Android Auto Coolwalk is real and it's spectacular!

[tuminatr]

@Eraser on a side note, how do you like the 7 Pro? I've read very good things about it.

Can't answer for eraser but I love my Pixel 7 pro

 

[Eraser]

@Eraser on a side note, how do you like the 7 Pro? I've read very good things about it.

Still adjusting to the size, but otherwise I love it.

 

[CarDreams]

I am excited for this.

 

[Chuck]

I got it last week and it was a pleasant surprise. I only wish I could have a choice over what is in each window. Maybe that will come with time.

 

[Chuck]

1 no Android Auto is for Android as Apple Car Play is for iPhone
2 AA and CP do not have a frunk button

3 on a separate thought look at AA Ford has stated the next version of Sync will be based and Android

Sync will be based on Android Automotive, not Android Auto. They are two completly different products. Andrdoid Automotive is an operating system, Android Auto is an app.

 

[tuminatr]

Sync will be based on Android Automotive, not Android Auto. They are two completly different products. Andrdoid Automotive is an operating system, Android Auto is an app.

Yes, this is true. I should have been more specific. Thanks for the correction

 

[braddallas]

Beta program is full

You can download the Android Auto beta .apk file from the Apk Mirror website. That's how I upgraded mine to take a peak at the new beta update.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

Maybe I don’t understand something…this looks just like CarPlay, but in the Android world. Are they basically the same thing, or am I missing the point completely? Android didn’t have a CarPlay-like thing before?

 

[Chuck]

Maybe I don’t understand something…this looks just like CarPlay, but in the Android world. Are they basically the same thing, or am I missing the point completely? Android didn’t have a CarPlay-like thing before?

Android Auto didn't have multiple apps showing at once.

 

[Eraser]

From my understanding Google has to enable the new interface for those in the beta program, the APK file alone shouldn't work. Regardless, if anyone wants to try it that isn't in the program here is the link.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-8-5-1245-release/

 

[awp0]

From what I can tell, it looks like AA does a better job with auto-sizing the windows compared to Carplay. If you compare OP's first and third images to the Carplay equivalents, you notice that Carplay really doesn't choose very good window sizes for the three active windows. Nav gets a smaller portion of the screen in Carplay (when you really want it bigger) and the other two windows are just unnecessarily big.

 

[ThatGuyLando]

You can download the Android Auto beta .apk file from the Apk Mirror website. That's how I upgraded mine to take a peak at the new beta update.

You can but this is a server side flag. You can manually force it to show this UI if you have a rooted phone but here in the US that's a long shot considering most android devices have bootloaders you can't unlock.

 

[johnmark]

From my understanding Google has to enable the new interface for those in the beta program, the APK file alone shouldn't work. Regarding if anyone wants to try it that isn't in the program here is the link.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-8-5-1245-release/

I installed the beta apk (thanks everyone for the tips) and the first thing I noticed was I can finally do fullscreen Google maps, the lack of which was an annoyance before. Haven't tried multiple apps and tiling yet - we'll see. My phone is an unlocked 1plus so I'm hoping that means fewer hoops to jump through. We shall see!

 

[JamieLV]

From my understanding Google has to enable the new interface for those in the beta program, the APK file alone shouldn't work. Regarding if anyone wants to try it that isn't in the program here is the link.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-8-5-1245-release/

I can't test it because I don't have the car yet, but this link provides instructions on "how to force enable Coolwalk without root " . I'd be curious to know - so if anyone gives it a shot, please let me know (you know, in case my car magically appears this week) whether it works.

https://www.androidsage.com/2022/11/12/how-to-enable-coolwalk-on-android-auto-without-root/

 

[Eraser]

I installed the beta apk (thanks everyone for the tips) and the first thing I noticed was I can finally do fullscreen Google maps, the lack of which was an annoyance before. Haven't tried multiple apps and tiling yet - we'll see. My phone is an unlocked 1plus so I'm hoping that means fewer hoops to jump through. We shall see!

Well you got the easy part done .

Your phone is most likely carrier unlocked, however the bootloader completely separate from that. It's been a while but from what I recall, unlocking the bootloader comes with other consequences like Google pay no longer working. Additionally you'll have to completely wipe your device to lock or unlock the bootloader.

Personally I wouldn't recommend doing it due to the repercussions. If you try it read the directions carefully several times before doing so. Good luck.