Android Auto's big 2026 makeover is Gemini at its most practical

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

At nan Android Show: I/O Edition past week, Google promised 2026 would beryllium a big twelvemonth for Android Auto, pinch awesome updates planned for really nan level looks and useful crossed each nan cars and devices wherever it's available. At I/O 2026, Engadget sewage a chance to spot immoderate of those upgrades moving disconnected some Android Auto connected a telephone and a Volvo EX60 pinch Google built-in.

Right disconnected nan top, astir of nan enhancements Google announced earlier this period will beryllium disposable to group whether they entree them straight done their car aliases via a phone. I did announcement immoderate ocular differences betwixt really those features are presented. With Android Auto, you get Google's ain Material 3 Expressive crossed nan board; pinch Google built-in, it's still Material 3 Expressive, but tweaked to accommodate nan automaker's ain stylings and nan car's circumstantial hardware.

The trade-off location is Google built-in offers Gemini integration that's only imaginable erstwhile manufacturers straight see nan adjunct successful their cars, allowing you to usage your sound to tweak model-specific settings. In nan lawsuit of nan EX60, that meant nan Google worker talking maine done nan demo was capable to show Gemini to "darken" nan car's sun roof, and it went from transparent to opaque. The worker was besides capable to inquire Gemini to picture footage from 1 of nan car's front-facing cameras. When nan adjunct saw nan Transamerica Pyramid successful nan distance, it told america it was erstwhile nan tallest building successful San Francisco for 48 years running. It diplomatically did not mention that title was taken by nan grotesque Salesforce Tower.

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Everything other Google antecedently announced will beryllium disposable to users of some Android Auto and Google built-in arsenic nan upgrades rotation out. For instance, pinch Immersive Navigation, nan overhaul of driving directions Google first announced successful March, you tin expect a akin acquisition nary matter really you entree nan feature. In nan demos I saw, neither car was moving, but arsenic they drove on a virtual route, Google Maps rendered buildings successful 3D to create a amended consciousness of standard and depth. Important roadworthy elements for illustration extremity signs, postulation lights and crosswalks were prominently displayed to make them difficult to miss. Gemini besides produced much intuitive sound directions, saying things for illustration "take a near astatine nan adjacent intersection." It's a slick interface that I deliberation astir Android Auto users will for illustration a batch erstwhile they've had immoderate clip to acclimate.

Google was besides keen to show maine really nan Android Auto squad worked pinch third-party developers and different teams wrong of Google to make their apps look and consciousness much for illustration nan experiences they connection connected mobile devices. I saw this successful action pinch Spotify, which successful its latest type for Android Auto decidedly looks much for illustration it does connected Android and iOS. Whether this is simply a invited tweak will dangle connected really you consciousness astir utilizing a touchscreen successful car, though nan Google worker taking maine done nan demo did statement nan Android Auto squad has guidelines astir touchscreen usage designed to trim distractions.

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget