During Google’s Android Show: I/O Edition, the company announced a number of updates and changes for Android Auto focused on refreshing the interface, upgrading navigation, expanding in-car entertainment options, and delivering more Gemini assistant features.
“With more than 250 million Android Auto-compatible cars on the road today,” said Guemmy Kim, Senior Director, Product & UX, Android for Cars, “we continue to bring the best of your phone to every drive. The next generation of Android Auto features a stunning new experience, premium entertainment and a more helpful Gemini.”
“And those aren’t the only updates we’re bringing to your garage. Cars with Google built-in, now available in more than 100 models from 16 brands, are getting new and improved apps, including a more deeply integrated Gemini and Google Maps.”
These updates will roll out throughout the year, according to Google.
Redesigned interface and widgets
Android Auto adopts the Material 3 Expressive look from Android phones with new fonts, smoother animations, wallpapers, and customizable widgets. Widgets let you surface shortcuts and at-a-glance info, including favourite locations, garage door controls, weather, and more, without leaving navigation.
What stands out is that the design adapts to any screen shape, whether your car has an ultrawide, circular, or custom shape, so the experience looks polished across all vehicles and reducing the number of taps needed for common tasks.
Launching Immersive Navigation
Immersive Navigation launches on Android Auto with a vivid 3D map view that shows buildings, overpasses, terrain, and highlights critical details like lanes, traffic lights, and stop signs.
The experience delivers richer visual cues and lane-level details to make merges, exits, and multi-lane turns easier to follow.
Premium entertainment and audio upgrades
One of the most exciting updates is the addition of full HD 60 fps video playback in supported cars when parked, with a seamless transition to audio-only when you start driving. Media apps like YouTube, YouTube Music, and Spotify will receive visual updates, and select cars and apps will support spatial audio via Dolby Atmos.
Supported brands at launch include BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes‑Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo.
Gemini Intelligence on the road
Gemini will become available in Android Auto to help understand context, anticipate needs, and act on your behalf. Some examples of how that will work include composing context-aware replies with Magic Cue and placing orders, starting with DoorDash, via simple voice commands.
Talking about AI is complex, and there are a number of uses where many people actively don’t want to use it, but integrating Gemini into Android Auto has a number of benefits. There is a vital difference in AI that’s used to create art, versus AI that’s being used to navigate, improve safety in vehicles, and complete tasks.
