Google said at its annual I/O conference that Android Auto, its popular in-car smartphone connectivity interface, is getting a major update. The key enhancements will focus on increasing the software’s flexibility and usability.
Highlights:
- Android Auto will adjust its size to fit a range of displays.
- The Google Assistant is getting a makeover.
- The Google Date will be rolled out over the next few months.
Android Auto will automatically resize to accommodate any screen size
The key issue that the new version will solve is inconsistency in the user interface (UI) across a wide range of screen sizes and shapes. Android Auto must scale and alter to fit when carmakers develop varied screens to suit their respective cars’ interiors. The screens can be landscape or portrait in orientation, and their aspect ratios can vary as well—for example, 16:9 in a Hyundai i20, 4:3 in a Land Rover Defender, and 9:16 in a Volvo XC60.
Split-screen functionality was also only available on a few vehicles, and where it wasn’t, Android Auto’s active functionalities were displayed small and in the center, surrounded by large brackets.
According to Google, Android Auto can now scale and conform to any screen, regardless of its shape or size, and can also enable split-screen capabilities in any vehicle.
Concentrate on your favorite Android Auto features
Google is also giving Android Auto a facelift, with the main UI and overall layout closely resembling the ‘Material Design’ template used by the latest Android handsets. In addition, the major interfaces of the UI will be redesigned. Most people use Android Auto for three things, according to Google’s data: navigation, media, and communication. As a result, specific tiles for these three functions will now appear on the Android Auto screen. The user may see all three alternatives on the screen at all times and tap on one to make it fill the entire screen.
The Google Assistant will function more efficiently
Finally, Google Assistant, the company’s voice-activated search and command interface, will receive an upgrade. It will suggest responses to your messages automatically, and you can even share your projected arrival time with a contact. Based on your listening history, it will also recommend new songs and playlists.
According to Google, these modifications will be phased in over the next few months and may differ depending on your car and mobile device.