Many Android 12 features are yet to be revealed, but a few have already been announced, including using mobiles as car keys.
The most recent version of Google I/O, the annual conference at which the tech giant presents its major innovations, set a high bar for Android 12. Just as we heard about certain aspects of Google’s interface design renewal a few months ago, the latest reveal by Google focuses on what happens outside of our phones, such as using mobiles as car keys, for instance.
Before getting too enthusiastic, keep in mind that, for the time being, this feature is still only available on some high-end Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones using Android‘s latest operating system. According to reports, BMW would be one of the first companies exploring this technology in 2021, but several more will follow suit soon.
Android 12 will allow using your phone as a key to unlock your car using NFC and ultra-wideband (UWB), a radio technology allowing for short-range, high-bandwidth transmission over a considerable chunk of the radio spectrum while using relatively little energy.
According to Google, the benefit of using UWB is that it replicates the same principle as any wireless key. Using this technology, it would be possible to unlock a car without even taking the phone out of your pocket, as long as the feature is turned on. As a second option, the NFC chip could perform the same role with a quick touch on your mobile’s screen.
It is worth mentioning that BMW already revealed last year that its cars could be unlocked with iPhones, so it’s not a big leap forward for Google. Still, it is a sensible move to avoid being left behind, particularly as NFC becomes increasingly used in day-to-day scenarios.
One of the more intriguing features, which is also available on iOS, is the ability to share virtual keys with others via the mobile device. This would end, or rather reduce, the need for a physical key, increasing the number of users who can access the vehicle.
Google also introduced a slew of new features that aren’t shocking but are the next logical step in various areas and keeping up with business and consumer demands. Now the question is how they will be incorporated in the automotive industry and whether drivers will embrace them or not.
