Andy Walker / Android Authority
Despite the critical content I often write about Android Auto, I have a deep fondness for Google’s phone-to-car mirroring service. Whether I’m dropping my partner off at work, going on a long road trip, or nipping to the shop in a foreign town, Auto keeps me entertained, helps me communicate with loved ones, and aids navigation while driving. The experience isn’t flawless, though, especially when focusing on that latter use case.
Google Maps is a mostly reliable and robust mapping application on Android, but its problems become apparent when used through Android Auto. Beyond its often questionable navigation suggestions, its UI frequently disrupts and distracts in an environment where information should be as legible as possible. This issue stems from Google’s reluctance to give drivers more UI control.
Have you ever experienced a UI bug on Google Maps on Android Auto? 6 votes Yes, more often than I can count. 0 % Yes, but infrequently. 17 % No, but I have experienced bugs on other Android Auto mapping apps. 33 % No, Google Maps runs flawlessly for me on Android Auto. 50 %
Android Auto should be a customizable control surface in the car
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
So why am I bringing up this issue now? It’s not due to a lack of content, but because of yet another annoying visual bug I’ve encountered.
Android Auto — specifically, Google Maps on Android Auto — is buggier than an anthill. Every update Google issues, while adding functionality, seems to break a UI element. Last week, when I hopped into my car, plugged in my trusty Android Auto dongle, and drove off, I noticed something peculiar — Google Maps’ usually light gray roads were now darker and oversaturated, hiding the color-coded traffic congestion streaks. A few days after I started writing this piece, the issue apparently resolved itself, but it highlights one of my core gripes with Google’s handling of Android Auto’s interface.
Any visual change to a core element in the car is a potential distraction on the road.
Any visual change to a core element in the car is a potential distraction on the road. Imagine if your indicator stalks and washer stalks or radio tuner and volume knobs switched positions overnight — that would take some getting used to, right? We all have our cars set up in a way that suits our driving style, improving comfort and accessibility and, therefore, the occupants’ safety.
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