Andy Walker / Android Authority
Android Auto is a Google product I use every day, and every day it does a brilliant job of annoying me. OK, I’ll admit, I wouldn’t use it if it didn’t add some value to my time on the road, but that doesn’t mean it’s a finished, immaculate product. Google still has a long way to go to get its premier in-car phone mirroring product to that pinnacle.
To be fair to Google, recent updates have addressed some of its user base’s biggest annoyances. It mostly remedied its curious Material You update, which drained the interface’s vibrancy, and more recently, it finally stopped the search bar in Google Maps from auto-expanding on app launch. That small change is a huge convenience win.
Seeing that Google is in a fixing mood, what else could it change in Android Auto to bring it closer to perfection? Here’s my humble pitch list and wishlist.
What would you like to see Google address in Android Auto? 125 votes I want a graphical option to adjust the navigation volume level. 22 % I want more shortcut options in the app drawer. 5 % I want Google to give me more customizations and control over UI elements. 22 % I want a more reliable voice assistant that understands my commands. 23 % I want a passenger mode to allow passengers to control Android Auto. 13 % I want Google to implement its own version of Apple CarPlay widgets. 6 % I want something else (elaborate in the comments). 10 %
Simplify navigation volume controls
Andy Walker / Android Authority
As a control surface on my car’s dashboard, Android Auto should make basic tasks easy to find and quick to execute. This isn’t always the case in reality, and one task it complicates is adjusting Android Auto’s navigation voice and alert volume.
I can only adjust these levels when Google Maps, Waze, or my mapping app of the day is actively issuing directions or alerts. At that moment, turning the volume knob (or button) up or down will change this volume exclusively. However, there’s a small problem I’ve experienced many times before. Suppose I turn the volume down too forcefully — when it’s talking over my partner, for example — and I accidentally mute it. As I can’t hear any navigation instructions, returning it to an audible level while driving becomes nearly impossible.
Yes, Google Maps provides a navigation sample volume feature that lets me listen to a dummy command and adjust the sound levels accordingly. However, this solution involves far more steps than a simple button tap.
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