Android 12: Your smartphone becomes a car key

Google does not only want to create more design customization options with Android 12. On top of that, the latest version of the smartphone and tablet operating system should be able to offer practical features. For example, your Android smartphone will be able to serve as a digital car key in the future. A promising ultra-wideband technology is to be used here. We take a look at Google’s plans.

After Apple now Google

The fact that a smartphone can be used as a digital car key is nothing new in the technology world. Apple, for example, has already been working at full speed with well-known car manufacturers to achieve this goal. It should not only be possible to open and close the car. It should also be possible to start the car with the help of the compact companion.

The lynchpin of communication between smartphone and car is to be ultra-wideband technology. If the vehicle also supports NFC, unlocking by briefly touching the smartphone is also a possibility. The possibility of borrowing the car sounds particularly practical, but also risky. Thus, one should also be able to send the digital car key to other smartphones of family and friends.

Start before the end of 2021

The goals sound ambitious, but promising. What initially looks like a vision of the future should not be too much longer in coming. We will probably be able to use the first digital car keys on Android devices before the end of this year – assuming a suitable device. They will be used on certain Pixel smartphones and some Samsung models. It is quite surprising that Google’s own smartphones will be involved.

After all, unlike Samsung’s S21, they do not yet have a UWB chip. So, communication with ultra-wideband technology is still a dream of the future. However, the rumors that the sixth generation of the Google Pixel will have a corresponding hardware on board are increasing. It is supposed to be released in fall.