GoKawiilC. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR Google is widely rolling out the new Media Playback template for Android Auto, bringing a consistent UI to music player apps like Spotify and YouTube Music.
The update features a wavy progress bar and moves the Play/Pause and track controls to the left side of the screen.
Changes are being enabled via a server-side switch, meaning users may see the new look automatically if their app is up to date.
Google gave music player apps like Spotify and YouTube Music the opportunity to have a consistent look and experience on Android Auto through the new Media Playback template that it introduced last year. The template was also updated with a new wavy progress bar, and there’s room for further improvements that will equally apply to all music player apps that use the template. It seems Google is finally ready with the template, as we’re now seeing user reports indicating a wider rollout.
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There were reports earlier in the year that the Media Playback template was rolling out to users when Android Auto v16.0 hit the stable branch. However, Google’s feature rollouts often rely on server-side switches for staged rollouts (which helps them catch bugs before they can impact too many users). As a result, many users didn’t see the new music player UI even after updating their Android Auto app.
New UI New UI
We’re now seeing more reports from users that the new music player UI, utilizing the new Media Playback template, is rolling out widely. Many users have reported in this Reddit thread that they are now walking into the new UI on their cars, with no action taken on their end.
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