Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/eWeLink
Bringing apps to Android Auto and CarPlay has become a priority for software developers worldwide, and it all happens for a simple reason. Nobody wants users to leave their apps behind when they drive, as offering a consistent and uninterrupted experience is what most users are looking for.
Systems like Android Auto and CarPlay allow users to remain connected to their apps and interact with the mobile device distraction-free, either with voice commands when the vehicle is in motion or with touch on the infotainment screen when it's parked.
The number of developers joining the Android Auto and CarPlay worlds keeps growing, and this week, another important name stepped into Google's playground.
eWeLink, an application that allows users to control their smart homes from their mobile devices, is now available on Android Auto.
The dev team announced on X (formerly Twitter) that eWeLink version 5.7 for Android includes support for Android Auto, allowing users to "tap the scene name on the car's display, and the preset smart home actions will be activated seamlessly."
The Android Auto integration brings essential actions at a one-tap distance. For example, if you want to open and close the garage door, you can find the action on Android Auto, so you no longer have to pick up your mobile device. However, all scenes must be configured on your smartphone, with the data to be available on Android Auto when the device is connected to the vehicle.
You don't have to do anything to get eWeLink on Android Auto other than updating the application to version 5.7 or later. Once you install a supported version, the app icon should appear on Android Auto after you connect the mobile device to the vehicle. If the app doesn't show up, you must make sure eWeLink is up-to-date on your phone.
Smart home apps make perfect sense on phone mirroring systems like Android Auto and CarPlay. They allow users to control their smart homes when arriving or leaving home without unlocking their mobile devices, making simple actions like opening the garage door and turning on the lights more straightforward and convenient.
However, the Android Auto app ecosystem is set to expand significantly in the coming months. A new project announced by Google at I/O this year will allow applications built for large screens to land on Android Auto automatically.
Google says it'll scan apps published on the Play Store to determine if they can land in the car without further modifications. The program will launch this year, and developers can already submit requests to have their apps scanned if they believe the software is ready for the car experience. The same program will also target Android Automotive, Google's embedded OS aimed at new-generation vehicles.
The number of developers joining the Android Auto and CarPlay worlds keeps growing, and this week, another important name stepped into Google's playground.
eWeLink, an application that allows users to control their smart homes from their mobile devices, is now available on Android Auto.
The dev team announced on X (formerly Twitter) that eWeLink version 5.7 for Android includes support for Android Auto, allowing users to "tap the scene name on the car's display, and the preset smart home actions will be activated seamlessly."
The Android Auto integration brings essential actions at a one-tap distance. For example, if you want to open and close the garage door, you can find the action on Android Auto, so you no longer have to pick up your mobile device. However, all scenes must be configured on your smartphone, with the data to be available on Android Auto when the device is connected to the vehicle.
You don't have to do anything to get eWeLink on Android Auto other than updating the application to version 5.7 or later. Once you install a supported version, the app icon should appear on Android Auto after you connect the mobile device to the vehicle. If the app doesn't show up, you must make sure eWeLink is up-to-date on your phone.
Smart home apps make perfect sense on phone mirroring systems like Android Auto and CarPlay. They allow users to control their smart homes when arriving or leaving home without unlocking their mobile devices, making simple actions like opening the garage door and turning on the lights more straightforward and convenient.
However, the Android Auto app ecosystem is set to expand significantly in the coming months. A new project announced by Google at I/O this year will allow applications built for large screens to land on Android Auto automatically.
Google says it'll scan apps published on the Play Store to determine if they can land in the car without further modifications. The program will launch this year, and developers can already submit requests to have their apps scanned if they believe the software is ready for the car experience. The same program will also target Android Automotive, Google's embedded OS aimed at new-generation vehicles.
Google News