Android Auto has been adopted by users everywhere, and across the world. This is an essential part of driving today as it brings smartphone functionality to in car infotainment systems. 

With time, trends are changing and so is Android Auto. It grows and transforms into what promises to be a safer, more convenient and more entertaining thing on the road. 

There are no specific timelines but a rush of exciting advances is coming. This gives a sense of what comes next for connected driving.

A Smarter In-Car Assistant

The most integrated in-car assistant replacing Google Assistant is also one of the most awaited upcoming features. According to Android Auto, this transition already caught a glimpse of a series of recent Android Auto updates.

It should deliver a smarter, more emotionally aware voice interface. As usual, Gemini is expected to go farther in natural language understanding. 

However, it can give more complex and nuanced commands in the area of detecting voice for navigation. Early previews indicate that there is a way for 'Gemini Live' to be present in the car. It aims to provide immediate assistance and info.

Enhanced Climate Controls

It will almost certainly introduce more complete and more direct climate controls. That will enable drivers to change the settings for temperature, fan speed, and ventilation.

It does not need to leave the Android Auto environment and talk to the car’s native system. All things we expect to be less cumbersome and more integrated with modern in-car comfort controls.

Local Media and Radio Control

Having local media and FM/AM radio controls integrated on Android Auto, Android Auto is also reportedly working on it. Typically, accessing these sources involves going out of Android Auto. 

In future updates, you may see a ‘Car Media’ application. It makes switching between streaming services and local radio channels or music on USB drives connected to the car seamless for users not in the car.

Smart Glasses Integration 

There seems to be no explicit code aimed at smart glasses. The earlier findings indicated a future integration with smart glasses for navigation. 

The rationale behind that was that looking away from the road and at the car's central display to view directions could be eliminated.

This was via smart glasses that are compatible with the driver's field of vision. But the future for this feature is currently unknown, but it is a very interesting possibility for the long term.

Refinements and Underlying Improvements

Those are the defining features of Android Auto updates. In addition, they always arrive with a steady stream of bug fixes, performance gains, and tiny UI tweaks. 

For instance, this was also what recent Android auto 14.0 was focused on, namely backend preps for Gemini and under the hood tweaks to make Android auto more stable and compatible.

A Glimpse into the Future

We do not yet have specific release dates for these features. However, the direction of Android Auto development sees the development coalescing into becoming a more intelligent, more integrated, more user-friendly experience for drivers and those around the world. 

All are integrated and geared toward making the connected drive safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable. Gemini’s inclusion brings expanded media options as well as improved vehicle controls. 

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