There are over 250 million Android Auto-compatible cars out there right now, and Google is trying to bring the best of your phone to each and every one of those vehicles.
The tech giant is going hard on Android Auto upgrades, as announced during its The Android Show I/O Edition 2026 earlier today.
For starters, Android Auto is getting a full design refresh that not only brings personal design touches and widgets you can see at a glance, but also an edge-to-edge Google Maps experience.
The UI is reportedly designed to adapt to all types of car screens, be it an ultrawide rectangle, a circle or a unique shape.
Android Auto’s UI, finally, gets your phone’s Material 3 Expressive design with expressive fonts, smooth animations and wallpapers.
You have the option to add omni-present widgets to the UI, allowing you to see your favorite contact, a one-tap garage door opener, a weather overview, or something entirely different, glanceable and tapable at all times.
Immersive Navigation is coming to Google Maps on Android Auto
According to Google, at the core of the new experience is Google Maps’ smarter navigation UI. Dubbed Immersive Navigation, this is Maps’ biggest update in over a decade.
Immersive Navigation brings upgraded visuals that include a vivid 3D view of buildings, overpasses, and the terrain that you’re driving through.
Immersive Navigation is Google Maps’ biggest upgrade in a while
Ask Maps is also rolling out
“It will highlight critical details — including lanes, traffic lights and stop signs — to help you make tricky turns and merge confidently,” wrote Google.
Check out what Immersive Navigation looks like in the short GIF below:
Elsewhere, Android Auto gained YouTube support earlier this year, albeit in an audio-only format. That’s changing now.
According to Google’s announcement, later this year, Android Auto will support YouTube in video format in 60fps and full HD in supported cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata and Volvo.
“And when you switch gears from parked to drive, videos don’t abruptly stop. They safely and seamlessly transition to audio-only in apps that support background audio — perfect for when you want to continue listening to a video podcast you were watching,” wrote Google.
All the coolest Android 17, Gemini, and Android Auto announcements from The Android Show
Prepare yourself, because there’s a lot to get excited about
Furthermore, at the Android Show earlier today, Google also announced Gemini Intelligence, Google’s tool for automating smartphone tasks.
If your phone has access to Gemini Intelligence, you’ll also be able to access it on Android Auto later this year. So, for example, if you receive a text asking for an address while you’re driving, the tool will be able to understand the question, find the answer using information from your text messages, email or calendar, and offer to send a reply with all the relevant information.
Which of these new features is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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