Android Auto has recently received new updates for the beta and the stable channels, as Google continues the work on improving the experience with its software aimed at drivers.
However, if you’re not enrolled in the beta program, meaning that you are registered to receive pre-release builds of Android Auto, you will receive the stable update. The rollout happens in stages, and the wait time often extends to several weeks, as Google typically collects stability and reliability data before reaching the broad availability stage.
If you’re not part of the beta program but still want to try out the early builds, you can use the stand-alone APK installer to install it.
Users in the stable ring who want to update to the latest release faster can use the same method, as sideloading allows them to update to a new build manually.
You can find the latest beta and stable APK installers here. Download the file on your device, browse to its location, tap the installer, and follow the wizard on the screen to complete the update. The process takes only a few seconds, and you don’t have to remove the existing Android Auto installation before sideloading a new build.
Most users wonder if Google has included any significant changes in these new builds, but this is something that we’ll all have to discover ourselves. The search giant no longer includes changelogs with its new Android Auto releases, sticking with a generic “bug fixes and improvements” announcement.
I installed Android Auto 12.8 beta on my phone but didn’t notice any front-facing changes, so the focus has most likely been on under-the-hood changes or bug fixes and other general optimizations. Many users have recently complained of issues with voice commands, so maybe Google has improved the experience in this regard, albeit the Google app, which powers the Google Assistant integration, has received multiple updates in the last two weeks, too.
Otherwise, Google is already working on several big new features for Android Auto, including radio station integration. Google wants to avoid forcing users to leave the Android Auto UI to begin listening to a radio station, as the current implementation requires drivers to leave the app and load the native car software to access the radio station list. Google wants to bundle this feature with Android Auto, though the work is still in its early days, and it is unclear when the rollout could begin.
Let me know in the comment box after the jump if you notice something note-worthy in these updates and whether they address a widespread bug.