Android Auto may be just the start for ’s ambitions inside the car.

According to multiple reports  is building its own infotainment system, which would be far more powerful than Android Auto. The clues come from references in the Android Compatibility Definition Document to something called Android Automotive. 

So what’s the difference between Android Auto what may be cooking up? Android Auto is essentially an app that connects to your car’s existing infotainment system. It’s made to link with your phone, which really drives everything. No phone, no maps, music, or search.

Some car manufacturers are shipping in-dash infotainment systems that are based on the Android OS, but they’re custom builds from the Android Open Source oject. The problem there, just like with phones, is they run older Android builds may not be as secure as you’d like.

could alleviate this by buidling its own system, which would by default use Maps for navigation have services like ay Music others built in. This would enable developers to build apps for Android Automotive, which could extend the platform’s capability.

This is a pretty early concept, so we’ll have to wait see how things proceed. In the meantime there’s always Android Auto, which we rather liked in our review. 

It’s also rolling out in a lot of 2016 models, but you’ll need to check with a dealership to find out if it’s coming in a car you’re after. 

The story behind the story: may not be Ford, but it sure has a heavy interest in cars. knew about Android Auto of course ’s self-driving car initiative. But now it looks like could serve as the central hub for a car’s entertainment system. The company’s deep data prowess could give it a lot of strength in this area, but it’s rather early to tell how far this effort may go.