Android Auto’s upcoming update will allow full-size phone apps on car screens, split layout, dynamic info like weather/stopwatch, and more.
Android Auto’s upcoming update will allow full-size phone apps on car screens, split layout, dynamic info like weather/stopwatch, and more.
Google’s Android Auto will reportedly soon introduce full-size, dynamic widgets, codenamed “Earth”, allowing drivers to personalise the main screen with phone apps.
The Earth feature will let users drag applications from their mobile directly onto the Android Auto home screen. This means real-time weather updates, a live stopwatch for track sessions, or custom charging graphs appear prominently without menu navigation. It transforms the dashboard into a smartphone-like command centre.
The new interface divides the display into two panels. A chosen widget anchors one side, occupying 35-40 per cent of the width, while the remaining 60-65 per cent retains core driving info like navigation and media controls. Early previews show Pixel Weather and Clock Stopwatch functioning smoothly in this ratio.
Android Auto presently offers small taskbar widgets for quick actions (skipping tracks or pausing podcasts) and custom launcher shortcuts for one-tap calls or directions. These are useful but confined to icons and basic functions. “Earth” dedicates substantial space to live, updating data, reducing driver distraction.
Previously, accessing detailed info required opening full apps. Now, critical updates like next turn alerts, air quality index, or battery status stay in direct view without screen interaction. This shift prioritises relevant, dynamic content over static layouts.
The update acknowledges the dashboard’s role as the vehicle’s hub. By blending phone flexibility with car essentials, “Earth” moves beyond mirroring devices to true integration. Still under development, it promises the next leap in automotive software usability for EV and ICE owners alike.
Also read: Tesla Robotaxi Pilot Data Reveals 4 Crashes in 402,300 km
