Enlarge / Volkswagen is considered one of numerous automakers which have migrated to Android Automotive as their infotainment OS. However how lengthy are you able to anticipate that OS to be patched and secure? (credit score: Volkswagen)

Android is doing a reasonably good job of colonizing the in-car infotainment ecosystem. At first, Google’s working system began displaying up in new automobiles as customized installations, however extra lately the corporate developed Android Automotive, which you’ll find in new automobiles from Basic Motors, Polestar, Volvo, Honda, and shortly, each BMW and Volkswagen Group.

A perennial query that has accompanied the unfold of Android Automotive has been the query of assist. A automotive has a for much longer anticipated service life than a smartphone, particularly an Android smartphone, and with infotainment techniques so integral to a automotive’s operations now, how lengthy can we moderately anticipate these infotainment techniques to be supported?

Thus far, a bit greater than seven years is the longest any Android telephone has acquired assist, earlier than unsupported chips lastly referred to as time on the Fairphone. I am unsure anybody could be OK with having their automotive despatched to the scrap heap after simply seven years, nevertheless.