Android Auto: in-car videos, widgets and new features coming soon

Google has announced several changes regarding the so-called experience in-carthe one obtained by connecting a Samsung, Xiaomi and more generally non-Apple smartphone to the car system (Android Auto), or using the operating system installed on the main screen of some cars (Google Built-inwhich was previously known as Android Automotive). On the occasion of the Google I/O 2026 conference, Google’s most important event of the year on the Android platform, the American company announced a series of important innovations designed to unify the ecosystem “Android for Cars”, i.e. both the Android Auto system and vehicles created with Google Built-in. From now on, essentially, the two platforms will have a unique development, and will therefore function in the same way.

VIDEOS ON ANDROID AUTO

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At Google I/O 2026 the American company provided details on a long-awaited innovation, the ability to reproduce video streaming on the Android Auto system. Google has promised its arrival by the end of 2026 on compatible vehicles, provided that you own a smartphone with the most recent operating system, Android 17. Certainly by the end of the year this version will be available on Google’s smartphones and the most recent Samsung ones, and it could also arrive on Xiaomi’s newer and more expensive models. Those who own an older phone or one from other brands will probably have to be patient. The implementation will be aligned with that already present on vehicles with Google integrated (Built-in): movies, TV series and YouTube videos they can only be played on the car screen while parking, for – understandable – safety reasons.

WIDGETS ON ANDROID AUTO

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The new generation of Android Auto employs a new aesthetics and a new arrangement of elements, functional changes, according to Google, to better adapt the system to infotainment systems with large and differently shaped screens. Car and motorbike manufacturers interpret on-board technology differently, with increasingly larger displays and different formats, and Google has worked to adapt Android Auto to different trends. The renewed interface is preparatory to the debut of widgetsthe same ones that have been providing information at a glance on smartphones for years: Google has promised that they will arrive on Android Auto by the end of the year and subsequently on Google Built-in systems.

FINISHING

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In addition to the substantial news, Google has been working on refinement of its systems that act as a bridge between smartphones and cars (or motorbikes). Smooth transitions are coming: from the app interface that is shown while driving, when the vehicle is parked and therefore stops the system will switch smoothly and automatically to the native interface, the one designed by whoever developed that app. Further advanced voice functions are also arriving, based on assistants and artificial intelligence models, e.g Google Maps it will be better and more complete even on vehicles with Google integrated. All this, the big American promised, is arriving by the end of the year.