Sometimes it doesn’t take a huge update to improve the experience of using an app; sometimes a simple change, probably a few lines of code, is enough to give users what they really want. For example, while Android Auto has improved a lot with the “Coolwalk” interface, a small change introduced these days may be even better for many users.
And it is that everything indicates that Google has finally eliminated the restriction of use Google Maps on mobile at the same time as Android Auto; In other words, it is now possible to continue browsing our maps with the mobile, even if Android Auto displays the Google Maps screen.
Originally, if we use Android Auto and open the Google Maps application, we can no longer open it on the mobile; an error message appears preventing you from continuing to use the app on mobile, and the only alternative is to close Android Auto to continue using Maps on mobile. The error message indicates that Unable to open maps when Android Auto is open.
Google Maps and Android Auto
Normally, this should not be a problem, if the version of Google Maps for Android Auto is identical to the mobile version; but this is not the case. Maps for Android Auto still lacks some basic features and cannot be used as a substitute for the normal application; probably because Google wants to avoid distractions, and prefers that we configure everything beforehand in Google Maps on mobile rather than doing it on the car screen.
Among the features that are not available, for example, access to user location lists; the Maps mobile app also displays more information about the destination. It’s very likely that Google has chosen to block access to Maps while Android Auto is running For safety reasons, to avoid distracted driving; however, it also implies that, if someone is accompanying us, they also cannot use our mobile phone to guide or help us.
Luckily, last February, Google already did some tests with a limited number of users, and apparently they were successful, as they are growing. Several users on Reddit can already access Google Maps while using Android Auto, and it’s expected to expand globally, although Google hasn’t made any public statement about it.
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