Android Auto: Overview and Complete User Guide. Overview of Android application Yandex.Auto Multimedia yandex auto

The Yandex company is famous for its numerous Internet services. Some of them have already been ported to the Android operating system as separate applications. And if individual copies are already known to almost everyone, then other projects have not yet gained particular popularity and love from users. For example, Yandex.Auto belongs to the list of little-known applications.

Perhaps the Yandex company, if desired, could organize the largest encyclopedia of cars. But the leadership of the Russian giant considered that such a project could not attract a wide audience. Instead, it was decided to launch a service to search for ads, one way or another related to car sales. This is a great idea, now users do not need to go to the relevant sites and start searching there. Yes, and we must not forget that "Yandex" for some people is set as the start page.

However, we will now talk about the mobile incarnation of this service. Let's start with the fact that the Yandex.Auto program for the operating Android systems quite a bit "weighs". But do not forget that the application will download ads from the Internet. If you are worried about traffic, then in the settings there is an item for you to disable uploading photos.

Most of all, the Yandex.Auto program surprises with its start screen. Here the developers have shown ingenuity. The entire screen is literally littered with photos of different cars. Basically it's all foreign cars. Here you can quickly find the car that interests you. When you click on each car, a brief information about it pops up. These are the name of the model, the number of ads available and the cost of the sale.

Of course, not all cars available for sale are present in the main window. But their number is very large, even a fairly long scroll down is available. If you haven't found the car you are looking for in this mass of photos, then use the search. To do this, just click on the appropriate icon. And this is where you can find the main advantage of this program.

After clicking on the search icon, you will be taken to the "Selection by parameters" section. Here you can choose the make and model (more on that later), year of manufacture, approximate cost, type of gearbox, availability of ABS, steering wheel location, and much more. Some ads are posted without photos, you can safely turn them off.

Special mention deserves the choice of brand and model. At first glance, it's just that all the brands are sorted alphabetically. But in fact, initially we fall into the "Popular" section. Of the Russian manufacturers, only VAZ, GAZ and UAZ are on the list here. And there are not so many foreign representatives. If we swipe to the right, then we will move to the list with all manufacturers. Here you can already find Moskvich, IZH, and even TagAZ. And there are an uncountable number of foreign manufacturers. There is also a division of car brands by country. That is, you can quickly switch to Japanese cars or French. Below all is the Iranian brand Iran Khodro. Yes, there is one.

If you click on a particular brand, a list of models will pop up. Everything is logical here. The list is sorted alphabetically. Here you can find any model that is only sold on Russian sites. Of course, domestic cars are represented most of all.

Almost all other items in the "Selection by parameters" section are endowed with similar lists. You do not need to prescribe anything, you just need to check the boxes in the right places. For example, this way you can quickly select the type of body or the presence of a robotic gearbox. Interestingly, the presence of the "Status" item. In it, you can choose which car we are interested in: new, used or beaten.

After selecting all the parameters of interest, we will be given suitable ads. Basically, the Yandex.Auto service processes the resources of Auto.ru, Hand to Hand, and Avito.ru. But sometimes there are options from sites such as Bibika.ru. Usually, the price of the car is indicated next to each ad. In some cases, you can find a bright inscription "Torg". This means that the owner can give up the vehicle for more low cost. If you click on the ad, you will be redirected to the site where this note was found. There you can already see high-quality photos and find out the contact details of the seller. Note that if after that we return back to the application, then we will be offered to add the ad to the "Favorites".

When you first start the Yandex.Auto application, it will specify your location. Your region will be searched. In the future, the region can be changed in the settings. You can also change the currency there if the rubles do not suit you. Finally, here you can turn off the display detailed information in the ad. Last item useful for smartphones with a very low resolution display.

This is the simple functionality of the Android version of the Yandex.Auto application. This program can be installed from the Google Play Store

Camouflage awnings could not cope with the strong Moscow wind, revealing two cars in stickers to the gaze of the journalistic fraternity. The press conference began with the presentation of a new multimedia platform Yandex.Auto for which a separate event was organized.

Leading Andrey Vasilevsky, head of Yandex's Embedded Automotive Solutions Lab, skillfully gave an interview in the manner of Zootopia: rephrase a journalist's question to answer something else. For example:

From the hall: How much will the service cost for the consumer?
Vasilevsky: Good question. Does it matter to us how much a user spends on mobile communications? Undoubtedly. After all, everyone has a personal account mobile operator where he can watch service packages ... - and that's it, the essence of the original question is lost.

So, five direct questions from the audience about the cost and monetization of Yandex.Auto went like water in the sand, but everyone memorized the mission, opportunities and potential prospects. Undoubtedly, a useful thing. Three main problems of autosoftware are being solved:

1. Lack of multitasking. Yandex introduced multi-channel, when several widgets are displayed on one screen at once: say, a navigator, weather, music.

2. No optimization existing interfaces. Yandex introduced voice control: "How long to go to Chelyabinsk?" or "Turn on the Jazz radio." Touching the screen is no longer necessary, which improves safety while driving.

3. No communication with the car. Here and receiving data (in the future) about the period of maintenance, and malfunctions, as well as filling "over the air" user settings. For example, when using carsharing on different cars, you always have your favorite desktop with widgets in front of your eyes.

“Wow wow,” you exclaim, “what about the Apple Car and Android Car?”

Nikita Likhachev from TJournal admitted that he heard about these services 3 years ago, but never saw them live. As well as 99% of the assembled audience… In October of this year, Yandex, in cooperation with Toyota, will pre-install new software for the Exclusive package in Camry and RAV4 head units.

Prototypes were waiting for the first testers.

The Japanese are followed by Jaguar and Land Rover with one difference. If Toyota has an independent “head” and is equipped with an independent cellular communication module, then the British-Indians broadcast the service via a USB cord. To do this, you need to update the brains in the service center for a fee.

Owners of "old" cars are promised an early update that is compatible with most head units. Nothing was said about the timing. In addition, negotiations are underway with other manufacturers.

Yandex.Navigator is one of the most popular navigators for Android OS in Russia. The application boasts rich functionality, an interface completely in Russian and the absence of intrusive advertising. Also, the fact that it is absolutely free can be called an indisputable plus. Further in the article, you will learn how to use Yandex.Navigator on your smartphone.

After reading the material below, you will learn how to set up the navigator, get directions online and offline, and use its additional tools in unforeseen situations on the road.

Step 1: Installing the App

To download Yandex.Navigator on android smartphone, go to the link below, click on the button "Install" and wait for the app to finish downloading to your smartphone.

Step 2: Setting up

1. In order for the navigator to be convenient to use, you need to customize it for yourself. Therefore, after installation, go to Yandex.Navigator by clicking on the application icon on the desktop of your smartphone.



2. At the first launch, two requests for permission to access the application to geolocations and a microphone will pop up on the screen. For correct operation of Yandex.Navigator, it is recommended to give your consent - click "Allow" in both cases.



After you confirm the permissions, a map opens with an arrow icon showing your location.



3. Next, click on the button "Menu" in the bottom right corner of the screen and go to "Settings". First there will be a column of settings related to the card. Consider only those of them that really affect the use of the navigator.



4. Go to the tab "Map View" and choose between the standard street and road map or satellite. Everyone sees maps differently, but schematic maps are easier to use.



5. To use the navigator offline, go to the menu item and click on the search bar. Next, select the proposed maps of countries, regions, territories, cities and numerous provinces, or use the search by writing the name of the area you need.



6. To change your location icon, go to the tab "Cursor" and choose one of the three options.



7. Another important column of settings is "Sound".



To select the language you are interested in, in which the navigator will show you the route and other information about the road, go to the appropriate tab and click on one of the suggested languages. Then, to return to the settings, click on the arrow in the upper left corner.



8. For selection voice assistant go to tab "Speaker" and choose the sound you are interested in. On the foreign languages there will be standard male and female voices, and six positions are available in Russian.



9. For complete convenience, the remaining three items should be left enabled. Voice activation will help you navigate your route without taking your eyes off the road. It is enough to say the destination address after the command "Listen, Yandex".

This completes the basic settings for the convenience of using the navigator. There will be a few more items at the bottom of the list of parameters, but they are not so significant as to focus on them.

Step 3: Using the Navigator

After that, you just have to go according to the instructions of the announcer. But do not forget that this is a technique that can sometimes be wrong. Pay close attention to the road and traffic signs.

Yandex.Navigator can also show traffic congestion in order to avoid traffic jams. To activate this function, click on the traffic light icon in the upper right corner. After that, the roads of the city will become multi-colored, which indicates their congestion at the moment. Roads come in green, yellow, orange and red colors - the gradation goes from a free road to a long-term traffic jam.

For the convenience of the user, Yandex.Navigator developers have added the function of specifying comments to traffic events that are available to any driver or pedestrian who is not indifferent to incidents. If you want to add an event, click on the triangle icon with a plus inside.

At the top of the screen, a list of pointers will immediately open, which you can set on the map with any comment. Whether it's an accident, road repair, cameras or any other incident, select the desired sign, write a comment, hover over the desired location and click "Install".

A small pointer will then be visible on the map at that location. Click on it and you will see information from the user.

Recently, Yandex.Navigator has added a function to display parking lots. To activate it, click on the button in the form of an English letter in the lower left corner "P".

Now on the map you will see all the parking spaces available in the locality where you are. They will be highlighted with blue stripes.

At this step, the main work with the navigator ends. Additional options will be discussed next.

Step 4: Work offline

If you do not have the Internet at hand, but have a working smartphone with a GPS receiver, then Yandex.Navigator will help you get to the right place in this case too. But only on condition that maps of your area have already been downloaded to your smartphone or a route you have previously built has been saved.

With the available maps, the route construction algorithm will be similar to the online mode. And in order to save the required route in advance, press the button "My Places".

The next step is to enter your home and work address, and in the line "Favorites" add those addresses where you often go.

Now to use the app offline with preloaded maps, say voice command "Listen, Yandex" and specify or select manually the place where you want to create a route.

Step 5: Working with the tools

The menu has a group of tabs called "Instruments", and several of them may be useful to you. They work only with an active Internet connection on your Android smartphone.

This concludes our instruction on working with the application. There are many interesting and long existing solutions of this kind, but Yandex.Navigator boldly holds among them in good standing with many users. So feel free to install it on your device and enjoy it.

09/19/2017, Tue, 16:24, Msk , Text: Igor Korolev

Yandex.Auto platform

"Yandex" introduced its own built-in automotive platform - "Yandex.Auto". The corresponding software is designed for operating Linux systems and Android and will be supplied with cars with multimedia systems.

The Yandex.Auto platform can be compared with Android solutions Auto by Google and Apple CarPlay. These solutions allow using smartphones running Android and iOS, respectively, to access car multimedia systems and work with navigation, music, SMS, etc. using the car screen. Android Auto and CarPlay supported whole line the world's leading automakers.

Obviously, the Yandex.Navigator application became the basis for Yandex.Auto. However, in addition to the navigation service, the new platform allows you to combine various applications that are useful to the driver on the road on one multimedia screen of the car. We are talking about FM radio stations (Yandex created a database of radio stations for various cities), Yandex.Music, Yandex.Weather, etc.

In addition, the new platform supports personalization: it adapts to the needs of drivers and allows you to transfer settings from one car to another. It is alleged that the platform itself will be able to determine where in this moment time the driver will need to go: to work or to the supermarket.

"Yandex.Auto" is not the first appeal of "Yandex" to the automotive industry. In the spring of 2017, a search engine prototype of its own unmanned vehicle.

New opportunities for carsharing and taxi companies

Head of Automotive Solutions Laboratories at Yandex Andrey Vasilevsky notes that personalization options will be especially useful for car sharing services and taxi companies. In the case of carsharing, the driver, having rented a car, will be able to immediately load his settings into it.

In the case of taxi companies, drivers will be able to add taximeters to the platform. In the future, an option is possible when a passenger orders a car using Yandex.Taxi and transfers his preferred radio and music settings.

The platform also supports offline operation in the absence of the Internet in the car: navigation routes, weather forecast and other information can be cached.

In addition to embedding in car control systems, the Yandex.Auto platform can be installed on a smartphone and connected to the car's multimedia platform via cable (if the car itself supports this option). The corresponding solution was developed by Yandex with the participation of Bosch.

Toyota with integrated Yandex.Auto solution

In this case, the driver should install Yandex.Navigator on their smartphone and additional application from your manufacturer. In the future through this decision it will be possible to display cars and other Yandex services on the screen.

"Yandex" will earn on license agreements with car manufacturers. Monetization through advertising is not yet planned.

What cars will Yandex appear on?

In the fall of 2017, Toyota will release the first cars with the built-in Yandex.Auto platform. These will be Toyota Camry Exclusive and Toyota RAV4 cars. Both models are made in Russia and are intended for Russian market. In addition, in October 2017, the Range Rover Velar car will go on sale, which will support Yandex.Auto connection via a smartphone and a USB cable.

Yandex is also negotiating the integration of its platform with Jaguar, Renault-Nissan, Ford, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Avtovaz and KAMAZ. In addition, Yandex is discussing possible cooperation with a number of auto parts manufacturers: Harman, Caska and Mortex.

An analogue of CarPlay from Apple and Android Auto from Google.

To bookmarks

According to Yandex, seven out of ten drivers in Moscow drive with remote navigation - when the smartphone is in the holder, and the navigator application is running on it. However, while receiving a call, navigation is at least briefly suspended and you can miss the desired turn, the smartphone may slip out, the driver is distracted, the company lists the disadvantages of this approach: “In self-driving cars, we are unlikely to mount a smartphone on the windshield,” said Andrey Vasilevsky, head automotive direction of "Yandex".

Yandex launched the Yandex.Auto platform built into the car and controlled by voice. Buttons on the main panel quick access to sections, interactive widgets and other switches. While driving, they can change: for example, while driving through a dangerous section, a corresponding road sign will appear on the screen, and after driving it will disappear.

Yandex.Auto interface while driving

The screen in Yandex.Auto is divided into sections. Before starting the journey, the service will show the time on the road to work and can, for example, launch an album from the Yandex.Music library in a separate section. Voice prompts are converted to text and displayed on the screen. All services are integrated with each other and use machine learning algorithms, so Yandex.Auto can know when the user will go to work and when to the supermarket.

It is assumed that access to the Internet will occur through a modem built into the car, however, connecting such a connection requires additional actions from the user, and Yandex understands that this is an inconvenience and it raises the threshold for the technology to enter the market. As an alternative, they propose to distribute the Internet to a multimedia device from a smartphone, but they are going to try to negotiate with telecom operators that in personal account subscriber can be connected additional service: "Use my traffic in the car." On the other hand, Yandex.Navigator will soon be able to plot routes online when the user has problems with the network.

Yandex.Auto supports not only integration into Android, but also into on-board computers based on Linux. The service can be displayed on the multimedia screen through a cord - according to company representatives, this is done in collaboration with Bosch. However, ordinary car owners will not be able to use the system on their own yet - at the current stage, the company relies on direct cooperation with manufacturers, but manual installation systems in cars are going to be supported later.

Can I now download the application and install it in the radio? No. Will Yandex support this in the future? Yes.​

Andrey Vasilevsky

Head of Automotive Direction at Yandex

The system is planned to be pre-installed in cars at the production stage and give car companies the opportunity to style the Yandex.Auto interface for branded design elements. In the autumn of 2017, the first cars with an integrated system will appear at Toyota, and in the “powered by Bosch” format at Jaguar, in this case, both iOS and Android smartphones will do. For Yandex.Auto to work on a shoelace, in this case, you only need the Yandex.Navigator application installed on your smartphone, but the automaker will have to update the firmware of its multimedia system - Jaguar Land Rover calls it InControl Apps.

According to company representatives, they already have cooperation agreements with Honda, Ford, Lada, KamAZ, Renault, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai and other brands. Vasilevsky explained that work on such projects is carried out through contracts, but did not specify how much such an embedded solution would cost the automaker and, accordingly, how this price would be included in the cost of the car: “The presence of Yandex.Auto, in our understanding, should not lead to increase in the cost of the car compared to other similar solutions. How many cars Yandex partners are going to produce with a built-in Yandex.Auto at the first stage of the service, the company does not disclose, but believes that the service will become massive in the future.

Updated: a representative of the Russian division of Toyota explained to TJ that since July 2016 the company began to sell Camry cars in Russia in the Exclusive configuration, and since August - Rav4. In total, about 20 thousand of them were sold during the year, of which about 40% in this configuration have a built-in Yandex.Navigator. As part of this configuration, in the fall of 2017, Navigator will be replaced by Yandex.Auto.