At the recent Google I/O 2025 event, the tech giant unveiled a series of innovative media app templates as part of its Android for Cars App Library. These templates are designed to enhance the user experience on Android Auto, allowing media applications to deliver a more cohesive and engaging interface.
New Features for Developers
Developers can now leverage the new Media Playback template to create a streamlined “Now Playing” view, complete with customizable interactions. Currently, these templated media applications are in a closed beta phase, enabling developers to test and refine their offerings before a broader rollout. Notably, we have gained early access to this new interface through Spotify and YouTube Music, providing a glimpse into the forthcoming changes.
With the introduction of Android Auto v15.1.653404, the Templated Media UI has been activated for both Spotify and YouTube Music. This update brings a fresh look to the Now Playing interface, adapting seamlessly to the DPI of various car head units. One of the standout features is the newly designed seekbar, which embraces the Material 3 Expressive aesthetic, marking a departure from the previous design showcased by Google.
As developers eagerly await the opportunity to publish these templated media apps to open and production tracks, Google has yet to confirm a timeline for this transition. The anticipation is palpable, as many hope for a swift release that would allow a wider audience to experience the revamped media app interfaces on Android Auto. However, there are some reservations regarding the new desaturated color palette, which has elicited mixed reactions among users.
In the world of app development, an APK teardown serves as a valuable tool for predicting potential features that may emerge in future updates, based on the examination of work-in-progress code. While these insights can be intriguing, it is essential to note that not all anticipated features will necessarily make their way into public releases.
