Google “working hard” to bring Wireless Android Auto to Pie-powered phones

Update (September 12): This coverage of ours gives you a top level view of major Android Auto issues introduced by the Android 9 Pie update.

Original story follows:

It was back in April this year when Google announced Android Auto Wireless support, allowing users of Pixel, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P devices to connect to their Android Auto head units through WiFi (no USB cable required).

JVC and Kenwood became the first two companies to offer this wireless support on their head units. In a press release, Kenwood later confirmed that non-Google phones will get Wireless Android Auto support with the arrival of Android 9 (or 9 Pie as it’s officially called).

Well, Android Pie has officially arrived, and at-least one non-Google phone – the Essential PH-1 – has already received the new OS update. So does the wireless Android Auto feature works on the Essential Phone?

We couldn’t find much on this, but at least one PH-1 user has confirmed they can’t wirelessly connect their phone to their Kenwood DMX905s head unit.

I bought the Kenwood DMX905s head unit during preorder and got it on day one. AA works great wired, but sadly, I was told Android O doesn’t support AA wireless on my Essential PH-1, I needed to wait until Android P. Today Android P final release came out and but I still haven’t been able to make AA wireless work. What’s the trick?

After a small discussion, an Android Auto team member Don informed the user last week that Google is “working hard” to bring Wireless Android Auto features to phones being updated to 9 Pie. Following is what they exactly said:

We’re working hard to ensure that Android Auto’s wireless features work well on phones currently being updated to Android 9.0 (Pie)

Don further said they don’t have any additional information to share currently apart from what was announced back in April, where the company didn’t mention any non-Google phone getting this feature.

So does this mean that Pie-powered non-Google phones don’t have Wireless Android Auto currently? Well, seems so. But Don’s statement also indicates that Google is on it. We’ll let you know as and when we get more clarity on the matter.

Note: Kenwood had also said Google informed them that even some Oreo powered phones from other manufacturers will also get this feature. As far as we know, none of the Oreo-powered devices support Wireless Android Auto currently.

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