Google is quietly advancing its plans for the much-anticipated redesign of Android Auto, currently operating under the codename “Cielo.” This initiative, first hinted at earlier this year, continues to unfold as the tech giant rolls out Android Auto 18.0 in beta form.
Despite the version number suggesting a significant update, the latest release appears to be more of a maintenance patch than a transformative upgrade. Users are unlikely to encounter any new features; instead, the update seems to focus primarily on bug fixes and stability improvements.
A notable discovery during a recent teardown of the application revealed a new asset labeled “cielolauncher.” This could very well signify the forthcoming redesign, as references to “Cielo” have been surfacing in Android Auto’s code for several months. The term “launcher” strongly suggests that this will serve as a successor to “Coolwalk,” the codename for the previous dashboard redesign introduced in 2023. The emergence of “Coolwalklauncher” in earlier updates indicated the groundwork for that redesign, and it seems that “Cielo” is following a similar trajectory.
Previous updates associated with “Cielo” have also hinted at new screen layouts, which may indicate that the upcoming design will utilize more of the display area and include support for widgets, enhancing user interaction and experience.
The choice of the name “Cielo,” which translates to “sky” in both Italian and Spanish, raises intriguing questions about its significance. While “Coolwalk” was more abstract, the new codename might suggest a theme of openness and expansiveness, although its deeper implications remain unclear.
As for the current Android Auto 18.0 update, it primarily serves to build upon the existing redesign framework. There are no immediate indicators that a full rollout of the anticipated features is on the horizon. Interestingly, remnants of the “Coolwalk” codename still linger in the code, particularly concerning the long-awaited light/dark theme, which has yet to see the light of day in this update.
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