As the Samsung Galaxy S24 launch unfolds, Google has unveiled a new feature for Android Auto that promises to automatically summarize lengthy texts and bustling group chats. While enthusiasts eagerly await the debut of this Google Assistant capability, let’s delve into the mechanics behind how the AI message summaries will function on Android Auto.
It’s worth noting that these AI message summaries are officially attributed to Google Assistant, despite Android Auto being the platform for this innovation. Although all voice output on Android Auto relies on Assistant, the January announcement primarily credited “Android Auto” for this functionality.
Furthermore, while the support document specifies availability solely on Android Auto, Google’s initial statement hints at broader potential, suggesting users can receive message summaries on any Assistant-enabled Android device. This opens possibilities for expansion to other audio-centric form factors, such as headphones.
Opting into Android Auto Message Summaries: There are two avenues to activate this feature. The manual method entails navigating to Android Auto Settings > Notifications > Play AI message summaries and toggling the switch. While the option is already accessible, actual implementation awaits further testing.
Alternatively, Google may prompt users the first time the feature becomes available. Simply respond with “Yes” to authorize summarization or “No” to hear the full message. Users can adjust settings later from the menu.
Message Summarization Criteria: Google Assistant on Android Auto can condense “one long message or multiple messages from the same sender or group,” defining a lengthy message as exceeding 40 words. If multiple conversations or messages from different sources are present, the Assistant reads them sequentially.
For instance, a three-line message initiating with “So about dinner tonight, I was thinking…” might be summarized as “Brianna suggested Thai for dinner and inquired about your availability.”
Privacy and AI Considerations: Google underscores the potential for inaccuracies in AI-generated summaries, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of interactions. While Assistant refrains from logging messages or summaries, and interactions remain exempt from training the Large Language Model (LLM), the specific model utilized remains undisclosed.