Months after the feature was announced, Google is now rolling out support for quick responses to messages via Android Auto.
Late last year, Google unveiled a handful of new features for Android, including the arrival of quick responses to Android Auto, which was just meant to “come soon.” Until now, the only way to respond to messages while using Android Auto was by dictating them with your voice, but for years, Android has offered “quick responses” that try to offer contextually relevant responses to your messages.
As seen in one of our own vehicles, Android Auto’s support for quick responses has finally started to roll out – at least for those who use the latest beta version of the app (7.6.1215). Now that you’re receiving an incoming message and getting Google Assistant to read it aloud, Android Auto offers at least one suggested response, typically ranging in length from three words down to a single emoji. With a single tap, the reply is sent through your favorite messaging app.
Above the suggestions, there is also a “Custom Answer” that acts as a way to jump ahead to answer with your voice instead of waiting for Google Assistant to read the entire message before asking if you want to answer. This is useful in cases where you are not ready to respond immediately but do not want to hear the whole message again. At present, even when you are parked, there is no way to write a message on the infotainment center screen.
Overall, this is a great addition to Android Auto, allowing drivers to spend a little less time engaging with the system, as it’s easier and faster to press a large button than dictating an answer. With a little luck, it should not be long before Google makes quick responses available to all phones using Android Auto.
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