Yesterday we reported on the new Android Auto update that was slowly rolling out to users. Today Google have details those changes as well as a few more in their Android Auto blog post.
Along with the new media browsing interface and messaging preview Google have also announced improved search features and group messaging capabilities. The new media browsing interface can be seen in media apps such as Google Play Books, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts and Spotify. The new messaging features are available in Messages, Hangouts and Whatsapp with the promise of more messaging apps to be added in the “coming months”.
The new search features were something that escaped us yesterday but Google have outlined the improvements they have made to the voice search capabilities. Now when you search using your voice it will not automatically play its result but will give you other options for what it has found under those search parameters — categorised as well.
In addition to the message preview we touched on yesterday, Android Auto now supports apps that use MMS and RCS while will include group messaging support and possibly picture messaging, although that seems counter productive to what Android Auto is designed to do. It will be interesting to see what Google to do implement this, or whether they do at all.
The update will be fully available to all users in the next “several days”. If you have already downloaded it let us know in the comments below what you think of it.
the new music and podcast layout views are awesome! very welcome change.
Got my update yesterday, haven’t received a message whilst driving but loving the popup for the song name when the music changes. That’s a great new feature.
will Uber Driver run on Android Auto (with touch functions active )?
I have been wondering why most of my messages don’t come through, they are all RCS. So I noticed the new update today so hopefully that fixes it.
I downloaded the APK yesterday and I like the new media displays but haven’t seen the message previews yet. When are they going to integrate Google Podcasts?
Needs some proof reading (while will, Google to do).
Since GPS explains if vehicle of moving, they can throw a prompt asking if you’re the passenger to continue or else wait until stopped.