Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google has resumed the work on Android Auto updates, and the first release of the year is now available for download for users who don't want to wait for the production rollout to begin.
Android Auto 11.1 beta is now up for grabs, allowing users to try out the latest pack of improvements before Google publishes it on the Google Play Store.
Google did not share a changelog for this new release, so the update comes with mysterious changes, but the approach is not new. The company rarely provides information about what's new in an Android Auto update, as it sticks with blog posts whenever it introduces something notable.
There are two things everybody must know about Android Auto 11.1.
First, it's a beta build, so it's not aimed at production devices and beginners. Its purpose is to help power users test the next stable release and send feedback to the search giant should they discover something needing to be fixed urgently.
Second, the update is shipped automatically to users enrolled in the Android Auto beta program, but anyone can download it using the stand-alone APK file. Download the installer on your device, browse to its location, and tap the file to begin the installation. You might see a prompt to allow the manual installation of the update, but the process is generally very straightforward and completes in seconds.
Meanwhile, while Android Auto11.1 beta comes without a changelog, it doesn't mean Google isn't already preparing big changes in the long term.
One of the biggest changes concerns an update that will create more consistency between Android Auto and mobile devices. Google will allow Android Auto to change the app icons to the stock design on the smartphone while also downloading the same wallpaper you configured on the device. The home screen should look similar to the one on the phone, as Google wants to make the transition from the phone to the car (and the other way around) more seamless.
Android Auto will also get other smaller changes, including a Disconnect button for wireless connections. The new option will come in handy to users who want to use another Android device (other than the main phone) to run Android Auto, allowing them to disconnect their primary device with the press of a button. Without such an option, the only way to do it today is to disconnect Bluetooth, in which case you also shut down the connection with smartwatches and other Bluetooth accessories.
All these features (except for the phone wallpaper support) have started rolling out to users worldwide using a slow release model, but Android Auto 11.1 doesn't seem to bring any change in availability. They are not tied to a specific Android Auto version, as their rollout is powered by a server-side switch.
Google did not share a changelog for this new release, so the update comes with mysterious changes, but the approach is not new. The company rarely provides information about what's new in an Android Auto update, as it sticks with blog posts whenever it introduces something notable.
There are two things everybody must know about Android Auto 11.1.
First, it's a beta build, so it's not aimed at production devices and beginners. Its purpose is to help power users test the next stable release and send feedback to the search giant should they discover something needing to be fixed urgently.
Second, the update is shipped automatically to users enrolled in the Android Auto beta program, but anyone can download it using the stand-alone APK file. Download the installer on your device, browse to its location, and tap the file to begin the installation. You might see a prompt to allow the manual installation of the update, but the process is generally very straightforward and completes in seconds.
Meanwhile, while Android Auto11.1 beta comes without a changelog, it doesn't mean Google isn't already preparing big changes in the long term.
One of the biggest changes concerns an update that will create more consistency between Android Auto and mobile devices. Google will allow Android Auto to change the app icons to the stock design on the smartphone while also downloading the same wallpaper you configured on the device. The home screen should look similar to the one on the phone, as Google wants to make the transition from the phone to the car (and the other way around) more seamless.
Android Auto will also get other smaller changes, including a Disconnect button for wireless connections. The new option will come in handy to users who want to use another Android device (other than the main phone) to run Android Auto, allowing them to disconnect their primary device with the press of a button. Without such an option, the only way to do it today is to disconnect Bluetooth, in which case you also shut down the connection with smartwatches and other Bluetooth accessories.
All these features (except for the phone wallpaper support) have started rolling out to users worldwide using a slow release model, but Android Auto 11.1 doesn't seem to bring any change in availability. They are not tied to a specific Android Auto version, as their rollout is powered by a server-side switch.
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