Google showed me the future of Android Auto - and now I dread my own car

the future of Android Auto - and now I dread my own car">

My first thought after demoing the upcoming Android Auto features at Google I/O this week was the dread of going back to my own car, innocently parked on the other side of the country. I've been an Android Auto user for years now, and while I'd like to think that I'm one of the more fortunate drivers who's experienced only a few connectivity problems, the AI takeover across all of life's consumer tech products has given me hope for something greater. A YouTube video player on the dashboard isn't that, to be clear, but many of the other new Android Auto additions, like self-generated widgets and immersive navigation, should make a big difference to my driving experience.

Here are my first impressions of the latest features, set to launch later this year. It's one thing to hear Google explain all the Material 3 Expressive changes that decorate the upcoming Android Auto interface, but it's another to actually sit in a car with the software running. Case in point: seeing Google Maps, the new three-panel layout with smart home controls, and a video player that automatically minimizes to audio-only on a Volvo EX60 spoiled me.

You can even stack your own prompt-generated widgets for a tailored experience. For my demo, a Google employee created a weather widget that clearly indicates whether the weather is suitable for running and biking. I'm more of a "summarize the traffic for my commute this morning and find a local bakery for a quick bite" kind of guy, but that's the beauty of custom widgets.

Here's to hoping they can meet our creative demands. Notably, elements on the screen fit and flow more seamlessly, with round-edged designs and color theming that make the car interface feel more like an Android tablet and less like a split-screen of random apps. I'm a bigger fan of the new immersive navigation in Google Maps, which more accurately portrays buildings, stadiums, hills, and other terrain features, giving drivers and passengers a clearer sense of the path ahead.

I'd find this particularly helpful, as there are several overpasses and tunnels throughout New York City, and it can often be a struggle to find the right lane for certain turns. Don't judge. I'm a big believer in integrating AI with hands-free operating systems, such as Android Auto, Google TV, and Android XR.

An assistant is most effective when you simply don't have the bandwidth (and concentration) to handle tasks, whether that's typing in your next destination, scouting the area, or responding to a notification. That's why having Gemini on board is a big deal. With cars that support Android Automotive (the built-in software), such as the Volvo EX60 I was in, you can now ask Gemini to make vehicle-specific adjustments, such as darkening the sunroof or changing the ambient light colors.