Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
The work on Android Auto continues, and Google has just pressed the go-ahead button for another stable build. Android Auto 11.1 is now available for download, with users worldwide allowed to update through the Google Play Store or using the stand-alone APK installer.
The Google Play Store rollout happens in stages, meaning that only a small set of users receive the update today. The process continues in the next weeks until the general availability phase is reached.
Meanwhile, if you don't want to wait and get Android Auto 11.1 today, you can download the stand-alone APK file and manually install it on your smartphone. The process takes a few seconds and requires special permissions to allow app installation from non-Google Play Store sources.
Google did not share a changelog for Android Auto 11.1, but the new version doesn't seem to activate any big changes. However, the work has probably been focused on under-the-hood changes, as we already know that the search giant is developing new functionality that should show up later this year.
One of these big new features has already been enabled for some users, possibly as an early experiment. Google allows Android Auto to import the default icon pack from the mobile device, replacing the standard design on the infotainment system. The stock icons currently support only Samsung devices, but Google will probably add support for more OEMs before the feature reaches the broad availability phase.
With this update, Android Auto creates more consistency between the app drawers on the smartphone and the head unit. The transition from one device to another is more seamless, making Android Auto feel like a more integral part of the Android ecosystem.
Google is also working on expanding this feature with wallpaper support. The phone background will eventually roam across devices and make its way to Android Auto, too. The feature is still in the works and has yet to appear for testers, but once it goes live, Google will convert Android Auto into a more natural extension to mobile devices.
The app drawer will look similar to the one on the mobile device, using the same icon design and wallpaper. Google didn't share an ETA for these improvements, but considering the work is in an advanced phase, the rollout should begin in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Android Auto 11.1 could also include more under-the-hood bug fixes, though, without a changelog, the only option is to install the update yourselves and see if any of the problems you've been struggling with are gone. I updated the app a couple of hours ago but couldn't notice any significant change, so use the comment box after the jump to let us and our readers know about any improvement you spot in this build.
Meanwhile, if you don't want to wait and get Android Auto 11.1 today, you can download the stand-alone APK file and manually install it on your smartphone. The process takes a few seconds and requires special permissions to allow app installation from non-Google Play Store sources.
Google did not share a changelog for Android Auto 11.1, but the new version doesn't seem to activate any big changes. However, the work has probably been focused on under-the-hood changes, as we already know that the search giant is developing new functionality that should show up later this year.
One of these big new features has already been enabled for some users, possibly as an early experiment. Google allows Android Auto to import the default icon pack from the mobile device, replacing the standard design on the infotainment system. The stock icons currently support only Samsung devices, but Google will probably add support for more OEMs before the feature reaches the broad availability phase.
With this update, Android Auto creates more consistency between the app drawers on the smartphone and the head unit. The transition from one device to another is more seamless, making Android Auto feel like a more integral part of the Android ecosystem.
Google is also working on expanding this feature with wallpaper support. The phone background will eventually roam across devices and make its way to Android Auto, too. The feature is still in the works and has yet to appear for testers, but once it goes live, Google will convert Android Auto into a more natural extension to mobile devices.
The app drawer will look similar to the one on the mobile device, using the same icon design and wallpaper. Google didn't share an ETA for these improvements, but considering the work is in an advanced phase, the rollout should begin in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Android Auto 11.1 could also include more under-the-hood bug fixes, though, without a changelog, the only option is to install the update yourselves and see if any of the problems you've been struggling with are gone. I updated the app a couple of hours ago but couldn't notice any significant change, so use the comment box after the jump to let us and our readers know about any improvement you spot in this build.
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