October 6, 2026, 8:17 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Google is rolling out a new update for Android Auto, focusing primarily on media control. Version 17.7 introduces several practical innovations around music, podcasts, and other audio content. It’s unfortunate, however, that the well-known issue with Gemini remains unresolved.
New Look for Media Control
With Android Auto 17.7, Google revamps the integrated media player. One of the most noticeable changes affects the playback display. Instead of the previous progress bar, a representation in the form of an audio wave graphic is now used. This update provides a more modern look, though not every user appreciates it, as a glance at Reddit reveals.
More important than the appearance are the functional adjustments. Users who utilize multiple audio applications simultaneously can now switch between active playbacks with a swipe gesture. This makes switching between music, podcasts, or audiobooks significantly more convenient. At the same time, Android Auto better adapts album covers to different screen sizes, ensuring a more uniform display across various vehicle screens.
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More Support for Apps and Audio Sources
Google is also expanding the options for controlling media content. In the future, significantly more audio sources can be operated directly via the dashboard. This benefits not only classic music apps like Spotify but also other applications like YouTube that play audio in the background.
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Additionally, Google is working on automatic playback when connecting the smartphone. Applications that are rarely used should no longer start automatically. Users who regularly cancel the function will even receive a prompt to completely disable the autoplay feature. This addresses a frequently voiced criticism from many Android Auto users.
Gemini Remains a Problem Area
While media functions are being expanded, there are still difficulties with the integration of the AI assistant Gemini. According to reports, some systems do not reliably respond to voice commands. Although requests are recognized, a response is sometimes missing. Instead, processing seems to be interrupted.
Google has already confirmed the problem and is working on a solution. Another patch is expected to fix the disruptions. The update to Android Auto 17.7 is already being distributed and is gradually reaching users via the Google Play Store. Those who want to try the innovations immediately can also manually install the current version.