assist you get from level A to level B. Whereas builders can distribute climate apps for each Android Auto and Android Automotive through the Google Play Retailer, the class is at the moment in beta, limiting distribution to inside, closed, and open testing tracks. Builders will be capable to distribute climate apps by way of manufacturing (i.e. open to anybody) tracks “at a later date.”
Builders creating climate apps for Android Auto and Android Automotive are inspired to make use of the Android for Automobiles App Library, which supplies useful templates. These apps should adhere to Google’s automotive app high quality tips, together with particular necessities for the Climate class. For instance, climate data on map tiles should use easy legends (not more than three), forecast data should use simply readable icons and symbols, forecast intervals can’t be personalized utilizing templates, and a most of 5 distinctive climate map annotations may be proven per view.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
A photograph of the Climate & Radar app for Android Auto.
Though the official Climate class is barely now in beta, some climate apps have already been obtainable on the Google Play Retailer for Android Auto and Android Automotive. A climate app known as “Climate & Radar” has been obtainable since early final yr, whereas one other climate app named “MyRadar Climate Radar” launched earlier this yr. These two apps are at the moment obtainable for obtain, however when you want different choices, then you’ll need to attend for extra apps to be launched below the brand new Climate class.
