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Android for Cars lets you create calling and messaging experiences that drivers
can access from their car screens or through voice while driving.
Calling experiences built with the templates in the Android for Cars App Library
are driving-optimized, so they help drivers communicate while staying focused on
the road. Similarly, the messaging UI in Android Auto uses easy-to-read
notifications and voice-based messaging to minimize off-road glances.
Get started
To learn how to design apps with the templates in the Android for
Cars App Library, see
Build apps with templates.
Templates especially relevant for calling apps include:
The Android for Cars App Library lets you create apps with lists or grids of
contacts that users can tap to initiate VoIP calls. Calls are smoothly
integrated with the Android Auto calling experience using the
Android CallsManager APIs,
assuming you have implemented the Telecom APIs.
Messaging
Android Auto's messaging experience consists of messaging notifications, and
in-app conversation history. Your app can post incoming message notifications,
and users can choose when to respond. Your app can also implement templates for
users to read and reply to conversations in your app. Options to play the
message aloud and dictate an answer make it easier for users to respond while
driving.
Messaging notifications
Because the UI already exists within Android Auto, there is no UI work needed on
the app end. The only design considerations relate to:
App icon. Supply an app icon that will be easy for users to identify at a
small size, in a badge on a notification.
Message ordering. Make sure your app’s messages are appropriately grouped
and sequentially ordered.
Messaging app
The Android for Cars App Library lets you create apps with lists of
conversations. These conversations should match what a user sees in your mobile
app experience, so they can easily find, read, and reply to those conversations.
Unlike other templates, Conversation Item templates have less flexibility, and
require specific pieces of information to be provided. With this, users will be
able to easily read and reply to conversations using the Google Assistant.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2024-07-23 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eAndroid for Cars enables the development of calling and messaging apps optimized for drivers, accessible through car screens or voice commands.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe Android for Cars App Library provides templates for building calling apps with features like contact lists and grids for initiating VoIP calls, ensuring driver safety.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eAndroid Auto's messaging experience includes notifications and in-app conversations, enabling users to receive, read, and respond to messages through voice commands or on-screen interactions.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eMessaging apps built with the Android for Cars App Library offer conversation lists mirroring the mobile app experience, facilitating easy access to messages for drivers.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eDevelopers can leverage the Android for Cars App Library to create driving-optimized apps, enhancing the user experience for calling and messaging while prioritizing safety.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Communication apps\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nAndroid for Cars lets you create calling and messaging experiences that drivers\ncan access from their car screens or through voice while driving.\n\nCalling experiences built with the templates in the Android for Cars App Library\nare driving-optimized, so they help drivers communicate while staying focused on\nthe road. Similarly, the messaging UI in Android Auto uses easy-to-read\nnotifications and voice-based messaging to minimize off-road glances.\n\nGet started\n-----------\n\nTo learn how to design apps with the templates in the Android for\nCars App Library, see\n[Build apps with templates](/cars/design/create-apps/apps-for-drivers/build-with-templates).\n\nTemplates especially relevant for calling apps include:\n\n- [Grid template](/cars/design/create-apps/apps-for-drivers/templates/grid-template)\n- [List template](/cars/design/create-apps/apps-for-drivers/templates/list-template)\n- [Sign-in template](/cars/design/create-apps/apps-for-drivers/templates/sign-in-template)\n- [Tab template](/cars/design/create-apps/apps-for-drivers/templates/tab-template)\n\n| **Note:** For technical details about how to build apps with the Android for Cars App Library, see [Use the Android for Cars App Library](https://developer.android.com/training/cars/apps).\n\nCalling\n-------\n\nThe Android for Cars App Library lets you create apps with lists or grids of\ncontacts that users can tap to initiate VoIP calls. Calls are smoothly\nintegrated with the Android Auto calling experience using the\n[Android CallsManager APIs](https://developer.android.com/reference/androidx/core/telecom/CallsManager),\nassuming you have implemented the Telecom APIs.\n| **Note:** The Calling category for apps created with the Android for Cars App Library is currently open for Beta Partners only. Request to join the program here.\n\nMessaging\n---------\n\nAndroid Auto's messaging experience consists of messaging notifications, and\nin-app conversation history. Your app can post incoming message notifications,\nand users can choose when to respond. Your app can also implement templates for\nusers to read and reply to conversations in your app. Options to play the\nmessage aloud and dictate an answer make it easier for users to respond while\ndriving.\n| **Note:** Messaging is available for Android Auto only. The Messaging category for apps created with the Android for Cars App Library is currently open for Beta Partners Only. [Request to join the program](https://forms.gle/VsXEdDEBidxw8q8u8) here.\n\n### Messaging notifications\n\nBecause the UI already exists within Android Auto, there is no UI work needed on\nthe app end. The only design considerations relate to:\n\n- **App icon.** Supply an app icon that will be easy for users to identify at a small size, in a badge on a notification.\n- **Message ordering.** Make sure your app's messages are appropriately grouped and sequentially ordered.\n\n### Messaging app\n\nThe Android for Cars App Library lets you create apps with lists of\nconversations. These conversations should match what a user sees in your mobile\napp experience, so they can easily find, read, and reply to those conversations.\nUnlike other templates, Conversation Item templates have less flexibility, and\nrequire specific pieces of information to be provided. With this, users will be\nable to easily read and reply to conversations using the Google Assistant.\n| **Note:** For technical details about how to build this experience, see [Build messaging apps for Android Auto](https://developer.android.com/training/cars/messaging)."]]
