You still need a USB cable to use Google’s extension of Android in the car, Android Auto. There are plenty of third-party units available that you can install in your car even if the stock infotainment system doesn’t support Android Auto. Google first talked about wireless Android Auto in 2016 but there hasn’t been widespread adoption. That’s going to change this year as Kenwood has revealed it’s going to release a new unit with support for wireless Android Auto.
Kenwood has confirmed that it’s going to launch a new high-end multimedia receiver at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 next week in Las Vegas. The company hasn’t revealed a lot of details about this product now. It does mention that the unit will have a 1280×720 resolution LCD display with CarPlay support and “wireless connectivity for Android Auto.”
What’s not known at this point in time is when this receiver is going to be released and how much it’s going to cost. Many products showcased at CES at the start of the year don’t arrive immediately so it would be best not to get your hopes up right now.
Wireless Android Auto support will enable you to access all of the features of this interface without having to plug your phone into the receiver. This means that the port on your phone will remain free so that it can be charged while you’re out and about.
