Android Auto is getting extra than simply Google’s Gemini assistant after the Google I/O developer convention. The firm has additionally introduced or in any other case proven off a slew of adjustments coming to the infotainment working system, together with an up to date Spotify app, a light-weight mode, and the introduction of internet browsers and video apps.
Let’s begin with Spotify. Google revealed in a video final week that the Spotify app for Android Auto is getting an overhaul by new media app templates the corporate is making accessible to builders. One characteristic the music service is including to Android Auto is Spotify Jam, a characteristic that lets customers share management of an audio supply from their particular person gadgets.
In vehicles with Android Auto, meaning anybody with Spotify will soar in by tapping a brand new “Jam” icon on the automobile’s touchscreen, then scanning a QR code to start out including upcoming songs to the playlist. Being a Spotify characteristic, it’s rather more inclusive than Apple Music’s comparable SharePlay characteristic, which requires everybody to have an Apple system to take part. Spotify Jam shall be accessible “within the coming months,” the corporate says.
Also within the video, Google says it’s including assist for Quick Share to vehicles with Google built-in quickly, letting customers do issues like add stops to in-progress Google Maps routes. The firm additionally says it’s going so as to add passkey assist for its infotainment OS.
Through a Google Figma package Google made for prototyping Android Auto app UI, we even have a brand new take a look at a light-weight mode theme the corporate is engaged on for Android Auto. Google didn’t truly say it’s rolling out a light-weight mode in its weblog put up about all of the adjustments coming to Android Auto, however as 9to5Google notes, the UI choice has been within the works for years.
One factor that Google did point out — and briefly at that — is that browser and video apps are coming to Android Auto. The firm says that app class, together with video apps, shall be accessible “quickly” for Android Auto and that gaming apps can be found already accessible in beta. Naturally, Google says these options will solely work whereas a automobile is in park. The browsers characteristic is already accessible in beta for vehicles with Google built-in, whereas video apps are already accessible in that model of its infotainment system. The firm additionally introduced that assist for climate apps is formally out of beta.
