Late for a Zoom meeting while driving? There’s now an Android Auto app for that

Users of Android Auto smartphone mirroring technology will now be able to dial in to Zoom meetings while driving – but as audio-only calls, due to safety concerns.

Tech giant Google has announced Zoom is the latest Android smartphone application which can be integrated via a car’s infotainment display – joining the likes of Google Maps, Waze, Spotify and the Android Auto-exclusive Facebook Messenger.

While Zoom is best known for its ability to host video calls, the Android Auto app will only allow users to make and join calls via audio – reducing the risk of drivers watching their infotainment screens instead of the road ahead.

MORE: Google updates Android Auto in-car tech, what you need to know

The addition of Zoom to the Android Auto line-up comes five years after the function became available through Apple CarPlay.

Smartphones with Google’s Android operating system hold a 71 per cent share of the global market, while Apple’s iOS system accounts for 28.5 per cent of the smartphone market – as reported by Yahoo! Finance and StatCounter.

Another app which has joined the Android Auto roster is The Weather Channel – claimed to be the world’s most accurate weather forecaster.

Users of The Weather Channel app on Android Auto will be able to have hourly forecasts, ‘follow-me’ alerts and a ‘Trip View’ radar displayed on their infotainment screens – the latter of which provides information about the weather conditions on a motorist’s journey.

Additionally, owners of certain Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models in Europe, South Korea and North America will now be able to unlock, lock and start their cars with an Android smartphone via a ‘digital key’ – which can also be shared with family and friends across both Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems.

This technology was introduced to Hyundai group vehicles for Apple iPhone users last year.

As reported last week, owners of certain Volvo and Polestar cars are now able to watch films and TV shows on Amazon Prime Video through their vehicle’s infotainment screens.

This ability is only available on models equipped with Google’s built-in Android Automotive software, which unlike Android Auto adds Google technology to the infotainment system itself – rather than an app within it – and does not require a mobile phone to be connected to the system to function.

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