Android Auto gets a big update with new features

platform Android Auto created by Google years ago mainly for driver safety. She wanted the driver of the car to focus on driving and monitoring the road instead of constantly reaching for her smartphone. The latest update of the platform brings according to the portal AndroidPolice a number of useful improvements.

Manually switch to dark mode and control communication applications

The Android Auto graphical interface has undergone changes in the last few years, and now it is finally getting a switch to dark mode. The possibility of manually switching the white background to black has been requested by users for many months. According to the portal AndroidPolice it could also help eliminate screen glare when its brightness decreases during the summer months.

Google has also improved the way messages are sent and received in Android Auto. Added new shortcuts to all installed communication applications on your smartphone’s Android system. For example, there is a “New” icon to start a new conversation. These shortcuts should work with any messaging client, although Google only mentions WhatsApp and its own communications service in the description.

Better screen customization options and faster search

Other changes in Android Auto will help you better personalize its environment. Google has added the ability to customize the app launcher screen from your smartphone and new tabs in multimedia apps (similar to the YouTube Music app after the update). It also implemented new buttons A through Z in the scroll bar to make it easier and easier to find applications and other items in the system.

The initial setup of Android Auto has also been simplified, which will be appreciated especially by new users. When updating, Google emphasizes the presence of third-party applications that make it easier to find parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points. The platform has also been supporting third-party navigation such as TomTom’s AmiGo for a few months now. The new features should work with any smartphone running Android 6.0 or higher.