We all know you can’t use your cell phone while driving, but the temptation to respond to a WhatsApp when arriving while driving is very strong. Fortunately, there are ways to find out what these messages contain in order to respond to them, all without touching the phone. And without the risk of distractions or fines.
You get in the car, get in first place, take the walk to the destination and your mobile phone rings to alert you with a WhatsApp message. Will it matter, do you need an immediate response? No matter the context you should not use the phone while driving. Not only because the traffic authorities will fine you if they see you with your mobile in hand, especially because of the enormous risk of having an accident. What do you want to know what happens safely? The voice is your friend.
You can use your mobile with your voice
Although designed to be used with fingers, Android phones also work with voice. This makes it easier to use the phone in all situations, since there is not always an option to touch the screen to interact with the content. Like while driving, for example.
If you use your mobile phone in the car, two things can happen: you have a vehicle compatible with Android Auto, with the advantage that this brings for the connection with your smartphone, or your car does not have an Android Auto system. Android-compatible infotainment. In both cases you can send messages without any problemonly the way of interacting with the mobile varies.
Read and reply to messages on Android Auto
Since this operating system is designed to adapt to the driving environment, Android Auto lets you reply to WhatsApp messages using your voice. That’s where Google Assistant, the company’s smart assistant, comes in.
When you connect your mobile to the car, and provided that WhatsApp is already installed, messages reaching you will appear on the car screen
All the WhatsApp messages you receive will appear on the screen: you can have them read or reply by clicking on the icons
To make your car read the messages aloud, you need to do the following:
- Say “Ok Google” or tap the microphone icon.
- Tell the magicianread my posts“. Google Assistant will explain what they contain.
- You can also tap the notification and then “read aloud“.
- All received messages can be found in the notification view, under the bell icon. You can listen to any of these WhatsApps.
And to answer it it’s more or less the same thing:
- In the arrow icon, which appears below each notification, you can reply using your voice.
- You can also ask Google Assistant to reply to messages. Call the assistant and say “reply to message“.
- Moreover, you can send a WhatsApp to anyone, also with Assistant. Click the microphone icon and say “Send a WhatsApp to Juan“. Replace John’s name with the contact you want to communicate with.
Android Auto and WhatsApp work together so you don’t have to touch the phone to read and respond to chats. Only with voice or pressing screen and voice: it’s as practical as it is simple.
Read and reply to messages with your voice
Your car is not equipped with Android Auto? You can also use your voice to interact with Google Assistant; interact in turn with the phone itself. It’s a bit heavier, since you have no screen in sight (avoid using mobile), but it still works.
Tell your mobile “Ok Google: read the messages” will make the Assistant say aloud what you received. And you can also respond with your voice: say yes to Google Assistant when it asks you if you want to respond and explain what you want to include in the message. Confirm with “Send” and will be sent