Extremely anticipated: Android customers have waited years for Google to roll out the long-planned overhaul of its automotive software program. The replace is lastly right here and contains important modifications to Android Auto’s interface and the apps it incorporates, hopefully permitting simpler and fewer distracting operation of Android apps whereas driving.
The most recent model of Android Auto is now obtainable for Android telephone customers with suitable autos. It features a new adaptive interface with enhancements to navigation, communication, and leisure options.
Android Auto’s new split-screen presentation prioritizes three app home windows that change form to accommodate the varied display screen sizes between automobile fashions. Customers have rapid entry to navigation, messaging, and audio controls. All of those options include expansions to their performance.
Google made the navigation display screen simpler to learn by bringing it nearer to the driving force’s seat. Messaging in Android Auto lets customers ship replies extra shortly, reply to missed calls, name their favourite contacts, share their arrival instances, and share entry to music and podcasts. Customers can even quickly have the ability to make in-car calls by way of WhatsApp, beginning with the most recent Pixel and Samsung telephone fashions.
The audio participant has acquired a seekable progress bar so customers can quick ahead or rewind songs or podcasts. Moreover, a brand new fast launcher lets customers simply attain recently-used apps.
Digital automobile key sharing will quickly broaden to Samsung telephones, with assist increasing to Xiaomi telephones later. The characteristic is at present obtainable to Pixel telephones and iPhones for BMW autos however will later embody extra manufacturers.
The brand new Android Auto additionally contains loads of new options for Google built-in, a system that lets particular fashions use Google Play apps like Google Assistant or Google Maps with no telephone. Beginning with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3, automobiles with Google built-in can now entry the corporate’s new HD map, which incorporates highway particulars like lane markers, indicators, and highway limitations. Google built-in additionally allows video streaming in apps like Tubi and MGM+ whereas the automobile is stopped. Android added it might broaden that characteristic to the YouTube app quickly.
In Europe, the brand new Renault Austral Hybrid and Renault Megane E-Tech electrical autos are the primary to permit navigation by way of the Waze app as an alternative of Google Maps utilizing Google built-in. Ford and Lincoln fashions will acquire Google built-in later this yr, whereas Honda not too long ago joined the lineup with the 2023 Accord Touring.
