Google: 'Sorry, I Was Driving' Is No Longer an Excuse for Missing Video Calls

pcmag.com:

For better or worse, Google's latest Android Auto update makes time spent in the car more productive thanks to a new integration with Microsoft Teams, WebEx by Cisco, and Zoom.

"Soon you’ll be able to join important meetings without taking your eyes off the road," Google says. "You can easily join a scheduled meeting by audio from your display."

Google did not confirm a timeline for the capability, but says it will roll out "soon," so get ready for status updates on work projects as your co-workers speed down the highway.

Android Auto—which Google expects to be available in nearly 200 million cars by year's end—got a long-promised overhaul at CES 2023, but Google announced several more updates as part of its I/O developer conference today.

Beyond Android Auto, Google also offers Google built-in(Opens in a new window), which is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than connecting to the dash screen via the driver's personal device like Android Auto, Google built-in is the dash screen operating system.

Brands like Chevrolet, Honda, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo are adopting Google built-in as a means of bringing their dash-screen capabilities closer to that of a mobile phone or computer. As PCMag saw at CES earlier this year, the car industry is moving toward more in-car entertainment alongside the rollout of autonomous driving features. Google expects the number of cars with Google built-in will more than double by the end of 2023.

"US drivers spend almost 70 billion hours behind the wheel every year," Google says. "But thanks to bigger screens and more advanced technology built into vehicles, it can be time well spent—with apps and features specifically designed to help you make the most of your drive."

Those with Google