The latest Android Auto redesign brings a useful new “dashboard” view that can display more information at once, but I wish it was better at supporting multiple apps at once.
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Android Auto’s “dashboard” view, also known as “Coolwalk,” debuted in 2023 with a focus on showing more information at once. While you had Google Maps on, you could also see media controls, weather details, and more. Appearance varies greatly depending on your car’s screen size, aspect ratio, and resolution (tip: you can adjust these options). But, for the most part, you can only see one full application at any given time.
Technically, you can run multiple apps at once on Android Auto. On large and wide screens, two applications can be displayed side by side and swap places. As shown below, the Weather & Radar app can appear alongside Google Maps when navigation is launched, enabled by an app update this week. (MyRadar, another Android Auto weather app, supports similar functionality)
The Weather app in this scenario takes up most of the screen, while Maps is displayed less on the side.
That’s super helpful!
But unfortunately, it’s just not available most cars. That’s because Android Auto prioritizes showing two things. Your mapping application and your media controls. Depending on the size and layout of your screen, you may also see a weather tile or one for Google Maps locations, and something could be mistaken for a recent message at any time.
But what I wish it could do is just let you show full apps. I’d love to be able to use Google Maps and Spotify as full, side-by-side apps. The current media player tile shows only the current song and limited controls, and a swipe page that shows a handful of recommended pieces of content from the app. You can’t select a new album or playlist of your choice without touching the whole app, which ends up minimizing your mapping app. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a side-by-side view of the full music app, on whatever screen you’re using?
At the very least, I’d like to be able to use the media app more reliably without giving up Google Maps on my rectangular screen. A slim Map view on the opposite side with a small view for the media app would be so handy.
Will it happen? Probably not.
I can see Google’s potential argument against this. On some screens, things could easily get cluttered or the touch targets could be too small. But I think Android Auto has room to expand with this kind of functionality in mind, down the road.
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