Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google has just released a new Android Auto update, as version 11 graduated from beta and landed in the stable channel.
It means everybody can now download Android Auto 11, even if they are not part of the testing program. However, as per Google's typical release model, Android Auto updates ship in stage through the Google Play Store, so it could take a while until all users receive the new version.
Meanwhile, the stand-alone APK installer allows users to download and install Android Auto 11 today using a process known as sideloading. All you have to do is download the APK file on the device, tap it to launch the installer, and follow the on-screen wizard to complete the update.
Google released Android Auto 11 without a changelog, but we already know that the Mountain View-based search giant is working on several big changes.
For example, references in this new Android Auto 11 build indicate that Google might be planning to update the system requirements. Android Auto currently requires at least Android 8.0 Oreo to run, but Google could soon change the minimum OS version for the app, with a notification to show up on the mobile device and the infotainment system.
It's unclear when Google plans to introduce the updated system requirements, but the update notification is not live yet.
Google is also working on other features for Android Auto, including a wallpaper roaming option and support for custom icons.
The company has recently started testing new icons in Android Auto with a limited set of users earlier this month. The feature currently allows the stock device icons to migrate to Android Auto, though the support is limited to Samsung phones. It means you could soon see the default Samsung icons from your Samsung mobile device in the Android Auto app drawer, allowing for a more seamless transition from the phone to the car.
The feature doesn't support third-party icons, and it's unclear if Google wants to add such functionality (though it'd make sense, considering the aim for a smooth switch between devices).
Additionally, Google also wants to allow the wallpaper to sync between devices on Android Auto and the mobile device. Android Auto already supports backgrounds, but users must choose from a pre-loaded collection that includes mostly abstract photos with different colors. Users have been asking for custom wallpaper support for quite some time, and now it looks like Google wants to deliver such functionality by allowing the phone's background to be automatically transferred to the Android Auto screen.
All these changes are still in their early days, and Google has yet to announce them. Installing Android Auto 11 doesn't enable them, though I see more users claiming that their Samsung stock icons showed up on Android Auto after updating to the latest version (I believe the change isn't tied to a specific app version but powered by a server-side switch).
Meanwhile, the stand-alone APK installer allows users to download and install Android Auto 11 today using a process known as sideloading. All you have to do is download the APK file on the device, tap it to launch the installer, and follow the on-screen wizard to complete the update.
Google released Android Auto 11 without a changelog, but we already know that the Mountain View-based search giant is working on several big changes.
For example, references in this new Android Auto 11 build indicate that Google might be planning to update the system requirements. Android Auto currently requires at least Android 8.0 Oreo to run, but Google could soon change the minimum OS version for the app, with a notification to show up on the mobile device and the infotainment system.
It's unclear when Google plans to introduce the updated system requirements, but the update notification is not live yet.
Google is also working on other features for Android Auto, including a wallpaper roaming option and support for custom icons.
The company has recently started testing new icons in Android Auto with a limited set of users earlier this month. The feature currently allows the stock device icons to migrate to Android Auto, though the support is limited to Samsung phones. It means you could soon see the default Samsung icons from your Samsung mobile device in the Android Auto app drawer, allowing for a more seamless transition from the phone to the car.
The feature doesn't support third-party icons, and it's unclear if Google wants to add such functionality (though it'd make sense, considering the aim for a smooth switch between devices).
Additionally, Google also wants to allow the wallpaper to sync between devices on Android Auto and the mobile device. Android Auto already supports backgrounds, but users must choose from a pre-loaded collection that includes mostly abstract photos with different colors. Users have been asking for custom wallpaper support for quite some time, and now it looks like Google wants to deliver such functionality by allowing the phone's background to be automatically transferred to the Android Auto screen.
All these changes are still in their early days, and Google has yet to announce them. Installing Android Auto 11 doesn't enable them, though I see more users claiming that their Samsung stock icons showed up on Android Auto after updating to the latest version (I believe the change isn't tied to a specific app version but powered by a server-side switch).
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