Android Auto is getting ready for major innovations: Google is testing widgets and further expanding Gemini.

Google is pushing ahead with Android Auto development and is currently rolling out a new test version to prepare for several significant changes. In parallel, the company is continuing its gradual transition from Google Assistant to Gemini. 

Although the rollout is officially underway, it is still not reaching many users, indicating that the transition is taking significantly longer than initially anticipated.

The current test version hints at a comprehensive expansion for the vehicle display. For the first time, Google is integrating a widget structure that can be flexibly positioned on the screen. Three positioning options are available: top, center, or bottom. Users can also set element heights and choose between two sizes. 

These adjustments suggest that further height options could be added in the future. Should Google introduce three fixed-height options, it would be possible to arrange several widgets effectively at the same time—for example, two small ones and one medium-sized one. However, the concept is still in an early stage of development.

Modern vehicles with larger displays benefit significantly from such enhancements. Many systems have high resolutions but don't yet fully utilize the additional screen space. Google is addressing this issue to expand the functionality and visually improve Android Auto.

In parallel, the company is preparing new quick access options for Gemini. These will appear in the app launcher and trigger predefined actions that previously ran through the classic Assistant. The changes are necessary because Google is increasingly removing the existing voice assistant from Android Auto, and Gemini is taking its place.

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