TL;DR
- Polestar 2 vehicles have started receiving a new P3.3.16 update.
- The latest vehicle software adds support for Android Auto wired connections.
- Drivers are free to switch between Auto and the integrated automotive interface.
Android users who connect their smartphones to their cars have been treated to a nice round of upgrades to round out the year, as Android Auto 13.4 offers improvements such as a refreshed media player and new colorful screens in the user interface. While Android Auto gets a lot of attention and new features like that, Android Automotive isn’t evolving as quickly, and the platform built into cars like Polestar electric vehicles is naturally a bit more locked down than Auto . Luckily, Polestar owners are getting the best of both worlds, thanks to a new driver update.
THE polar star 2 just received its version P3.3.16 update, and in addition to HD radio support and low-speed driving improvements, the new version offers Android Auto support. This means that instead of just using Android Automotive as configured by Polestar, drivers now have the freedom to connect their phone for a wired Android Auto connection.
Considering how Android Auto and Automotive support different app classifications, this change means that Polestar owners should be able to enjoy a little more flexibility in terms of what they can do with Android on their vehicles.
Polestar offers a little more detail on what this support means in a private Facebook group (via The Droid’s Life):
This phone-based system projects from your Android device to your infotainment system, from where you can operate hands-free. The application will start automatically [when] your device is connected (wired connection). This autostart can be turned off in the settings, and you can always go back and use the Google Built-in system (the Polestar 2’s native Android Automotive system) whenever you want.
If you own a Polestar 2 but haven’t yet heard about an update with Android Auto, just be a little patient – it looks like the manufacturer may have put a “pause” on distribution for the vacation. Considering that no one wants their vacation ruined by a bad software update that damages their equipment, this can be a pretty smart move here.
Have you used Android Automotive and Auto with a connected phone and do you have a preference between the two? Share your opinion with us in the comments.
