Up until now, using Android Auto requires those interested to install a new head unit that is rather expensive. Today, that hardware requirement is no longer an issue as Google has begun rolling out Android Auto as an app for your smartphone.
Available on the Google Play Store in certain countries, the smartphone version of Android Auto will come with an interface that is identical to the one you can see on the car’s head unit. There are some features that were disabled on the smartphone version of Android Auto as Google wants you to keep your eyes on the road and not on your smartphone. Aside from that, everything else is pretty much the same. Android Auto on smartphone will allow you to “make calls or send messages with hands-free voice commands,” and it will also tailor notifications to avoid unnecessary distractions while you’re driving.
Currently, Android Auto has integrated support for Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music and Google Maps. Popular navigation app Waze has yet to be integrated to the service, but Google has promised that Waze-integration will be coming to the platform soon.
Source: Mashable