NEWS
Google announced updates to Android Auto’s interface designed to improve its usability. Improvements include a new home screen, a more useful “navigation bar” for music and navigation applications, and a new widescreen format.
Related: What Is Android Auto?
According to Google, “The new interface is built to help you get on the road faster, show more useful information at a glance and simplify common tasks while driving.” Android Auto will now, upon connecting, start playing your media and immediately open your preferred navigation app.
With the new navigation bar, music controls will still be available when using a navigation app, and turn-by-turn directions will remain visible along with music controls when using a music app. The bar allows for easier access to more functions without having to hunt for them, reducing driving distraction.
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Other features include a new notification center for, well, all your notifications for calls, messages and other alerts, as well as a darker color scheme to better match common vehicle interior colors. Google says Android Auto will also do a better job using available screen space, great for those whose cars have wider multimedia screens.
The update will roll out “later this summer.”
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