Google
Android Auto's latest refresh will now adapt to the changing sizes and nature of the car's touchscreens. Google says its split-screen display will be a standard for all users, giving you access to critical features like navigation, messages, and the media player on one screen. This option used to be limited to certain vehicles, but it'll now be the default experience for everyone. And this system will adapt to any type of touchscreen. With screens getting larger in cars, like the 56-inch wide display on the Mercedes-Benz EQS, Google decided to adapt to this change.
"That was part of the new motivation behind this redesign, was being able to adapt our product better to these vehicles that are coming out with these massive portrait displays and massive widescreen displays," said Rod Lopez, lead product manager at Android Auto. "And so our approach has been working really closely with these OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] to make sure that things make sense and they work."
Having larger screens can increase the likelihood of drivers getting distracted by the displays. The Verge cited a recent study where drivers selecting music with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto had slower reaction times than those high from smoking pot. Google has been trying to find a solution for this, but it hasn't reached a definitive answer yet.
Lopez emphasized that safety is "top of mind," which motivates them to work with the OEMs to guarantee the experience is fully integrated into the car's design to minimize distraction.
Other updates include the option to respond to texts with standardized replies via one tap. Android Automotive, Google's embedded Android Auto system, now supports Tubi TV and Epix Now streaming services. And Android smartphone users can cast their content directly onto the car's screen.