Google Inc. Planning to Get Your Car Online

Google has been, in many ways, one of the most vibrant, innovative and dynamic tech companies of our time. And in the opinion of many experts, the search giant is the technology company of the future, and it’s easy to see why. Of late, Google has been doing almost everything. It seems they have an open innovation policy for their employees. The company seems to be researching projects in all spheres and industries, including health and medicine. Google also bought a string of robotics companies in the last few years, clearly signaling the company’s keen interest in robotics.More recently, Google is planning to offer much more than the typical smartphone connectivity. Apparently, the company has an upcoming in-car infotainment system. Going by the name ‘Android Auto’, this new connectivity will form the basis for a later to be released version of the Android OS engineered specifically for cars. Ideally, this new OS will allow automobile users to access the internet without necessarily using their smartphones.To make this project a reality, Google has partnered with various automakers to institute Android Auto in new car models. Android users and auto buffs will see the first of these models sometimes next month, at the Consumer Electronics Show event in Las Vegas. In the first installment (Android Auto), you’ll need your smartphone to connect to a compatible auto. But the new OS, currently dubbed Android M, will allow convenient connectivity to Google Maps, streaming music and a host of other apps on an independent basis.Currently, the projection is that Android M will come as a major step-up from Android Auto sometimes later in 2015 or 2016. This means that as soon as next month, Android Auto will be in competition with Apple’s popular CarPlay, which achieves similar functionality by expanding the iPhone touchscreen. But in the long run, Google could dominate the market with this new service, especially considered its more popular mapping technology.