The Search Engine Tech Giant is rolling out the new UI for its Android Auto app. The company teased Android Auto’s new user interface featuring multitasking in Google IO 2022.
What is Android Auto?
To those unaware, Android Auto is an application developed by Google to reflect some of the features of an Android smartphone on the available car display. Once you have paired your device with your car’s show, you can use some useful applications on your display. It helps you focus on your drive without interrupting your regular work, including sending or receiving text messages, navigating Google maps, listening to your favourite podcast or media apps, and having easy access to what you want while driving.
The company regularly updates the application to make the driving experience of a consumer safer and more accessible. At the beginning of 2022, the company displayed the new UI for the Android Auto app. This article will discuss the latest update, features, and more. Read more to find out.
What are the features of the Android Auto app?
Android Auto is your intelligent driving companion, which helps you stay connected and entertained with Google Assistant. It has a very simplified and easy-to-use interface which makes the supported app loved by you run smoothly while you are on the road.
With the help of Google Assistant, you can give the tasks right on your vehicle’s display. Some of them are as follows:
- You can select a route to your next destination using Google Maps with real-time GPS navigation and traffic alerts.
- Quickly, you can get updates on your way, ETA, and hazards in real-time.
- You can check your calendar to know where you need to be.
- You will be able to set reminders, get updates on the news, and check last night’s score.
- You can avoid distractions while driving by setting a custom “do not disturb” message while driving.
- Android Auto makes it easier to Make calls using Google Assistant and answer incoming calls with a tap.
- You can access your contacts folder and send and receive messages with Google Assistant using SMS, WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, and many more messaging apps.
- You can manage your entertainment and broadcast system like never before.
- You can have access to listen to your favourite media apps, including Spotify, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, and TIDAL – High Fidelity Music Streaming. Music, radio, sports news, audiobooks, and podcast apps are also supported.
With many features covered, let’s head on to the update tracker, where we will discuss the new changelog available via the update to the Android Auto app.
Android Auto Update Tracker 2023
The company updates the app frequently. And for 2023, we have the following changelog:
March 24: In February 2023, the official release of Android Auto 9.0 commenced its roll-out to all users. Now Android Auto 9.2 beta version is available. The current version has a codename of 9.2.1312. Though an official changelog is not available, certain new changes have been discovered by users.
February 21: Android Auto 9.0 Beta is now available. The new build, version 9.0.1307, is out for developers. It brings absolutely no noticeable changes at all.
February 8: Google continues fixing some Android Auto bugs and issues with each update. Now Android Auto 8.9 beta version is available for everyone. The latest version makes the transition smoother. Also, the Material You redesign looks better.
February 1: Android Auto 8.8 beta testing is now completed. The stable build (version 8.8.630404) is now available for all users. If you have not received the update on your device, you should wait for a few hours.
January 25: Google releases Android Auto 8.8 in the beta channel. Unfortunately, there is no good news regarding Coolwalk UI’s availability. With version 8.8, Google has removed the wireless connection dedicated toggle option from the settings screen. The update mainly focuses on bug fixing and improvements.
January 16: The beta version 8.7.1302 is now available. The beta tester can install the new update and experience the Coolwalk UI.
January 9: Google has not shared an exact date for the Android Auto redesign rollout. However, it should not take too long anyway. The update is being rolled out in stages. So, you can’t do anything to enable it other than wait. Downgrading or updating to a specific version via APK won’t bring you the redesign either. You will get to experience the Coolwalk in the coming weeks. The latest beta build is 8.7.1301, which brings improvements to New UI.
January 6: The New-Generation Android Auto is finally here. The new version has started rolling out to everyone in phases. The new generation focuses on navigating, communicating with others, and playing music. It was known as Coolwalk during the beta program that included a massive redesign of the Android Auto experience. Other features include universal split-screen support, smart Google Assistant suggestions, quick arrival time-sharing, new high-definition maps, and improved messaging and media. You can read more from google’s blog post.
December 10: Google has started pushing a new Android Auto beta build with version 8.6.1249. Dark mode on car UI is now separate from the smartphone. The update brings several improvements and bug fixes.
November 24: Google is rolling out a new beta build of Android Auto. It comes with version 8.6.1246. The package size is 35.41MB. The update improves the User Experience and DND functionality. It also fixes some issues.
November 16: Google Android Auto app is receiving a new update with version 8.5.6245. The update brings bug fixes and improvements to improve the user experience and the app’s stability.
November 4: Google Android Auto app is receiving a new update with beta version 8.5.1.244. The update brings bug fixes and improvements to enhance the application’s performance.
October 21: Google Android Auto is receiving a new beta update with version 8.4.1242. The update brings bug fixes, enhances the user experience, and increases the app’s stability.
October 4: Google Android Auto is receiving a new update with version 8.2.6239. The update brings performance improvements, bug fixes, enhancements, etc.
The company officially showcased the new UI, called Coolwalk, of Android Auto back in 2021, but since then, they have been silent. And finally, now, the public beta for the new Coolback UI. The most anticipated Android Auto Coolwalk UI is reportedly being rolled out to most car head units across the globe. Hence, Google released Android Auto v8.5.6245 with Coolwalk UI via the stable channel. And we are going to talk about the new UI, the features offered by it, etc.
With the help of a new interface, users can run many apps at a time on the car’s screen. The UI is now cleaner, snappier, and displays more information than the previous version. The split-screen functionality has now been more refined and polished. To clarify, the new Coolwack UI is inspired by the Apple CarPlay dashboard.
The new Coolwalk UI offers the following features:
- The most useful Google Maps is now larger making it accessible to the driver, not straining the eyes.
- The media card available on the dashboard has now been completely redesigned, and it expands and contracts based on usage. With just one swipe, you can access recommendations by Google Assistant for music and other apps, etc.
- In addition to the rail or bar is the new app dock which makes it simple to switch between recently used applications with one tap.
- There are now more options for layouts on a large screen.
- The Material You elements and layouts are now available with the new Coolwalk UI of the Android Auto app.
Does your device support Android Auto Application?
You will need an active data connection and a smartphone running Android 6.0 or higher for Android Auto to run on your device. Over 400 car models now support Android Auto. To find out if your car display is compatible and how to enable it, check your owner’s manual or contact your car’s manufacturer. Once enabled, use a high-quality USB cable to connect your phone to your vehicle, and then use Android Auto.
It is important to note that if you are on a new UI (Coolwalk UI) of the Android Auto app, you must have an Android 8.0 or higher version installed on your device. Rest all the procedure remains the same.
