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My first thought after demoing the upcoming Android Auto features at Google I/O this week was the dread of going back to my own car, innocently parked on the other side of the country.
I've been an Android Auto user for years now, and while I'd like to think that I'm one of the more fortunate drivers who's experienced only a few connectivity problems, the AI takeover across all of life's consumer tech products has given me hope for something greater.
Also: Everything we saw at Google I/O: Gemini 3.5, Android XR glasses, Spark, and more
A YouTube video player on the dashboard isn't that, to be clear, but many of the other new Android Auto additions, like self-generated widgets and immersive navigation, should make a big difference to my driving experience. Here are my first impressions of the latest features, set to launch later this year.
A more contextual appearance
It's one thing to hear Google explain all the Material 3 Expressive changes that decorate the upcoming Android Auto interface, but it's another to actually sit in a car with the software running.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Case in point: seeing Google Maps, the new three-panel layout with smart home controls, and a video player that automatically minimizes to audio-only on a Volvo EX60 spoiled me. You can even stack your own prompt-generated widgets for a tailored experience. For my demo, a Google employee created a weather widget that clearly indicates whether the weather is suitable for running and biking.
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