Android Auto Update Hints At Temperature Controls

A new Android Auto update is hinting that, at some point, the platform may feature temperature controls of some sort.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

In the new Android Auto v13.9.151004-release.daily update, code has appeared suggesting that Google is working on some form of temperature controls that work within Android Auto. Strings list “HI,” “LO,” and “OFF” settings for “control temperature,” but there’s very little context beyond this.

These strings were added to the latest v13.9 update in the beta channel. Android Auto 13.9 first released in beta last week.

HI
LO
OFF

It’s hard to know exactly how Google plans to use this, but it seems most likely this could be related to a car’s climate controls. Most vehicles with Android Auto, though, lack this level of integration.

This isn’t the only local feature Google seems to be working on for cars right now. Last year we reported on Google building out a “local media” feature in Android Auto that references radio stations. The company has continued building this out in further updates, but it has yet to make an appearance outside of code.

What do you think?