Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
If you've been part of the Android Auto user base for over a week, you probably know that bugs here are often impossible to diagnose. Google sometimes needs months to resolve even what looks like the most minor glitches, and users turn to workarounds that make the experience in the car super-frustrating.
The latest error reported by users who updated Android Auto and the linked apps to the latest versions looks a lot like a new feature.
One reader recently reached out to me to ask if Android Auto has quietly received a new feature that allows Google Assistant to read out loud every new message they send.
The "feature" is triggered every time the user sends a message, reading the text word by word after just repeating it before sending. You can imagine how frustrating this can be, especially with long messages, as Google Assistant keeps rumbling on for many seconds, even for such a simple operation as sending a new message.
Someone on Google's forums claims the "feature" appeared after updating Android Auto, though I wouldn't be surprised if Google Assistant were the culprit. The Google app powers the voice command integration in Android Auto, with the app getting frequent updates through the Google Play Store. Some of these updates don't work as expected, occasionally causing various problems on Android Auto.
Users did not find a workaround for this error, but you can always try to downgrade to an earlier Android Auto version if you believe a recent update broke down the message-sending experience. You should also downgrade to a previous Google app version if downgrading Android Auto didn't work.
A member of the Android Auto team asked for more bug information on the forums, but it's too early to tell when a patch could ship. Google hasn't even started an investigation, but the good news is that the error doesn't seem to affect many users. The question received ten "me too" upvotes on the forums, and considering the error appeared in late February, it's safe to assume the buggy update didn't make it to many users.
Meanwhile, voice commands continue to be glitchy on Android Auto, with users complaining that Google Assistant sometimes does not understand what they say. It's another sign that the voice integration in Android Auto remains half-baked despite the numerous updates shipped by Google.
The voice command support is a key Android Auto feature, allowing users to focus on the road while interacting with the apps on the screen. Google Assistant enables users to send messages, make phone calls, configure navigation, play music, and control the playback without looking at the infotainment display. Starting in February, Google Assistant can summarize long texts and busy conversations on Android Auto.
One reader recently reached out to me to ask if Android Auto has quietly received a new feature that allows Google Assistant to read out loud every new message they send.
The "feature" is triggered every time the user sends a message, reading the text word by word after just repeating it before sending. You can imagine how frustrating this can be, especially with long messages, as Google Assistant keeps rumbling on for many seconds, even for such a simple operation as sending a new message.
Someone on Google's forums claims the "feature" appeared after updating Android Auto, though I wouldn't be surprised if Google Assistant were the culprit. The Google app powers the voice command integration in Android Auto, with the app getting frequent updates through the Google Play Store. Some of these updates don't work as expected, occasionally causing various problems on Android Auto.
Users did not find a workaround for this error, but you can always try to downgrade to an earlier Android Auto version if you believe a recent update broke down the message-sending experience. You should also downgrade to a previous Google app version if downgrading Android Auto didn't work.
A member of the Android Auto team asked for more bug information on the forums, but it's too early to tell when a patch could ship. Google hasn't even started an investigation, but the good news is that the error doesn't seem to affect many users. The question received ten "me too" upvotes on the forums, and considering the error appeared in late February, it's safe to assume the buggy update didn't make it to many users.
Meanwhile, voice commands continue to be glitchy on Android Auto, with users complaining that Google Assistant sometimes does not understand what they say. It's another sign that the voice integration in Android Auto remains half-baked despite the numerous updates shipped by Google.
The voice command support is a key Android Auto feature, allowing users to focus on the road while interacting with the apps on the screen. Google Assistant enables users to send messages, make phone calls, configure navigation, play music, and control the playback without looking at the infotainment display. Starting in February, Google Assistant can summarize long texts and busy conversations on Android Auto.
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