Android Auto is getting extra than simply Google’s Gemini assistant after the Google I/O developer conference. The corporate has additionally introduced or in any other case proven off a slew of modifications coming to the infotainment working system, together with an up to date Spotify app, a lightweight mode, and the introduction of net 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 way of 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 units.
In vehicles with Android Auto, meaning anybody with Spotify will bounce in by tapping a brand new “Jam” icon on the automobile’s touchscreen, then scanning a QR code to begin including upcoming songs to the playlist. Being a Spotify characteristic, it’s way more inclusive than Apple Music’s related SharePlay characteristic, which requires everybody to have an Apple machine to take part. Spotify Jam will probably be accessible “within the coming months,” the corporate says.
Additionally within the video, Google says it’s including assist for Fast Share to vehicles with Google built-in quickly, letting customers do issues like add stops to in-progress Google Maps routes. The corporate additionally says it’s going so as to add passkey assist for its infotainment OS.
By way of a Google Figma equipment Google made for prototyping Android Auto app UI, we even have a brand new have a look at a lightweight mode theme the corporate is engaged on for Android Auto. Google didn’t truly say it’s rolling out a lightweight mode in its blog post about all of the modifications coming to Android Auto, however as 9to5Google notes, the UI possibility has been in 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 corporate says that app class, together with video apps, will probably 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 available in that model of its infotainment system. The corporate additionally introduced that assist for climate apps is formally out of beta.