Android Auto redesign takes up your whole display, adds widgets
9to5Google • • technology
Key Points:
- Google is rolling out a redesign for Android Auto that introduces Material 3 Expressive elements, including phone fonts, wallpapers, and smoother animations, along with a floating app bar and an app drawer that slides into place rather than taking over the display.
- The update allows Android Auto to utilize the full car display by expanding the Google Maps background to bleed into the rest of the screen, although actual support depends on the vehicle’s hardware.
- A significant new feature is the addition of widget support on the Android Auto dashboard, enabling users to access widgets like clock, contacts, Google Home controls, weather, and Photos in a scrollable stack overlaying the map.
- Other enhancements include support for video apps, new capabilities under the Gemini Intelligence initiative, and expanded Google Maps Immersive Navigation features.
- Google has not provided a specific timeline for the rollout but indicated that these updates will be released gradually throughout the year.