Android Auto allows you to retrieve content from your Android smartphone and display it on your car’s screen. Since its first appearance in 2015, it has proven to be a very useful feature for connected drivers. Announced at CES 2023, Google finally got the long-awaited overhaul(opens in new window) Prioritize navigation, communication, music and podcast playback. Of course, these features are already the focus of Android Auto, but this update makes all these tasks more accessible and fun while you ride. Let’s see the changes.
The first update is a small but significant change in the placement of Google Maps. Now it’s closer to the driver on the display, making it faster and easier to set a destination or get navigation directions without taking your eyes off the road. Google also made the split-screen layout adaptable to different screen sizes, so it works well in different cars with different displays.
Google says the new Android Auto update works well on all different screen sizes (Credit: Google)
The company says Google Assistant will now offer contextual suggestions such as missed call reminders, arrival time sharing, and quick access to music and podcasts. You can also view Quick His shortcuts on your car display. This makes replying to important messages safer, for example.
Another new feature is a seekable progress bar for music and podcasts. With it, you can slide your finger to different points in a track or podcast. From a practical standpoint, pinpointing the exact playback spot while driving can be difficult, but you have options (you can even let your passengers do this).
Android Auto now lets you share your ETA with a single tap (Credit: Google)
Finally, Google announced that Pixel and Samsung phones will soon be able to make calls using WhatsApp with Android Auto. Additionally, Google is allowing Samsung and Xiaomi phone owners to share digital car keys with friends and family, just like Pixel and iPhone users. We are also adding new features to some vehicles. For example, the Waze app is now available on certain of his Renault vehicles, and the company’s new HD maps are now available on his Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90.
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Overall, these are positive changes for Android users. An update is currently rolling out. If you have a car that supports Android Auto, be sure to update to try out the new user interface and features.
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