Latest Android Auto update brings improved UI to different touchscreen sizes

Android Auto is one of the two leading smartphone connectivity experiences for cars today. Its proprietor, Google, has continued furnishing the software with regular updates since its March 2015 launch.

Available in everything from entry-level vehicles like the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 to seven-seater family SUVs like the Isuzu mu-X, Android Auto has become a must-have feature for many buyers.

Google's latest update sees Android Auto pay more attention to the broader range of touchscreen sizes currently available in the car market. Before this update, specific vehicle models benefited from a split-screen display that enabled them to access features like messages, navigation, and media player from a single screen. Now Google says split-screen will be the default user interface (UI) experience for all Android Auto users.

We used to have a different screen mode that was available in a very limited amount of cars. Now this is available no matter what type of display you have, what size, what form factor, and it’s a really, really exciting update.

Rod Lopez
Lead Product Manager, Android Auto

Vehicle touchscreen infotainment systems have evolved in recent years, with automakers like Ford opting for more radical designs like the portrait-style displays on the next-gen Ranger and Everest. Others have experimented with horizontal, widescreen displays that spread across the dashboard. Whatever the layout is, Android Auto will now adapt to any touchscreen size by using the split-screen interface as default. The change will be seamless and should ensure a better experience for a greater number of users.

Google is also working on several other updates, including a feature that will allow users to send canned responses to messages with one tap. These updates should become available to Android Auto users when Google rolls them out. Users should check for updates to get the full benefits of the latest features of Android Auto.