Tech

Android Auto: the future interface wants to offer more personalization than Apple CarPlay

Android Auto will soon give its interface a brand new design. However, a Reddit user managed to access an unprecedented multi-window view via his rooted smartphone. The opportunity to see that Google is determined to offer more customization than its competitor, Apple CarPlay.

Android auto coolwalk
Credits: Google

If the Android Auto mobile application passed away in June 2022, Google did not draw a final line on its OS dedicated to cars, quite the contrary. During the Google I/O conference in May 2022, the manufacturer announced the arrival of major changes to Android Auto, starting with a brand new interface.

This overhaul, which was to land in the summer of 2022 according to the words of the firm, is always waiting on time as we write these lines. This interface, which will be integrated via the new version of the OS Android Auto 8will adapt in particular to all screens (regardless of their size or format) and will above all offer a multi-window mode.

We have already had a glimpse of this new Android Auto interface in February 2022. Indeed, traces of this interface called coolwalk internally were found at the time in the latest version of the Android Auto mobile app. There were several important changes, such as rounder iconsthe removal of the status bar and call button from the side pane, and the permanent presence of music controls.

Android Auto’s multi-window interface is shown in pictures

However, a Reddit user was able to trigger the new multi-window mode offered by Coolwalk on its rooted Android smartphone. The end result is close to what Google teased during its annual conference in May 2022. Note that it also shared the procedure to follow to activate it on the XDA Developers forum, here it is:

  • You must have a rooted Android smartphone and have the latest Android Auto beta version “7.3.120244-release.daily”
  • Download a database editor like SQLite Editor
  • Open SQLite and under “Apps” section navigate to Google Play Services and open it
  • Scroll down to phenotype.db and select it
  • Search for “flags” and open it
  • At the top, select “Set Filter” and enter Coolwalk_enabled
  • Change all bootVal from 0 to 1
  • Now search for cakewalk and do the same
  • Finally, enter MirrorApp_enabled and modify the bootVal in the same way
  • Once this is done, all you have to do is restart your smartphone and connect to Android Auto. It will be necessary to activate Coolwalk in the settings of the main unit
Android auto coolwalk
Credits: Reddit

Up to three different applications at the same time

The interface now allows you to display up to three different applications at the same time, much like Apple CarPlay offers. In the situations highlighted by the Redditor, the map of Google Maps can be seen occupying the large main panel, while Spotify’s controls and song information are present on the lower left panel. Finally, we find the last addresses searched by the user on the upper left panel.

What is new, however, it is the possibility of extending one of the two secondary panels so that it occupies the entire left part of the screen. In the case of Spotify, this gives the user access to the music controls of course (volume, next or previous track, etc.), but also track information and a second “For You” page. ” by Spotify. It includes a few playlists, as well as a “Shuffle Play” option.

Android auto coolwalk
Credits: Reddit

More personalization than with Apple CarPlay

In other words, the interface offered by Google allows to get more options on Spotify and above all avoid leaving the Maps navigation for example. With the current version of Android Auto, it is imperative to open the music app itself to access these controls, or go through the play buttons in the bottom bar, which does not contain information about the securities.

For the moment, Coolwalk seems to be supported only by Spotify, but it is reasonable to think that other music applications, such as YouTube Music or Deezer, will be compatible later. Generally, music apps on Android Auto offer more or less the same features.

Nevertheless and as said above, the Coolwalk interface is still long overdue. It can legitimately be assumed that Google is still working on it to make various underlying improvements to the interface. Anyway, we will have to wait for an official announcement from the manufacturer to know for sure.

Source : 9to5Google

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