Android Auto updated: new look, better split-screen functionality

Android Auto users are in line for a fairly sizable update coming soon. Google revealed a totally new look and design for Android Auto at its Google I/O event last week, and the main takeaway is newfound flexibility.

Car makers are not exactly consistent with the various screen sizes and orientations used in vehicles. Many favor a widescreen format, while others prefer a vertically-oriented portrait format, and there are so many others in between. This was problematic for Android Auto previously, because it wasn’t designed to fill the screen perfectly with every possible screen shape. Plus, a fancy split-screen function was only supported for a small number of vehicles. Now, however, Google says it’s fixed the issue. Android Auto will now conform to fit whatever size and shape your car’s screen is, be it tall and skinny or short and wide. And, a new split screen function should work on every vehicle.

Beyond the better integration, the Android Auto look itself is refreshed to bring it more in line with the latest Android software you see on phones. The fonts, shapes and general UI should now look more familiar to those with Android phones running stock Android software.