Android Auto version 14.0 is currently rolling out to all compatible devices after a few weeks in beta. As is often the case with this type of update, don't expect an interface overhaul or spectacular new features. The bulk of the work is happening behind the scenes: bug fixes, improved stability, and small optimizations.
Google Assistant in the passenger seat
That said, a few visual details are changing. The microphone icon, which previously launched Google Assistant, has, for example, swapped its familiar colors for a more understated, all-white design. A minor change? Maybe. But some see it as a clear signal: Google is preparing to replace Assistant with Gemini, its new artificial intelligence launching in late 2023.
For a while now, Google has been pushing Gemini everywhere in the Android universe: on phones, in apps, in web services... but not yet in the car. Android Auto seemed to be lagging behind in this regard. Version 14.0 suggests that this will no longer last.
Lines of code spotted by 9to5Google directly mention Gemini. One of them claims that "Gemini is now the personal assistant in your car," while others talk about user experience feedback or message summaries. In short, Google is laying the groundwork, even if nothing is active for the general public yet.
For now, no official timeline has been given. We will probably have to wait until the Google I/O conference, scheduled for May 20, to learn more. But given the state of Google Assistant — often criticized for its haphazard responses, especially in the car — many users hope Gemini will do better.
Another clue about the future of Android Auto: Google is also testing the ability to play certain Android games directly on the dashboard screen. This too will be coming later, in a future version.
If you want to install Android Auto 14.0, you can do so via the Play Store. You won't necessarily see any visible changes, but the machine is moving. For Google, this update is a step. For users, it's a signal: something more ambitious is coming. You'll just have to be a little patient... and hope that Gemini will actually listen when you talk to him.
0 Comments