AutoVehicle TechAndroid Auto gets a small but brilliant update that improves navigationDriving with Android Auto just got a little easierWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoVehicle TechAndroid Auto gets a small but brilliant update that improves navigationDriving with Android Auto just got a little easierWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Driving with Android Auto just got a little easier
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
Quick SummaryThere’s a change coming to Android Auto that will make lane guidance easier.The boost comes to those navigating with Google Maps.
There’s a change coming to Android Auto that will make lane guidance easier.The boost comes to those navigating with Google Maps.
There’s a change coming to Android Auto that will make lane guidance easier.The boost comes to those navigating with Google Maps.
There’s a change coming to Android Auto that will make lane guidance easier.
The boost comes to those navigating with Google Maps.
With the majority of drivers now choosing to use eitherAndroid AutoorAppleCarPlay, changes to these smartphone-powered navigation systems matter. And a little tweak has come toAndroid Autothat could boost your driving experience further.
According to the details, the new visuals space the lanes out more when navigating usingGoogle Maps, so you can clearly see the direction you’re heading and the lane that you need to be in.
(Image credit: 9to5Google)
(Image credit: 9to5Google)
Previously the information was too close together so it wasn’t always clear exactly which lane you should be in and which direction you might be headed. Now it should be easy to position yourself in the correct lane to make the turning.
Google hasn’t gone as far as some manufacturers, who use a completely different view when approaching a junction to make lane guidance clear, while some car systems will also use augmented reality to show you where you need to be via a heads-up display.
Most manufacturers restrict the most advanced systems to their own navigation, but I recently drove theVW ID.7 GTX Tourerwhich is one of the few cars where the heads-up display will also give you directions from Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, making it a best of both worlds.
What else does Android Auto do?
Android Auto is designed to give you quick access to all the services you might need when driving your car. It runs on your phone, but is displayed on your car’s display. That means you get access to compatible apps – like Spotify – with the focus being on music, navigation, calling and reading out your messages.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
With Google Assistant baked into the experience, you can use your voice to control things like navigation, ask questions, control music and place calls or reply to messages. In the future this could move over to Gemini to offer a wider set of features.
In recent months we’ve seen more details about features coming to Android Auto, includingsupport for the car’s own radio hardware. That means you could control the radio without having to switch back to the car’s native interface.
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 Pro deals12 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$999$849ViewDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025$999View$999.99PreorderShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 Pro deals12 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$999$849ViewDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025$999View$999.99PreorderShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 Pro deals
12 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
12 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$999$849ViewDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025$999View$999.99Preorder
$999$849ViewDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
$999$849View
$999$849View
$999$849
$849
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
$999View
$999View
$999View
$999
$999
$999.99Preorder
$999.99Preorder
$999.99Preorder
$999.99
$999.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
If you ever needed proof that cassette players are back, this is itWe Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
We Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
