Andy Walker / Android Authority
Summary
- Android Auto is trying out a revamped dashboard media card featuring centralized album art and a blurred backdrop.
- This new design may include additional controls like like, shuffle, and repeat, depending on the specific music application used.
- The availability of these extra button functionalities is contingent on the screen resolution of the head unit.
Google has commenced rolling out a major update for Android Auto, first discussed during its I/O 2026 keynote. Among these updates, users have begun to see the new Immersive Navigation feature in Google Maps, which introduces 3D landmarks and clearer navigation details. Additionally, a different update has emerged: a redesign of the media card presented on the Android Auto dashboard.
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We were able to activate this fresh interface in a recent edition of Android Auto. The existing media card displays the album cover as a full background, overlaying song information and playback controls. It currently features Google’s updated squiggly progress indicator and other newly designed buttons introduced earlier this year. The images below illustrate both the existing and upcoming media cards.
The new design centers the album art and creates a blurred background effect that enhances the visual appeal. Additionally, the song title and artist information are now positioned beneath the artwork, leading to a cleaner, less cluttered look compared to the previous design.
AssembleDebug / Android Authority
The updated card design allows for additional playback buttons on the dashboard, which may include like, shuffle, and repeat, customized based on the music application. The presence of these extra buttons will depend on the head unit’s display resolution; higher DPI screens will be able to accommodate them. In this configuration, the play/pause button is repositioned to a more central location.
This update only modifies the media card that appears alongside navigation on the Android Auto interface. When accessing the media application in full-screen mode, the existing player interface remains unchanged.
It’s worth noting that this redesign, which emerged through an APK teardown, may still be in development. Google might further adjust the design or choose not to implement it at all. However, considering previous announcements, this enhancement is likely on track for release.
⚠️ APK teardown findings can indicate prospective features based on early code, but there is no guarantee that these features will be included in the final public version.
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