Samsung’s OneUI Becomes First Third-Party Skin on Android Auto

Samsung's OneUI is set to become the first third-party Android interface available on an Android Auto car infotainment screens. When used on the new Galaxy S24 models, Android Auto will leverage the AI capabilities of these phones. Samsung, of course, showcases its own OneUI interface on the car's screen, as opposed to the standard Google interface.

Skinning has been a big part of Android on smartphones since its inception. Google enabled manufacturers to customise the look and feel of their devices through skinning allowing them to differentiate their devices. But this was not extended to Android Auto, but now this has happened with the Galaxy S24 series.

The Galaxy S24 series is comprised of three phones — the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24, all of which boast on-device generative AI capabilities which the company has branded Galaxy AI, and which utilise Google's Gemini nano model. Among other things, the devices will be able to summarise text conversations including group chats while a user is driving.

Samsung has intensified its partnership with Google, a collaboration that has been instrumental in unleashing generative AI capabilities on the new Galaxy S24 phones. Notably, TM Roh, Samsung's Head of Mobile eXperience Business, and Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google's head of Android & Senior Vice President, appeared together on stage at the Galaxy Unpacked event where the new devices were launched.

Following the example set by the latest Google Pixel smartphones, the Galaxy S24 series will offer seven years of software and security updates. Additionally, a variety of search features are making their debut on these new phones which leverage gestures such as Circle To Search, which leverages Google's Gemini generative AI technology.

Disclosure: Samsung paid for the writer’s travel and stay in San Jose for Galaxy Unpacked 2024