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Android Auto’s latest redesign introduced a useful new “dashboard” view that lets you see multiple pieces of information at once, but I wish it could have supported more than one app 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. When you launch Google Maps, you’ll also see media controls, weather details, and more. The layout varies greatly depending on your car’s screen size, aspect ratio, and resolution (hint: you can adjust these options). However, in most cases, only one complete app can be displayed at a time.
Technically, Android Auto can run multiple apps at the same time. The large, spacious screen lets you view two apps side by side and switch between them. As pictured below, the Weather & Radar app will now appear next to Google Maps while you’re navigating, as enabled by this week’s app update. (MyRadar, another Android Auto weather app, also supports similar functionality)
In this scenario, the weather app takes up most of the screen, and the map appears smaller on the side.
It’s so convenient!
But unfortunately it is not available largely car. This is because Android Auto prioritizes displaying two things. Mapping apps and media controls. Depending on the size and layout of your display, you might also see weather tiles and Google Maps location tiles, and something could replace your recent messages at any time.
But all I wish it could do is be able to display the complete app. I would like to be able to use Google Maps and Spotify as fully parallel apps. The current media player tile only shows the current track, limited controls, and a swipe page that shows some recommended content from the app. You can’t select a new album or playlist without tapping the full app. As a result, the map app will be minimized. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a complete music app side by side on your display?
At the very least, I wish I could use the media apps more reliably without giving up Google Maps on the rectangular display. It would be really nice to have a slim map view on the other side and a smaller view for media apps.
Will that happen? Probably not.
It’s understandable that Google might object to this. Some displays can easily clutter things up or have touch targets that are too small. But I think there’s room for Android Auto to expand with this kind of functionality in mind. down the road.
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