Android Auto revamped – fits any screen shape, gets updated navigation

Android Auto has received a refreshed look and new features to better adapt Android phone projection to a car’s infotainment touchscreen display, as announced at Google’s I/O developer conference. The update not only affects Android Auto but also cars with built-in Google software.

Starting with one of the most notable improvements, Android Auto will now adapt to any screen shape, whether it is an ultrawide rectangular display, a circular screen often seen in MINI models, or even unique shapes like those in BMW’s Neue Klasse cars. Android Auto will fill the available screen space, eliminating awkward blank areas.

On top of that, a new design language called Google Material 3 Expressive brings smoother animations, expressive fonts, and crisp wallpapers. It also enables customisable widgets, allowing users to move and arrange favourite content such as a weather overview, a garage door opener, and more, all while navigation is running.

Speaking of navigation, Immersive Navigation introduces a clearer 3D view that displays buildings, overpasses, and terrain on Google Maps. Minute details such as lanes, traffic lights, and stop signs have also been added to help with navigating tricky turns. Another new Android Auto feature is the ability to watch videos on YouTube, but only when the car is parked. Once the car starts moving, playback switches to audio-only mode in the background, allowing for a seamless transition. Supported cars and apps will also feature Dolby Atmos for a richer sound experience, with support for YouTube Music and Spotify for greater ease of use.

Google’s Gemini Intelligence is integrated naturally, enabling Android Auto to understand context and anticipate tasks on the user’s behalf. For example, it can find an answer from a text message sent by a friend asking for an address, allowing users to reply with a suggested response in a single tap based on past interactions.

All of the mentioned features will also be available in cars equipped with built-in Google software, along with a variety of downloadable apps such as Zoom. Making use of the front camera, Immersive Navigation in cars with built-in Google software will feature live lane guidance to determine which lane the vehicle is in and inform drivers when and where to switch lanes or take an exit.

Google says it is collaborating more closely with automakers to further integrate built-in apps with a vehicle’s hardware, enabling users to enquire about specific vehicle functions or even determine whether a package can fit in the boot.