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Media apps in Android Auto are about to get a big design boost

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Why This Matters

Google is enhancing Android Auto's media app experience with new design features, components, and templates that enable more expressive and user-friendly interfaces. These updates aim to improve usability and engagement for consumers while providing developers with advanced tools to innovate within the automotive environment. The rollout includes support for video playback and seamless app transitions, marking a significant step forward in in-car entertainment technology.

Key Takeaways

TL;DR Google is bringing new features to media apps on Android Auto.

Developers will be able to use new components, expanded headers, spotlight sections, and more to offer a better app experience.

Apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Gaana, and others are already incorporating the new features.

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The Car App Library is getting new features to help developers build more expressive app experiences on Android Auto and in Cars with Google Built-in. App developers will be able to use expanded headers for visual emphasis, spotlight sections for highlighting content, new progress bars, and new grid item variations.

Additionally, developers will be able to use new components, including chips, compact items, and interactive headers, in their media apps. There’s also a new mini-player component that lets users control playback while browsing through the app.

These updates to the Car App Library are coming with 1.8.0-beta01 and 1.9.0-alpha01, and developers can already sign up for early access to the new templates. However, popular apps, including Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and others, are already incorporating the new features to improve their media experiences.

Support for video playback in cars, originally announced last week, will start rolling out to compatible vehicles later this year and will be available to users with devices running Android 17 or higher.

Google also announced new updates coming later this year. Developers will be able to offer a templated experience that can seamlessly transition into the full app experience when users park their cars.

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