Google Assistant gets a dedicated ‘driving mode’ this summer

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Google Assistant is slowly becoming part of everything Google creates, but it’s a two-way street. Announced today during Google’s I/O keynote, Google Assistant is getting a dedicated “driving mode,” coming in time for barbecue and beach weather. The flip to this? Google Assistant is also coming to Waze, for even easier trip navigation.

The new Google Assistant mode can be triggered either by saying “Hey Google, let’s drive”, or by connecting your phone to your car’s Bluetooth system. That turns the usual Google Assistant view into a “thoughtfully designed dashboard” that will have driving-relevant activities, top contacts, and personal recommendations siphoned from your email.

That includes things like directions to the movie theater if Assistant knows you have tickets booked that day. It might be good that it’s not coming til the summer, you wouldn’t want Assistant spoiling the surprise of restaurant reservations on Mother’s Day.

#HeyGoogle, let's drive: Coming this summer on @android phones, the Google Assistant’s new driving mode features a thoughtfully designed dashboard with personalized suggestions for navigation, messaging, calling and media. #io19 pic.twitter.com/epJoJdqhX5

— Google (@Google) May 7, 2019

The new mode will also let you resume playing any songs or podcasts you were listening to on your last journey, exactly where you left off. Now, anyone with an Android phone can get infotainment-style features on any vehicle they drive.

With the inclusion of Google Assistant in Waze, you’ll be able to use your favorite Waze features via the Assistant. No more distracted driving while reporting other driver’s misfortunes, now you’ll be able to do it all via voice commands.

The company didn’t go into many details about the new Waze integration, other than a rough “in the next few weeks” timeline for rolling out.

What do you think? Will you use this new feature? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.