New Android Auto will adapt to any screen size using split-screen interface

[Daniel Sims]

In context: Along with announcing a new smartphone, earbuds, and a smartwatch at Google I/O 2022 this week, Google also confirmed significant updates for its car infotainment software. Android Auto is receiving a new interface designed to speed up access to its most popular features.

Android Auto's new interface is set to arrive later this summer. Its biggest change is a new split-screen look that simultaneously displays windows for navigation, messaging, and audio control.

This will let users look at a navigation map, control their music or podcasts, and communicate with contacts without switching between different apps. Google chose those three functions for multitasking after feedback indicated they were the most popular. These windows can rearrange to adapt to the different screen orientations in various cars.

Google plans to add more to this interface in the coming months. This may include contextual suggestions for messaging and choosing what music to play.

Users will also be able to send the navigation system's estimated arrival times to their contacts. The company hopes this will lower the amount of time users look at the infotainment system instead of the road.

Enabling video streaming apps sounds counter to decreasing distractions, but soon the Google built-in infotainment system will allow them while the car is parked. These will include YouTube, Tubi, Epix Now, web browsers, and content streamed from phones.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/94588-new-android-auto-adapt-any-screen-size-using.html

 

[Nanochip]

Seems that CarPlay had some inspiration on the new android auto design…

 

[yRaz]

This feature was introduced into the Linux kernel back in 2016 when they revamped how GUIs worked. Get your Sh*t together google

 

[hahahanoobs]

Things like this make me yell, "What took you so long?!"

I'm not gonna lie. A lot of software and UI decisions confuse the hell out of me. It's like people aren't even trying far too often. Even the ones with massive budgets. This change would have exceeded my expectations 10 years ago. In 2022 it just meets them.

 

[AMN3S1AC]

Or, just keep your eyes on the road.

 

[Lounds]

It's about time. Although my favourite Google app was trips and they scrapped it, it was so good for planning trips and see what was available to do in a location.

 

[passwordistaco]

Touchscreens in vehicles are a terrible idea.

 

[Francton]

Good that they are finally waking up to the reality of big screens. What I don't understand though, is why doesn't Google allow me to maximise any one application to full screen (example navigation)? I understand many users may want a split screen, I like it too, but when I'm using navigation, I prefer maps to cover the entire screen like it does on my BMW idrive (I can toggle between split and full on the idrive). Once upon a time,Google was all about choice. this is a simple software feature that they stubbornly refuse to consider.

 

[Steveb8189]

Good that they are finally waking up to the reality of big screens. What I don't understand though, is why doesn't Google allow me to maximise any one application to full screen (example navigation)? I understand many users may want a split screen, I like it too, but when I'm using navigation, I prefer maps to cover the entire screen like it does on my BMW idrive (I can toggle between split and full on the idrive). Once upon a time,Google was all about choice. this is a simple software feature that they stubbornly refuse to consider.

I'm sure it will allow you to do this too given that is current functionality