At first it seemed like it was going to disappear, but then Google brought back the new driving mode and made it more relaxed than ever, especially considering the previous version and what it offered compared to Android Auto. We went on a trip with the new car driving mode to discover that The new driving mode is a solution if there is no Android Auto, but it is mainly a step backwards.
This is Google’s new driving mode for travel
The first thing is to activate it, we quickly remind you how to do it: in the mobile settings we go to Google and there we follow the route.Search, Assistant and Voice‘ > ‘Google Assistant‘ > ‘Transportation‘ > ‘Driving mode‘ and we activate it. Another reminder: this mode simplifies the Android mobile experience to adapt it to driving and the needs that we may have on the road, constituting an alternative for those who have a car without a screen with Android Auto.
With driving mode activated, we entered my Volkswagen Polo with its mobile support, placed the phone and opened Google Maps to indicate the destination route: from Madrid to Pamplona, the trip chosen for the test. If you were using Google Maps without this mode enabled, you will notice the difference in the bottom box that appears a black bar with the Google Assistant icon and gear icon settings, left and right respectively.
As can be seen on the activation screen or when accessing these very simple settings, so that This driving mode is operational in all its splendor of options, it is essential to allow calls and display messages, which is how we tested it. However, if you prefer an experience with fewer distractions, you can always keep these options disabled and enable Do Not Disturb mode. You can also turn off the driving mode itself.
Notably The new driving mode has been reduced to the bare minimum: Use the browser, which directly accesses Google Assistant, sends and receives calls and messages as well as simple and basic media control.
But before we begin, let me a set of pieces: We said browser and multimedia but we cannot use just any of them, only Google’s default applications work (since even Waze, owned by Google, does not adapt). So it goes with
Google Maps and in the case of multimedia, you have to manually open the streaming music application as you would outside the car (I used Prime Music Unlimited, but the same with Spotify) unless you have YouTube Premium . Moreover, when a compatible application is open, it will appear in the lower area, occupying a horizontal strip.
What we liked the most was the Maps experiencebecause hey, it’s actually the same thing as what we would have without this driving mode: it works well, offers alternative routes, alarms and audible indications, speed limits, radar alerts and also warning messages. warning if applicable.
To avoid fines Your thing is to use the voice assistant, something that can be done by invoking it with the classic “Ok, Google”. Of course, also touching the icon, but that’s an offense. With this open we can send messages, make calls or make multimedia requests (with the limitations described above).
In our case, we did things like changing the song on Amazon Prime Music or increasing the volume, for which it worked wonderfully, to trying to make calls and reply to WhatsApp messages, with mixed results, as we we will explain it.
‘Ok Google, call my mistress‘ seems like a short and specific enough query that the assistant can execute it without difficulty, but surprisingly, it calls a random landline number. We canceled the call and ended up calling the old fashioned way. Unexplainable mystery.
Throughout the trip, we received several messages from WhatsApp and here the new driving mode is up to par. It can be read simply by pressing the “Read message” pop-up button and you can also reply to it by following a sequence with Google Assistant in which you must indicate who you want to reply to and what, then confirm. It’s slow, but works moderately well.
Although the Google Assistant can save you from trouble for messages or changing songs and it is already worth it compared to using the mobile phone without driving mode, both for safety and to avoid fines, the reality is that this new record deserved more, more options, more applications available and ultimately, a more complete experience. Today there are alternative launchers that paint your face like Car Launcher and even the alternative of putting a screen with really affordable models.
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