Android Auto gives you one less excuse to skip video calls while driving

News
By Jay Bonggolto
published

Microsoft Teams is finally joining Android Auto next month.

Photo of Android Auto home screen with new wallpaper.
(Image credit: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Prepare to join meetings or make hands-free calls while driving as Microsoft Teams lands on Android Auto in February.
  • Initial features focus on audio calls, with no news on messaging just yet.
  • Zoom and Webex have already been racing on Android Auto since last September, but Microsoft finally puts the pedal to the metal.

Microsoft is set to roll out support for Teams on Android Auto in February, expanding the platform beyond media and navigation apps.

As per the Microsoft 365 roadmap, Microsoft Teams is gearing up to hit Google's Android Auto soon (via TechRadar). That means if you've got Android Auto in your vehicle, you'll soon be able to hop on video meetings and make calls from the comfort of your car.

Google initially revealed Teams' arrival on Android Auto back in May during I/O 2023. But the company didn't say when it would actually happen. Fast forward to now, and Teams users have roughly one more month to savor the serenity of their vehicle before it invades their infotainment head unit.

Although the app is set to roll out next month, Microsoft is keeping us in the dark about the nitty-gritty details. All it's letting slip is that you can "join meetings and make calls" straight from the calendar view on your head unit.

The software giant keeps mum on whether Teams on Android Auto will play nice with messages. Back in the day, Android Auto was all about media and navigation, but times have changed. Last year, Google decided to mix things up by adding smart home apps and weather apps to the platform.

Since then, some of your favorite video conferencing services like Zoom rolled out its Android Auto app in September 2023, and Webex followed suit that very week. The Weather Channel and YouTube also hopped on the Android Auto train recently. Plus, the platform offers games for passengers, such as a version of Solitaire, to save their boring commute.

Both Android Auto and Android Automotive have been on a roll as car manufacturers left and right have decided to jump on the Google train in the past 12 months. According to Google, a whopping 200 million cars are now rocking Android Auto integration.

Jay Bonggolto
Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Deke218
    Why? Can't even have peace while driving? What has this world become? Shame.
    Reply
  • spARTacus
    I'll find it useful, from the perspective of being able to listen and participate in a Teams audio call/meeting through Android Auto as opposed to having to struggle with such from only the phone speaker.
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    Yes, because we're MORE distractions while driving.
    Reply
  • gomezz
    My view is that in car touch screens should be totally disabled unless the car is parked up (transmission in Park, handbrake on). A few physical buttons around the screen can be assigned the functionality needed while still on the move and depend on which app is on display including one to cycle through the active apps: Radio, sat-nav, media player etc.
    Reply
  • spARTacus
    In most vehicles nowadays, one can't control things except by multi-purpose touchscreen (eg: fan and climate control settings, changing radio band/tuning/volume/pre-sets) for things that used to be straightforward by dedicated knobs and levers/sliders or simple buttons.
    Reply
  • gomezz
    Indeed. And my view is that this is a move away from safer driving. With physical controls you can find and operate these without taking your eyes off the road.
    Reply
  • gwinegarden
    Yes, nothing better than jumping on a video call while you are cruising down the road. What could go wrong?
    Reply
  • spARTacus
    gwinegarden said:
    Yes, nothing better than jumping on a video call while you are cruising down the road. What could go wrong?
    Pretty sure what they have in mind for Teams with Android Auto, won't be about for video calls.
    Reply
  • spARTacus
    gomezz said:
    Indeed. And my view is that this is a move away from safer driving. With physical controls you can find and operate these without taking your eyes off the road.
    I can't disagree with you. Also, about moving away from practically and reliability for easier access of controls. However, all the manufacturers seem to be going with more multi-screen controls. It's almost like if they don't, too many customers will just pick a different model of vehicle that has it, for everyone to want gadgets.
    Reply