mini-player Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Big changes are coming to Android Auto — these are the music apps in line for a major redesign

Google has announced design enhancements for music applications in Android Auto as part of the Android Auto 17.0 beta, revealed at the I/O 2026 developer event. The update will benefit apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Gaana, PocketFM, and TuneIn. The Car App Library updates provide developers with more flexibility in app interface design, allowing for user-friendly experiences that reduce distractions. New features include an adaptive mini-player for media apps and additional component types like Chip and CondensedItem. Developers are encouraged to join the early-access beta program to utilize the new Car Library App templates.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Media apps in Android Auto are about to get a big design boost

Google is enhancing the Car App Library with new features for developers, including expanded headers, spotlight sections, new progress bars, grid item variations, chips, compact items, interactive headers, and a mini-player component for easier playback control. The updates are available in versions 1.8.0-beta01 and 1.9.0-alpha01, with early access encouraged for developers. Popular media apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music are integrating these features. Upcoming support for video playback in vehicles will roll out later this year for devices on Android 17 or higher. Future updates will allow for a templated experience that transitions into the full app interface when parked, along with agentic and voice-based interactions. Additionally, Maps SDK support for Cars with Google Built-in will enable seamless rendering of map-based content in applications.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Android Auto is getting massive music app redesigns, starting with these apps [Gallery]

At Google I/O 2026, Google announced updates for Android Auto, focusing on media applications with a redesign, widgets, and video application support. The Car App Library will upgrade to version 1.9.0-alpha01, allowing for more customizable media app designs. New components for developers include expanded headers, spotlight sections, new progress bars, chip shortcuts, and an adaptive mini-player. Developers can apply for a beta program for early access, with initial changes appearing in apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Gaana, PocketFM, and TuneIn. Custom user interfaces for Spotify and YouTube were also showcased.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

YouTube Said to Be Testing ‘Play Something’ Floating Action Button in App

YouTube is testing a new feature called Play something in its mobile app for Android users, designed to help users choose content. This feature appears as a floating action button (FAB) in the YouTube Android app version 19.50. When engaged, it plays videos within the YouTube Shorts interface and can also play standard YouTube videos in portrait layout, with interactive features like liking, disliking, commenting, and sharing. A timeline scrubber appears for navigation, but the FAB disappears when the YouTube mini-player is activated. Additionally, YouTube is testing a vertical scroll gesture for video navigation and has expanded its AI-driven auto-dubbing feature for transcribing and translating videos between English and various languages.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

YouTube TV for Android picks up a controversial design change from the main YouTube app

YouTube TV is introducing a mini-player feature in its Android app, inspired by the main YouTube app's design. The mini-player, available in version 8.47.0, will be located at the bottom of the screen and includes controls for play, pause, rewind, fast-forward in 15-second increments, and pinch-to-zoom functionality. This development follows user backlash against a similar mini-player in the main YouTube app, which was later reverted to a stationary design due to glitches. YouTube TV aims to provide a smoother experience with this new feature.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

The YouTube TV app for Android gets the new PiP mini-player design

The YouTube TV app for Android has introduced a new mini-player design in version 8.47.0, featuring a picture-in-picture layout that enhances user experience. The updated mini-player includes a central play-pause button and controls for skipping forward or rewinding by 15 seconds. Users can return to the main screen by tapping the center button, and the mini-player allows for pinch-to-zoom functionality. While the default size remains small, the update aligns the YouTube TV app more closely with the overall YouTube ecosystem. Users have expressed appreciation for the intuitive controls, although some have noted the occasional return of the older mini-player style.