Google is set to roll out some innovative new features for Android Auto, enhancing the user experience with a focus on functionality and convenience. Recent updates have unveiled support for app widgets on the Android Auto dashboard, a feature that promises to significantly change how users interact with their car's interface. The ongoing evolution of Android Auto's dashboard, which underwent a major redesign a few years ago, continues to pave the way for additional enhancements.
As discovered by Android Authority, Google is currently developing support for utilizing Android homescreen widgets directly on the Android Auto dashboard. This new capability will allow users to replace the existing media control widget with customizable widgets of their choice. Through the Android Auto app available on their smartphones, users can select and adjust the size of these widgets to fit their car’s display seamlessly.
The feature, which is currently referred to as “Earth,” is likely just a developer codename. Screenshots indicate that this functionality is still in the early stages of development, meaning it may take time before it becomes fully operational. Users can expect the homescreen version of the widgets to display directly on Android Auto, occupying the space that media controls currently use.
However, it’s important to note that these widgets may have limitations. For instance, while the media controls within a Spotify widget are functional, attempts to tap on album covers currently result in an error message stating, “this can’t be accessed on Android Auto.” This suggests that, at least for now, the interactivity of the widgets may be somewhat restricted.
Given that this feature is still in development, it’s difficult to predict how it will ultimately function or what specific widgets will be supported. Google is expected to impose certain limitations on the types of widgets available for use within Android Auto, but the potential for customization is exciting, especially considering that Apple CarPlay recently introduced similar widget support.
Beyond widget support, Android Auto is also working on various improvements in its upcoming version 15.6. During recent observations, it was noted that Google is updating Assistant shortcuts to be compatible with the new Gemini system. Additionally, the stock media control widget will soon allow support for multiple music applications, a significant upgrade from the current limitation of using one app at a time.
In the new version, users will be able to swipe between active music apps, enhancing the overall functionality of Android Auto. However, it’s important to remember that these features are not yet live. Given Google’s track record of lengthy development processes for new Android Auto features, it may take some time before these enhancements are available to the public.
The beta version of Android Auto 15.6 was recently released, where these new features were identified during testing. The current stable version, Android Auto 15.4, has also started rolling out more widely in recent days, giving users a glimpse of what’s to come.
In summary, the anticipated updates to Android Auto signal an exciting time for users, as Google continues to innovate and enhance the driving experience through technology. Stay tuned for more information on these features as they develop!
