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Android Auto users report that Gemini has stopped controlling smart home devices like AC units and lights while driving, with the assistant now replying that it cannot control such devices through Google Maps. The issue follows similar complaints on Wear OS, which Google said it had already fixed, though it's unclear if the two problems are related. Some users say the same commands still function inside the standalone Gemini app.
Some Android Auto beta users report that the cellular signal strength indicator, which vanished from the dashboard earlier this year, is reappearing after updating to version 17.8.1638. Users say the icon now shows up again beside the battery status indicator, though clearing the app cache may be required for it to reappear.
ATF agents arrested 19-year-old Emani Rey Justavino of Jacksonville after he sold undercover agents 3D-printed 'Glock switches,' devices that convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic weapons, in two separate transactions in August. Investigators traced the sales back to Instagram accounts advertising the parts, with Justavino allegedly offering dozens more printed devices and a Glock 19 handgun during the deal. He was formally charged on September 3 and taken into custody on September 10.
General Motors is rolling out a redesigned infotainment interface on two of its truck models that gives Apple CarPlay and Android Auto a dedicated window alongside native apps, rather than the full screen takeover typically offered by these platforms. GM has not explained why trucks are getting this treatment, only stating it wants to reduce the number of steps drivers need to navigate.
Rockstar has confirmed the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto VI, titled Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, comprising 34 original songs. Six singles are already available, featuring artists like Travis Scott, Keith Richards, Morgan Wallen and Yung Lean, spanning multiple genres. The album will release on streaming services, CD and vinyl on November 19th, matching the game's launch date.
GM unveiled new dashboard software for its next-generation gas-powered pickups, the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, featuring a redesigned home screen, tighter Super Cruise integration, and improved compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The upgrade applies only to combustion models, continuing GM's separate strategy for its EV lineup, which dropped phone-mirroring support in 2023 in favor of Google Built-In software.
Microsoft revealed its September Xbox Game Pass additions, headlined by prequel title Gears of War: E-Day and Minecraft Dungeons 2, arriving alongside titles like RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Kernel Hearts. The rollout comes as Microsoft faces scrutiny over the service's costs, having already announced it will cap cloud gaming hours by tier starting in November instead of offering unlimited access.
Because Android Auto ships as a regular Play Store app rather than a system component, it normally updates automatically in the background, but that process can stall if a phone lacks Wi-Fi access or auto-update settings are disabled. Users can check their version by searching for Android Auto in the Play Store, where an Uninstall button confirms they already have the latest release, or an Update button lets them install it manually. Devices need Android 9.0 or later, released in 2018, to receive current updates.
Sony has revealed its September 2026 PS Plus lineup, giving Extra and Premium subscribers access to RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a cooperative survival RPG, and WWE 2K26, a wrestling simulation featuring a CM Punk-focused Showcase mode. RuneScape: Dragonwilds becomes available on Tuesday, with WWE 2K26 and additional titles rounding out the month's offerings.
General Motors is reversing course on plans to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, instead building a new infotainment interface that runs them alongside native vehicle gauges in a splitscreen layout. The system debuts in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, which feature roughly 60 inches of combined screen space including a passenger video display, and will later expand to other GM models. GM says it collaborated directly with Apple and Google to design the shared-screen experience.
Elegoo's Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, a beginner-friendly 3D printer, is currently discounted to $369 from its usual $449. The printer supports four filament rolls simultaneously and includes a fully enclosed print chamber, an auto-leveling bed, and a large touchscreen interface for managing print jobs.
Google is now widely deploying Gemini as the default digital assistant across Android Auto, replacing the standard Google Assistant for drivers who haven't already switched manually. Users can still enable it themselves via Settings, and once active, Gemini handles voice interactions, messaging, music requests and more inside the car.