Android Auto is finally shipping in cars, courtesy of Hyundai
Hyundai is now the very first car manufacturer to offer Android Auto built into a vehicle as standard.
The company’s 2015 Hyundai Sonata will ship with Google’s fledgling automotive software, beating rival carmakers to the punch.
Android Auto has been available for a while, but only as an aftermarket solution for your car.
What’s particularly interesting about Hyundai’s announcement is that current 2015 Sonata owners will also be able to access Android Auto.
Hyundai is making the software available through a dashboard update, although you’ll need to take it to a dealership first – US only for now, unfortunately.
The company will then provide you with a USB-transferrable software download, which is set to be available ‘later this summer’.
Related: Best Android Apps 2015
Google first announced Android Auto back at Google I/O 2014, showing off new ways of integrating software with cars.
When connected, Android Auto will make Google Maps the default navigation software for the vehicle.
You’ll also get connectivity with apps like Spotify, which will play music through your car speakers.
It lands as a rival to Apple’s car software package ‘CarPlay’, which was also available as an aftermarket system last year.
With this year’s Google I/O scheduled for May 28, just days away, it’s likely we’ll hear more about future prospects for the company’s vehicular OS.