Android Auto has officially introduced a redesigned media player with version 16.0.660224, which is now available to stable users after its beta rollout earlier this month. The new interface was first previewed at Google I/O 2025 last May and enhances user experience by placing the play/pause button in the bottom left corner, along with track controls nearby.
This updated layout is currently being implemented in various apps, including Spotify and Pocket Casts, which also feature updated theming to align with album art. Notably, the redesign affects the condensed dashboard view as well. Despite this significant change, the latest update does not include any other major user-facing modifications.
Users have expressed mixed feelings about the ongoing transition to the new look, particularly regarding the performance of Google Assistant, which has faced issues during the prolonged rollout of the Gemini feature.