Google Meet App Now Available on Apple CarPlay, Before Android Auto

Shortly after the release of WhatsApp and a voice-only ChatGPT experience for the Apple CarPlay car interface, Google has announced that its Google Meet app will now also be available natively. The surprising news is that Google Meet does not yet work on Google’s own Android Auto platform, though the company’s announcement says a version will be coming soon.

People will be able to join meetings hands-free while driving, which the company says should allow them to keep their eyes on the road. Most importantly though, Google Meet calls will be audio-only. CarPlay does not allow video of any kind while a car is moving, to avoid visual distractions. That means no presentations or shared screens will be visible either. Even for cars equipped with interior cameras, a driver cannot participate using video. 

Users can see their upcoming scheduled meetings and join them with one tap. When joining a call, a user will be taken directly into it without the pre-load confirmation screen usually seen on other devices. If the host has chosen to keep guests waiting, they will still see a status message until they are admitted. If Gemini is recording or transcribing the meeting, a voice prompt will inform CarPlay users as they join. 

CarPlay compatibility will roll out gradually to iPhone users who have the Google Meet app installed. It will work for all free personal Google accounts and paid Google Workspace users.

Other interactive features such as polls, chat, and raising a hand are also not available to CarPlay users, to prevent distraction. A meeting host using CarPlay will not be able to admit or reject guests. The user will only have controls to mute/unmute themself, and leave the meeting. Users can be signed in simultaneously from their phone and CarPlay, and audio will move automatically when their phone is connected or disconnected from the car. 

Google is also expected to offer a voice-based Gemini app for CarPlay. While it will not replace Siri and won't be able to control car functions, it will be able to answer users' questions and search the Web for information with natural language interaction.