Generally, when Google rolls out a new feature, we expect it to come to Android first. It's Google's own OS, after all. However, Google is rolling out Google Meet for cars, but it is actually coming to Apple CarPlay before Android Auto, giving Apple users the latest goodies before Android.
According to Google, the Meet app for Apple CarPlay (and eventually, Android Auto) will let users "join meetings safely while on the road." That means you can only join audio calls while driving, which makes sense, as watching video chats while operating a motor vehicle sounds incredibly dangerous.
Google says the CarPlay app will let you "join meetings with a single tap, view your upcoming schedule, and participate in audio-only calls to maintain focus on driving.” Google notes that "you won’t see the incoming video content," and that your camera won't work while using the CarPlay version of Meet.
Pretty much all other features that would lead to dangerous distracted driving aren't available. That means no Chat, Hand Raises, Polls, or Q&A. Instead, the only options you'll see on a call are to mute or leave it.
As you might expect, audio from the call will play through your car's speakers, much like it would on a traditional phone call.
Google says Meet is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. Essentially, that means anyone with Apple CarPlay and a Google account should be able to play around with Meet, even if the features limit its functionality to not much more than a regular phone call.
What about Android Auto?
Google didn't explain why CarPlay received the feature before Android Auto, only saying "Android Auto users can expect a version of Meet for Android Auto soon.”
Soon is pretty vague, so we don't know exactly when Android users can expect to get the app, but at least we know it's coming and that Google hasn't forgotten about the car functionality for its own OS.
