Google is deployment of a new music player for Android Autoand that’s a pretty big change. This update comes in Android Auto 13.4 and is one of the first major changes to the platform in some time.
Now you may be wondering why this is such a big deal. Well, for starters, Android Auto’s music player has always had the same basic design for all audio apps. Whether you use Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music, the presentation has always been the same. This is actually a good thing because it means you don’t need to relearn the layout of each app, which could be dangerous while driving.
But with this new update, the music player has a new look. The album art has been moved to the left and the track progress bar is now next to it. The text is a little smaller and the buttons have been rearranged to occupy the full width of the screen. It’s a subtle change, but it makes a big difference in usability.
The new Android Auto music player | Image credit — 9to5Google
This update also includes a new font for Android Auto, which is a nice touch. And the best part is that this new design will work with all audio apps on Android Auto. So no matter which app you use, you’ll get the same great experience.
It has been speculated that this update could be a sign that Google is getting closer to the release of its “Car Media” update, which is supposed to allow Android Auto to play local media from a car, including radio stations. This is a feature I’ve personally wanted for a while, so it would be nice if it was added in early 2025. However, as it stands, we’ll have to wait and see what happens, as it hasn’t not noticed that it was included in this latest update.
Personally, I’m excited about this new music player. I think it looks much cleaner and modern than the old one, and I’m always happy to see Google updating Android Auto. It’s a great platform and I’m happy to see it getting some love. This is especially important since more and more cars these days come with Android Auto built-in.
