Google desires to make it simpler to make use of Zoom out of your automobile
Google introduced it might add video conferencing apps to its Android-based built-in automobile software program on the Google I/O annual convention on Wednesday (Could 11).
Dubbed Android Auto, Google says the software program will probably be obtainable in 200 million automobiles by the top of the yr. Particularly, the replace will add performance for Zoom, Microsoft Groups, and Webex by Cisco, permitting drivers to “be a part of essential conferences with out taking your eyes off the highway.”
“Whereas we’d all like to take heed to music or make amends for our favourite podcast throughout our commute, typically visitors or work has different plans,” David Dandeneau, an engineering lead on the venture, stated when introducing the brand new performance on the assembly.“[This feature allows you] to affix a scheduled assembly with out fumbling to your cellphone.”
It is only one of a slew of recent options automakers have lately rolled out which are slowly turning automobiles into glorified computer systems. Google additionally introduced that Android Auto customers might now watch YouTube movies and play video video games whereas parked.
The addition is a part of a rising, post-pandemic expectation that workers will be capable of work from wherever and all over the place, apparently together with moments when they’re caught in visitors. The totally different telework software program functions will solely be obtainable in audio. Just about no automobiles in the marketplace function a driver-facing digital camera.
Tesla already integrated Zoom audio performance into its in-car software program final yr, and Mercedes-Benz introduced its “Superscreen” would function Zoom and WebX performance, in addition to TikTok and Offended Birds.
Some security advocates query the transfer, pointing to the rise in mileage loss of life charges even all through the pandemic when, relieved of their every day commutes, many drivers spent much less time on the highway.
Quotable: All the things is a pc lately
“We actually designed the Mannequin S to be a really subtle pc on wheels. Tesla is a software program firm as a lot as it’s a {hardware} firm. An enormous a part of what Tesla is, is a Silicon Valley software program firm. We view this the identical as updating your cellphone or your laptop computer.”
— Tesla CEO Elon Musk (all the best way again in 2015), who is taken into account one of many pioneers of including private tech to automobiles.
The tyranny of the touchscreen: Tech in automobiles by the digits
1986: The yr the Buick Rivera, the primary automobile to function a touchscreen, was launched. The display was 3 inches x 4 inches and featured inexperienced textual content on a black show.
97%: Share of recent automobiles that function not less than one contact display.
25%: Share of recent automobiles which have a “command show” bigger than 11 inches.
17 inches: The scale of the Tesla show, which was the primary firm to make use of touchscreen expertise for nearly all the automobile’s options and performance.
56 inches: The scale of the Mercedes Benz EQS touchscreen, the most important within the trade. It’s truly made up of three related screens spanning the complete size of the dashboard.
60%: Common worth enhance for automobiles between 2012 and 2022.
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