Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
With Android 14 breaking down the Android Auto experience in mysterious ways, most users expect the next OS version to significantly improve the phone mirroring system.
Google has never commented on its plans to refine Android Auto, only promising to investigate the bugs caused by Android 14.
However, with Android 15 already on the radar, many people believe the next release will deliver a more polished experience behind the wheel. While it's hard to say if Google will ship any substantial Android Auto updates in the meantime, the release schedule for the Android 15 Preview program confirms that the next big OS release will happen in the fall.
The first Android 15 Developer Preview went live this week. A second release, tentatively called Developer Preview 2, will ship in March, bringing additional features and what Google describes as "behavior changes."
Google says the first Android 15 beta build will be ready in April, followed by a second beta in May. The third release, which will mark the First Platform Stability milestone, will go live in June. Android 15 Beta 4 and other final beta builds will be ready in July and August. Google describes these releases as "near-final" builds, allowing users and developers to conduct final testing before the production rollout begins.
It's safe to assume Android 15 will land in the stable channel in late September or October, with the Google Pixel being the first device to get the update.
While it's too early to tell if Android 15 will include notable changes to the experience behind the wheel (as the first DP build and the most recent Android 14 beta build bring no changes aimed at drivers), Google has already promised several new features for Android Auto users.
One of them is AI integration into Android Auto. Using artificial intelligence, Google Assistant will be able to summarize lengthy conversations and busy group chats. It will provide drivers with the essential tidbits from a conversation, providing smart replies according to the context. For example, if someone asks the driver when they arrive at a destination, Google Assistant can suggest sharing the ETA via Google Maps.
Additionally, Google wants to bring Android and Android Auto in sync by allowing more data from mobile devices to migrate to the infotainment system. Starting this year, Android Auto will automatically import the default icon design from Samsung devices, making the home screen look more like the phone's app drawer. Google will also enable wallpaper synchronization so Android Auto users can have the same background as on their mobile devices.
The features have already appeared for a limited number of users but should expand to more users in the coming months when the broad availability phase is reached.
However, with Android 15 already on the radar, many people believe the next release will deliver a more polished experience behind the wheel. While it's hard to say if Google will ship any substantial Android Auto updates in the meantime, the release schedule for the Android 15 Preview program confirms that the next big OS release will happen in the fall.
The first Android 15 Developer Preview went live this week. A second release, tentatively called Developer Preview 2, will ship in March, bringing additional features and what Google describes as "behavior changes."
Google says the first Android 15 beta build will be ready in April, followed by a second beta in May. The third release, which will mark the First Platform Stability milestone, will go live in June. Android 15 Beta 4 and other final beta builds will be ready in July and August. Google describes these releases as "near-final" builds, allowing users and developers to conduct final testing before the production rollout begins.
It's safe to assume Android 15 will land in the stable channel in late September or October, with the Google Pixel being the first device to get the update.
While it's too early to tell if Android 15 will include notable changes to the experience behind the wheel (as the first DP build and the most recent Android 14 beta build bring no changes aimed at drivers), Google has already promised several new features for Android Auto users.
One of them is AI integration into Android Auto. Using artificial intelligence, Google Assistant will be able to summarize lengthy conversations and busy group chats. It will provide drivers with the essential tidbits from a conversation, providing smart replies according to the context. For example, if someone asks the driver when they arrive at a destination, Google Assistant can suggest sharing the ETA via Google Maps.
Additionally, Google wants to bring Android and Android Auto in sync by allowing more data from mobile devices to migrate to the infotainment system. Starting this year, Android Auto will automatically import the default icon design from Samsung devices, making the home screen look more like the phone's app drawer. Google will also enable wallpaper synchronization so Android Auto users can have the same background as on their mobile devices.
The features have already appeared for a limited number of users but should expand to more users in the coming months when the broad availability phase is reached.
Google News