Android Auto is on the brink of a significant enhancement with the anticipated introduction of home screen widgets, a feature currently codenamed “Earth.” This development aims to allow users to integrate widgets from their mobile applications directly into the Android Auto dashboard, enhancing the user experience by providing quick access to essential information and functionalities.
At present, Android Auto offers “Taskbar Widgets” that facilitate quick app controls, such as media playback, positioned at the bottom of the screen. These widgets replace traditional app icons when activated, while users can also create custom shortcuts through the “Customize launcher” settings. This allows for actions like dialing a contact or navigating to a saved location with a single tap.
With the forthcoming home screen widgets, users will have the ability to select a single widget to occupy one side of their Android Auto home screen. This design effectively divides the screen, allocating approximately 35-40% of the width to the widget panel, while the remaining 60-65% accommodates other functionalities.
Steps for adding Android Auto home screen widgets (as it works now)
Here’s a straightforward guide to navigating the widget addition process in the current beta version of Android Auto:
- Open the widget picker (Settings > “Customize Earth”)
- Widget companion main screen
- Choose an app (tap the + button)
- Confirm selection and manage the widget
Upon accessing the “Customize Earth” option in the settings, users will be prompted to grant permissions for widget creation. Once permissions are granted, a widget manager screen appears, allowing users to select from a list of compatible apps and their respective widgets. After making a selection, users can return to the main screen to manage the newly added widget.
What Android Auto home screen widgets would look like
Once a widget is selected, it appears on the dashboard, providing a glimpse into its functionality. For instance, the Spotify widget displays playback controls but currently lacks the ability to show song titles or artist names due to its horizontal layout design. While playback controls function as intended, tapping the album cover results in a warning indicating that the action cannot be performed within Android Auto, highlighting the limitations of this early development stage.
Testing with various widgets, such as those from Gemini, Clock, and Pixel Weather, reveals differing levels of performance. The Pixel Weather widget, for example, operates seamlessly, providing real-time weather updates when location access is enabled.
Limitations and important behavior to note
- Single widget only: Currently, users can only display one widget at a time. Selecting a new widget will replace the existing one.
- Single source at a time: Users cannot add multiple widgets from different apps or even from the same app simultaneously.
- Scale is limited to the slider: The only available size adjustment is through a scale slider, with no options for free positioning or resizing.
- Widget optimization issues: Some widgets may not display or function correctly due to their design for horizontal layouts.
- Limited interactivity: Many widgets have not yet been optimized for Android Auto, resulting in limited functionality.
- Widgets that work well: Widgets that do not require opening their companion apps tend to function correctly, such as the Stopwatch from the Clock app.
As this feature is still in its nascent stages, improvements and better compatibility with various applications are expected in future updates. The ongoing development of Android Auto’s widget capabilities promises to enhance user interaction and accessibility, making it a feature to watch closely.
