Google is rolling out many new features for Android 12 users, including digital car keys, which were initially announced at the Google I/O 2021 back in May. Google's digital car key announcement came almost a year after Apple first announced its CarKey feature that allows iPhone users to unlock their car with their phone. The feature uses the iPhone's built-in NFC chip and was initially available with iOS 14.
As for Google's digital car key technology, the company said that it would use Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology in supported devices so that users will be able to unlock their car without removing the phone from their pocket. For devices without a UWB chip, the feature will use NFC to let users open their vehicles by tapping it with their phones. Users can also share the virtual key with family and friends if multiple users share the car.
According to a Google blog post, the digital car key feature is currently limited to the Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21-series of smartphones but will be available on more devices in the future. However, the more significant stumbling block is that it is only available to select BMW models at this point. According to 9to5Google, all BMW cars launched in 2020 and 2022 are compatible with the feature, supporting more automotive brands expected in the future.
No Ultra Wideband Support For Now
The report further claims that the feature currently only supports NFC, which means users will have to tap their phone against their car to unlock them physically. However, it is eventually expected to support UWB in compatible devices like the Pixel 6 Pro, although there's no ETA for that yet. For the time being, both the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro will use NFC to implement the feature. Furthermore, the digital car key is currently supported in only a handful of countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and more.
Alongside digital car keys, other features coming to Android 12 devices as part of the new update include Smart Reply to help drivers respond to messages using Google Assistant while driving, as well as the ability to open Android Auto automatically when a device is connected to a compatible car. Google also announced a faster Search function for music in media apps, enabling users to just tap the search button and say the name of a track or an artist to initiate a search.
Google is also rolling out a bunch of new widgets for popular Google apps. That includes a YouTube Music Widget with playback controls, a Google Play Books widget that offers access to the user's library of books and audiobooks, and a Google Photos People & Pets widget that lets users put their family and pets on the home screen. Finally, the Family Bell feature is now also available on smartphones. At the same time, a new Memories option in Google Photos lets users look back on important events and moments in their lives.
Source: Google, 9to5Google