Android Automotive is getting a big update with Android 16

Android Automotive powers car infotainment systems across the automotive industry, and it’s getting a pretty hefty update soon. With Android 16 coming soon to phones, it won’t be long before it makes it to cars. Android 16 will bring some new features to Android Automotive, and one foreshadows a big AI upgrade.

Not to be confused with Android Auto, Android Automotive (its full name is Android Automotive OS) is the underlying operating system that runs on your infotainment system’s hardware. Android Auto is the front end that you interact with. Right now, we don’t know when Google will push this update to the public. The features mentioned were enabled by Android Authority, but there’s no telling if there are more hidden beneath the surface.

Android 16 will bring some neat features to Android Automotive

Compared to Android 16 for phones, these updates will be a bit tame. You can’t expect Google to add flashy features to a device that could distract you while driving. So, they’re not much more than UI tweaks.

Home screen/ Notifications

Starting off with the home screen, Google made more room for the media player by getting rid of the weather widget. This will make it easier to see what you’re listening to. Additionally, the top and bottom of the UI will match the color scheme of the software rather than being pitch black.

The Notification panel received an update that’s more useful than it initially appears. Rather than being transparent, it’s now fully opaque. This makes it easier to focus on your notifications, which is extremely important when driving.

Volume and audio

When you summon the volume panel, you’ll notice a pretty notable change. Currently, when you summon the volume slider, it stretches across the screen, and you have to tap on the downward arrow to access the audio streams. After the update, you’ll see all of the audio streams right when you summon the volume slider. Also, the slider won’t stretch across the screen. It will sit in a compact window that floats over the interface.

The software button that accesses the volume controls has moved from the bottom right of the interface to the top left. This makes it easier to access. The voice assistant button now takes its place. A voice assistant button could mean that Google is planning on adding Gemini to Android Automotive at some point. It only makes sense, as it’s pretty much everywhere else in Google’s ecosystem.

UWB and app drawer

Next up, Android Automotive will give you the option to use the UWB (Ultra-Wideband) tech. This lets you use devices like your phone as a digital car key. Rounding out the list, the app drawer will move to a 4 x 3 grid, which will show fewer apps on the screen at once. This makes it easier to pinpoint the app you’re looking for. Also, it reduces the chance of an app’s name getting cut off.

Just like Android for phones, the manufacturer can make changes to the operating system. As such, you might not see all of these changes when Android 16 lands on Android Automotive.