Android Auto, Google’s in-car operating system, is now available in eighteen new countries, including Brazil and India. It is launched in Puerto Rico. This is Android Auto’s biggest international roll out so far and increases the number of countries it is available in from 11 to 29.

• Three of them—Brazil, India, and Russia—are among the fastest growing auto markets in the world (though of course not all cars purchased there will be compatible with Android Auto).
• Android Auto, which lets users connect their smartphones and control apps from their cars’ screens, launched in late 2014. Its main rival is Apple CarPlay.
• Google’s Android Auto allows users to connect their smartphones, and thus provides access to apps like Google Maps.
• Medium of connectivity includes Google Now voice assistant, steering-mounted controls, and dashboard touchscreen controls. Interestingly, the system locks the user’s phone in order to minimize distraction for the driver.
• To be able to use Android Auto, folks will need a compatible infotainment system, a USB port, an Android smartphone with version 5.0 (Lollipop) or above, and finally a USB cable.
• While Mahindra had announced Android Auto support for XUV500 and Scorpio last year, other manufacturers are expected to follow suit soon. Furthermore, car stereo manufacturers like Kenwood and Pioneer are also likely to introduce compatible systems in the near future.

With Android Auto present in 29 countries, car manufacturers will also become more receptive to bringing out cars fitted with Android Auto and its competitor, the Apple CarPlay.