Video: Android Auto redesign finally official, & Volvo/Polestar getting high-def Google Maps

UPDATE: 'Coolwalk' update coming soon, Volvo & Polestar to get high-definition Google Maps

At (very, very) long last, Google's refreshed Android Auto interface – known internally as 'Coolwalk', probably because it's coming to us at a walking pace – is finally on the way.

Given a proper unveiling at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the new-look Android Auto brings the phone-mirroring platform much closer to Apple's popular Carplay system in appearance.

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As the video below demonstrates, the new-look interface splits the view into two tiles, split more-or-less into thirds. The main view shows maps in the larger tile, with media in the narrower tile. Flip into the media app, however, and it will take over the larger tile while the maps swap over to the narrower tile.

A launcher and status bar is also visible, showing the icons for four recent and most commonly used apps, along with the Google Assistant button, app drawer button – and basic details like signal, phone battery, and the time.

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Depending on the size and proportions of the car's display, the tiles will cascade either left-right or top-bottom, while the launcher will either appear on the side (either left or right depending on your preferred settings), or along the bottom.

As notifications come in, they slide down from the top right to form a third panel to be tapped or dismissed as needed.

In some respects, this interface merely builds on the existing Android Auto, which – sometime over the past year or two – gained the ability to split into two panes on wider displays, although the appearance and animations are simpler than what's shown here.

When will the new Android Auto be available?

Good question, squire. Great question. Google says it's rolling out to "everyone", "starting today". Well, I can tell you I climbed into my car for the drive to work this morning and was not greeted by the new interface or a waiting update in the Google Play store – but I confess I'm not known for my patience.

Still, after more than a year of waiting for this update, it's refreshing to know it now won't be far away.

We hope.

Volvo & Polestar to gain high-definition Google Maps before it rolls out to others

Google has confirmed it will deliver new high-definition maps to Volvo and its offshoot slash Geely stablemate Polestar, both of whom were early partners for Google's fully integrated Android Automotive operating system – now known as Google Built-In.

The new maps will provide a higher level of granular details not previously offered, right down to lane markings, road signs and traffic barriers – all coded into and recognised by the system so that the vehicle's camera, sensors and cameras are less burdened with on-the-fly object recognition and identification.

The enhanced system is considered a step forward in more accurate safety systems and, ultimately, safer driving – particularly as we move slowly (much slower than many expected) towards the launch of vehicles capable of fully autonomous driving.

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“Building on our long history of mapping the world, Google’s new HD map is designed specifically for automakers and provides comprehensive lane-level and localization data that is crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems,” said Jørgen Behrens, VP and general manager of Geo Automotive, Google, in a statement.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with leading automakers like Volvo to improve the safety and comfort of drivers everywhere.”

The first upcoming models to get the new detailed mapping will be the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 SUVs, due to launch in the coming year. As with existing models in each brand's line-up, both already use Android Automotive Google Built-In.

October 2022: Google killing off 'Driving Mode' dash

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Image from MobileSyrup.com

Google has confirmed it will ditch its still-new Driving Mode, designed as a standalone component of Google Assistant on Android phones that could be opened as its own app-like view for a big-button driver-friendly interface.

The reveal of Driving mode in 2019 and its eventual launch in late 2021 followed the final termination of Android Auto for phone displays – which occurred as a slow sunsetting process over some years.

Google hasn't offered any official statement on the reasoning behind its decision to kill off Driving Mode, although it likely comes in response to data that shows – and we're speculating here – that most users tended to access the other Driving Mode interface, built directly into Google Maps.

Note: Image atop story is from MobileSyrup.com

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The main difference between the two versions of Driving Mode is that the standalone form could be saved to your phone's home screen with its own app-like icon, and it could also be invoked by simply saying "Hey Google, launch driving mode".

The version integrated into Google Maps, which fires up automatically when the app is connected to a car, or when navigation is started, will continue to run.

This is probably rough news for owners of older vehicles not equipped with Android Auto – particularly as the original Android Auto for phone screens was already a capable and useful app – but at least the Maps-based version continues untouched.

Now, where is that CarPlay-like redesign for Android Auto on car displays..?

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Image from Droid-Life.com

The story to here

August 25: Android 8.0 rolls out, redesign nowhere to be seen

A version 8.0 update for Android Auto is rolling out this week, but hopeful users will see there's still no sign of the system's already revealed redesign.

Unveiled in May after first appearing in previews as far back as last year, the Carplay-like look was supposed to start reaching phones by the middle of 2022.

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For now, Google has offered no comment on the delay, although missed timelines and poor communication with users is nothing new for the tech giant.

It's possible the update will roll out as a server-side change at any moment, or we could see Google formally announce and launch the redesign in October when it unveils the new Pixel 7 series of phones.

Watch this space, and scroll down to see our earlier updates on the redesigned Android Auto.

May 2022: redesign revealed

May, 2022: Google’s Android Auto phone-mirroring platform has come in for its first major design change since 2019, when it dropped the ‘at a glance’ home screen the interface had previously centred on.

For this latest update, Android Auto – not to be confused with Android Automotive, the more integrated platform which underpins infotainment in models like the Polestar 2 – takes a cue from Apple by debuting a new split-screen design.

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As with Apple’s Carplay system, the new-look Android Auto will offer a display divided into three segments – shown in this article with blocks devoted to navigation, media and communication.

The interface is also scalable, with the blocks taking up different positions on screen depending on whether your vehicle’s main display is oriented in either a portrait or landscape orientation.

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On taller screens, the media and communications blocks will appear beneath the main maps module, whereas wider displays will see those smaller modules stacked along the left side.

It’s unclear if Australia’s right-hand-drive market will have the option to move the media and comms modules to the right, although the settings view in Android Auto does currently allow users to specify the difference, shifting the media player and app drawer icon from right to left.

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Above: Android Auto in its current form, launched in 2019

Google says the third module, described here so far as the media block, will switch to other functions depending on the situation. Sometimes it will simply display the time and date, other times it will show navigation details to supplement the map view.

In its communications form, users will also have the option to reply to messages by tapping a predicted response such as “OK” or “On my way” – as Android users will already be familiar with on their phones.

The new interface is scheduled to begin rolling out to phones in the next couple of months. Users will not need to upgrade the software in the vehicles – it all happens on the phone.

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Above: Android Auto in its original 2014 form