Google Plans to Discontinue Dedicated Car Mics for Assistant

In 2019, Google introduced the 'Google Assistant on Car accessory,' a dedicated microphone device that allowed users to interact with Google Assistant while driving. The devices, such as the JBL Link Drive and Anker Roav Bolt, plugged into the car's cigarette lighter socket and connected via Bluetooth or AUX to enable voice commands for navigation, communication, entertainment, and smart home control. Priced at $50-60, these accessories provided an affordable solution for adding Google Assistant functionality to cars that did not support Android Auto.

However, as of early 2025, it appears that Google is planning to discontinue the 'Google Assistant on Car accessory.' The deprecation notice was discovered in the latest beta version (16.5.33) of the Google app, which states that the service will be discontinued in the coming weeks. Users are advised to use Android Auto or their mobile devices for similar functionality.

The discontinuation is not surprising given the increasing adoption of Android Auto and Android Automotive. The 'Assistant Driving Mode' on the mobile app still offers a basic driving experience after last year's removal of the dedicated launcher.