• Gemini calls have stopped working on Android Auto for some
• Many users are going back to Google Assistant
• Google is promising that a fix is now on the way for the issue

Update: Google has confirmed that "We are aware of an issue preventing some users from making calls with Gemini on Android Auto and mobile devices. A fix is now available, and users can resolve this by updating their app to the latest version in the Google Play Store." Our original story is below.

Gemini hasn't been available through the Android Auto dashboard for long, but users are now running into problems with making calls through the AI assistant — and some are even switching back to the older Google Assistant out of frustration.

As spotted by 9to5Google, multiple reports of this issue are popping up online. When an attempt to make a call through Gemini on Android Auto is made, an error message shows up: "Something went wrong. Please try again."

This also seems to be affecting Gemini-initiated calls on Android itself, to some extent. While it's being widely reported, however, it doesn't seem to be affecting everyone, and in some cases comes and goes intermittently.

This Reddit thread details a couple of workarounds that might work: either going back to Google Assistant, or uninstalling the most recent updates for the Google app on Android. The problem does appear to have appeared rather suddenly.

A fix is coming?

Something went wrong error while making calls via gemini app and Android auto. from r/GoogleGeminiAI

It's fair to say that the switch over to Gemini hasn't been a perfectly smooth one, which is perhaps to be expected when millions of devices all move from one AI assistant to another. Gemini has also had problems getting to grips with smart home devices.

Online reactions are overwhelmingly negative, as users find themselves without calling functionality in their cars. "The whole Gemini migration has been a dumpster fire," says one commenter on Reddit, while "absolute rubbish" is another prominent post.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel. An official Google post on Reddit suggests that a fix is rolling out for the problem — though the comment immediately below it says that the bug is persisting, even after updating.

If you're experiencing this issue and don't want to uninstall updates or go back to Google Assistant, all you need to do (hopefully) is sit tight: make sure you apply any updates to Android, and the Google and Gemini apps on your phone, as they show up.

• Google announced that music apps in Android Auto will be getting big design upgrades
• Developers will be able to have more flexibility when designing their app experiences across dashboards with Android Auto
• Improvements include more content layout templates, better visual headers, and smoother navigation features

The experience of listening to your favorite tunes in your car could soon be transformed, with Google giving developers of apps for Android Auto more flexibility when designing their apps to improve layouts and enable easier navigation.

Last week Google announced a major AI-powered upgrade of Android Auto. The Android Auto 17.0 beta is now available, and at its I/O 2026 developer event Google has teased some of the changes coming this year, including revamp of several of the most popular music apps, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Gaana, PocketFM, and TuneIn.

An update to the Car App Library will give app developers more options for how they want content-browsing and playback to appear in Android Auto. Until now, developers have faced restrictions on layout designs due to safety concerns, and this upgrade gives developers more freedom with designing their apps to provide minimal-distraction experiences across different dashboard types that support Android Auto.

The company will be increasing the adaptability of templates to give developers more content layout options, which includes new headers to improve visual elements, as well as “spotlight sections that can be placed in scrollable areas to highlight specific content, and grid item variations to support different content types and states”.

Google details the changes in further detail in a post on its developer blog, adding that it will also be “introducing new components and template capabilities to help developers build even more engaging experiences”.

“For media apps, we're introducing an adaptive mini-player, so users can browse while still easily managing playback,” the post says, adding “Finally, we're adding more component types including Chip and CondensedItem to increase the ways that content can be displayed and interacted with.”

Some developers have already started using Android Auto’s new layout options to revamp their car app experiences, and Google is inviting more developers to join its early-access beta program and start using the new or Car Library App templates.

• Android Auto widgets look set to be arriving soon
• They've been spotted hidden in the latest Android Auto app
• The available widgets match the standard Android ones

With the Gemini AI upgrade now installed for Android Auto users worldwide, Google is turning its attention to another feature for the vehicle dashboard interface: widgets that match the ones on your phone home screen.

The first signs of this were actually spotted months ago, but in the latest version of the Android Auto app, the folks at Android Authority have spotted more hidden code that suggests support for widgets isn't far off now.

When the feature does go live, there will be a new Car widgets option in the settings for Android Auto, based on the newly discovered screen images. From there, you get taken to a widget picker not unlike the one for a phone home screen.

It's not clear when Google might decide to start rolling out this feature to users, but it looks pretty finished. The Google I/O 2026 event is happening later this month, on May 19-20, which would be a suitable time for an announcement like this.

Sign me up

From the code and the screens dug up by Android Authority, it looks as though a lot of the same widgets available on Android itself will also be supported by the Android Auto interface — and I'm keen to give them a try.

From countdown starters to calendar previews, from battery charts to fitness info, I make extensive use of widgets on the home screen of my phone. Having them on my car dashboard too would be genuinely useful.

Space is restricted on an Android Auto display of course, so it'll be interesting to see how Google actually implements this — especially if Google Maps is in navigation mode, which will necessarily have to take up a lot of the room on the display.

Hopefully Google manages to implement this in a way that isn't overly clunky — and in a way which doesn't require any subsequent updates to squash persistent bugs — and if so, I'll be adding some widgets immediately.

• A major fix for Android Auto seems to be on the way
• It would allow alarms to be dismissed from the vehicle dashboard
• Users have been requesting this for years now

If you're an Android Auto user, you'll know that you can't dismiss alarms from the vehicle dashboard — you have to do it on your phone. It's a frustrating inconvenience, but one that Google is apparently getting around to doing something about.

The team at Android Authority has discovered that the ability to both snooze and stop alarms is hidden in the code for the latest version of Android Auto. These options will appear on the Android Auto screen when a phone is ringing.

As the report points out, it's been something users have requested for close to a decade at this point. It also feels like a basic function that really should've been added by now, considering everything else Android Auto is capable of.

While alarms could be dismissed via a Google Assistant voice command, this isn't something that Gemini can do yet. The next-gen AI assistant is now rolling out to Android Auto users, but without being able to control alarms.

Still plenty of fixes to go

The newly discovered code isn't enabled yet, so it's not clear how long we'll have to wait before this goes live. However, the Android Authority team was able to manually activate it to bring up the on-screen options.

Reactions on Reddit to the appearance of this code have been most similar: there's a feeling that this shouldn't be difficult for Google to implement, and that there are lots of other Android Auto issues that also need addressing.

One poster says "it should not be hard" to add the functionality, while another is complaining about Android Auto "crashing every 10 mins" — an indication that the software experience isn't ideal for everyone at the moment.

At least the software engineers do seem to be hard at work on Android Auto: we've recently seen an issue with Do Not Disturb addressed, while navigation mode has also been given some useful EV upgrades.

• EV route planning on Android Auto is getting a smart upgrade
• It's rolling out across 350 EV makes and models in the US
• Changes to the way media autoplay works are also appearing

If you use Android Auto inside an electric vehicle, route planning just got significantly smarter and more personalized — while there are also signs that the Android dashboard is going to improve the way that audio autoplay is handled.

First up is the EV route planning, which is powered by AI and will give charging recommendations based on the make and model of your car and how much battery you've got left. Google says the upgrade applies to more than 350 electric vehicles with Android Auto available, across 16 brands.

While basic search for EV charging points was already available in Google Maps and Android Auto, now the software will be able to tap into what it knows about the EV you're in to suggest where you need to recharge and when, considering the length and destination of the journey you're about to embark on.

Android Auto will use its AI algorithms and calculations about your vehicle's weight and battery size to give you the best route and charging options. These details will be combined with the usual Google Maps data, including real-time information about traffic, road elevation, and weather conditions.

Autoplay prompts

To take advantage of the new EV route planning features, you first need to tell Google Maps about your car. From the app on your phone, tap your profile picture (top right), then Settings > Your vehicles to enter the details under Engine and Vehicle.

When you plot a route on the Android Auto dashboard, you'll then be able to set your starting battery level. Google says the feature is rolling out now to models from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, FIAT, Genesis, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen — though this is only in the US for now.

Our other Android Auto tidbit is something that's been spotted by Android Police. It seems that if you quickly stop media from autoplaying on the dashboard three successive times, you'll be asked if you want to turn autoplay off via a pop-up alert — so the next time Android Auto connects, nothing starts playing right away.

This behavior can already be controlled via Android Auto on your phone (on Pixel devices it's under Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto), but it's a toggle switch that many users may have missed. The new prompt makes it a little easier to disable autoplay if you'd like to.

• YouTube has rolled out support for Android Auto with playback controls
• The catch is that it doesn't play videos, and you can only stream audio
• You also need YouTube Premium for it to work, as it's essentially background play

YouTube is finally rolling out support for Android Auto, the app that allows you to mirror your smartphone screen to your car’s dashboard — but before your excitement takes over, you should note that it comes with a slew of limitations.

The video platform has been quite silent with this launch however, and instead of formally announcing the integration, users online have come across it themselves like in this Reddit post. As it stands, Android Auto is pretty strict with what you can and can’t do while your car is in motion which, when it comes to eliminating visual distractions while driving, is a safety no-brainer. That said, YouTube on Android Auto is not the YouTube you know and love.

For starters, Android Auto removes one of YouTube’s key elements and that’s its video player, meaning you won’t be able to watch anything and can only listen to audio playback just like the best music streaming services. In theory, you can play any type of content you want, but you’ll only be able to listen to its audio — which won’t be a huge setback if you exclusively listen to podcast episodes or videos that are ideal for audio-only listening.

Though it takes away YouTube’s biggest functionality, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise and is arguably the most sensible thing to do to ensure safe driving. Not only that, it doesn’t offer full-screen viewing or the option to browse for content, and playback controls are also limited on top of that.

As reported by 9to5Google, you won’t be able to skip forward within a video, and the current skip button will take you straight to the next video in the queue. You can still pause and play audio from the player screen, but you won’t have access to YouTube’s complete slew of playback tools.

Until now, users have been relying on workarounds to get YouTube working on Android Auto, so I can see this integration being widely welcomed. But it wouldn’t be classic YouTube if there weren’t a YouTube Premium catch.

A secret YouTube Premium persuasion strategy

Did you think you could get away with streaming YouTube through Android Auto for free? I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to need a YouTube Premium subscription in order to do so.

In typical YouTube style, Android Auto integration is another functionality that’s being paywalled behind Premium and it’s all because of background play, which is required for streaming through Android Auto. As this is a tool only available to paying subscribers, only those with a membership will be able to stream YouTube on a car dashboard, and the way I look at it is this is yet another strategy YouTube is using to get more people signing up to Premium.

The cheapest way to do this is through YouTube Premium Lite which costs $7.99 / £7.99 / AU$8.99 a month, a relatively new tier that was launched last year. Background viewing and offline downloads were added just a few months back, but while it offers majority ad-supported viewing, this doesn’t apply to music and other music-related content. If you’re like me and use YouTube for all things music and live performances, the standard Premium plan is your best option.

• Many users are currently experiencing Android Auto issues
• Galaxy and Pixel phones are among those affected
• Samsung and Google haven't commented on the bugs yet

It seems there's a major bug (or perhaps multiple bugs) affecting Android Auto right now, with significant numbers of users reporting that they are having problems connecting their phone to their vehicle's dashboard.

Autoevolution has a report that highlights issues with the new Samsung Galaxy S26 phones specifically: apparently connections to Android Auto simply aren't working for these handsets for certain users, with no real clues as to why.

A comprehensive post over on Reddit rounds up some of the complaints, with users even considering returning their phones: "There's no way I'm keeping this phone if it doesn't work with Android Auto," writes one Redditor.

While we've had no official comment from Samsung, some users are reporting that they have been able to get their phones working after applying the latest software patches. Others have resorted to manually installing an older version of Android Auto.

Pixels too

It's not just the Galaxy S26 phones that are having problems with Android Auto at the moment. Another Autoevolution article reports that Google Pixel phone owners are having trouble too, particularly with wired connections to their dashboard.

In these cases the issues appear to have started after the recent software update Google pushed out to Pixel phones this month. One theory is that the Advanced Protection security feature on these devices is blocking the Android Auto connection.

There are posts on the Android Auto help forums explaining that Android Auto won't connect while a phone is locked — which it should do. Again, there's been no official response from Google as of yet.

While it's hard to gauge just how many users this is affecting, there are plenty of complaints. Let's hope Google and Samsung are investigating, and are able to issue fixes for these problems sooner rather than later.

• The iOS 26.4 beta opens up CarPlay to third-party AI bots
• Apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini could soon show up
• These apps will still need to be updated to work on CarPlay

Just a few days after the upgrade was rumored, it's arrived: the new iOS 26.4 public beta release enables third-party, voice-controlled AI chatbots on CarPlay, so you can chat to the likes of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude from inside your vehicle.

As spotted by MacRumors, the official CarPlay Developer Guide put together by Apple has been updated to reflect the change. A new voice control screen is being implemented that enables these conversational chatbots to provide visual feedback.

This doesn't mean you can start talking to ChatGPT right away, even if you've installed the beta software: apps such as ChatGPT will need to be updated to take advantage of the new feature, and that could take some time.

What's more, these apps won't displace Siri as the default voice assistant. They won't let you control any of the functions of your car or your iPhone with your voice, and you won't be able to assign a 'wake word' to them – you'll need to launch them with a tap.

AI friends

Apple hasn't said exactly why it's enabling this functionality now, but we know it has been playing nicely with third-party AI chatbots for some time. ChatGPT is currently integrated into Siri, and Google Gemini models will be powering Siri later this year.

In fact, the new and improved, Gemini-powered Siri was supposed to appear with iOS 26.4 too – though there's no sign of it yet. The latest word from those in the know is that it'll turn up with iOS 27, which is scheduled to roll out around September time.

iOS 26.4 should be out for everyone within a few weeks: by that time, Google, OpenAI, Claude, and others may have enabled CarPlay access. We're also getting a bunch of other upgrades with iOS 26.4, including Apple Music and Camera improvements.

Of course, opening up CarPlay like this doesn't do Apple any harm in terms of avoiding further regulatory scrutiny either – especially from the EU. It means alternative AIs will be available from CarPlay just like they are from your iPhone home screen.

• Google has made a small but useful tweak to Android Auto
• Driving status can now be ascertained via Bluetooth
• This reduces the chances of mistakenly muting notifications

If you're a regular Android Auto user, you may have noticed that there are a rather complicated set of rules around notifications being automatically blocked while you're driving – but it seems Google has now sorted out one of the most frustrating issues.

As spotted by Android Authority, the option to have Do Not Disturb automatically enabled in Android Auto when motion is detected seems to have been tweaked. This setting was known for accidentally muting alerts on the phones of passengers as well as drivers.

Now, the old option to have Do Not Disturb turn itself on when the phone is connected to a car dashboard via Bluetooth has been added back. That's a much more reliable indicator of whether someone is driving and whether this mode should be enabled.

It makes sense that you don't necessarily want a flurry of alerts distracting you while you're at the wheel, but it's also important to give users control over this – and not have Do Not Disturb enabling itself without any manual interactions.

Check for updates

Google hasn't actually said anything officially about this, so we don't have the full story, but as per Android Authority the update is starting to roll out across various Android devices. Version 26.05.32 of Google Play Services is the update to look out for.

On a Pixel phone, you can check if you've been given the refresh by opening up Settings, then tapping Modes and Driving. If you select While driving, you'll see the Bluetooth option is back, if your Google Play Services version is right up to date.

Samsung phones actually do this best, because they also make the phone check that it's connected to an Android Auto dashboard – not just a Bluetooth device. Let's hope Google adds a little more granular control here in the future.

The next notable Android update is Android 17, and it should be arriving later this year with multiple upgrades included. So far, however, there haven't been any indications that Android Auto will get any significant upgrades.

• Google Assistant is failing for many on Android Auto
• These users are still waiting for their Gemini upgrade
• The Gemini rollout should be fully completed in the near future

Google's Gemini AI is slowly replacing Google Assistant on Android Auto, but for those users still waiting to be switched over, an increasing number of functions are breaking – and people aren't happy about it.

As noted by 9to5Google, there are multiple reports on Reddit of Google Assistant refusing to carry out tasks or give answers that it previously had no problem with. One example given is the assistant not understanding navigation directions spoken out loud.

It's one thing to be still waiting for the Gemini upgrade to reach your Android Auto dashboard – it's another to find that basic functions in Android Auto are now broken because Google Assistant is becoming less and less capable.

"I didn't understand that" is apparently now a common refrain from Google Assistant whenever voice commands are tried, and one user has had to revert back to their car's built-in navigation just to find the right route from A to B each time.

Phone calls and music streaming

Anyone else notice google assistant becoming more useless? from r/AndroidAuto

There are plenty of replies to the original post: one mentions asking Google Assistant to play some tunes on Spotify, only to be met with silence. It seems that third-party integrations are now consistently breaking as well.

Another comment complains about not being able to take phone calls through Android Auto, which seems to be a running theme in the thread. These are pretty basic functions that Google Assistant has been handling for years without any problems.

"It's gotten noticeably worse lately," writes one Redditor, who has been unable to find places such as gas stations near their current location using Google Assistant. Even worse, these features are still working fine in the Google Maps app without Android Auto.

The only light at the end of the tunnel for these frustrated users is that the Gemini upgrade should arrive soon – though no fixed date has been given by Google. After that, voice interactions with AI on Android Auto should be much more natural and useful.

You likely know Meta’s Neural Band as the companion controller that lets you use a hand as an input for the Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses, but it might one day be sold separately and work with a bevy of other hardware.

Garmin, which makes a boatload of technology inside devices, showed off a concept of its next generation of in-vehicle systems at CES 2026 – one where its own-made computer can power way more than just a heads-up display and main screen, but also integrate with dynamic lighting, ultra-wideband tech, and even new inputs from voice to hand gestures.

And while this is just a concept, I got seated in the demo car, which was very much non-movable and just four seats in a rough frame, slapped on the Meta Neural Band, and was off to the races, able to spin the electronic version of the car on the main screen and even pinch to zoom in or out. It’s basic, but it’s mostly a proving ground for how these different types of inputs could prove useful in the car.

It’s part of Garmin’s Unified Cabin concept, which is basically a next-generation, much smarter interior for future vehicles. The ability to use the Neural Band is part of a collaboration between Garmin and Meta, exploring how this tech could be used.

The idea, though, is that within Android Auto, instead of saying “Hey Google” or swiping with your fingers, you can use gestures without needing to extend your hand. I was sitting in the passenger seat and had my hand just above my lap, able to make the right gestures to control the display. It was limited, but you could also use it to swipe through the interface and interact with various input elements.

There was no steering wheel in this cabin concept, but it might even work with hands on the wheel – though I’m not sure about the safety there. And the way the Meta Neural Band works is pretty ingenious; this was my first demo with it, and it’s essentially able to read finger gestures and movements via electrical signals from your wrist. It’s neat and provides feedback with subtle haptics in the band.

The Unified Cabin concept also highlighted the ability of UWB, potentially in future vehicles, to know the position of a digital key – either a fob, phone, or maybe even a Meta Neural Band one day – to welcome you with lighting as you approach, but also to provide more accuracy for when you’re in the vehicle. If you’re with a partner who also has a digital key on their phone, it can be more precise in setting the right seat style for whoever is actually in the driver’s seat. That’s not perfect as it is today.

While this is just a concept, it’s neat to see that the folks behind the tech used in vehicles are looking at future inputs. The Meta Neural Band could one day be sold on its own rather than just bundled with the Display Glasses – and who knows, it could be the key fob of a smart car you get in the future.

TechRadar has been extensively covering this year's CES, and is bringing you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2026 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

• Google Gemini is appearing on Android Auto for some
• It replaces Google Assistant as the on-board AI
• Conversational upgrades and better info are included

Google has previously promised that Gemini would be replacing Google Assistant as the go-to AI helper on Android Auto, and several months later it seems that the upgrade is starting to appear on some car dashboards.

As per 9to5Google, several users are now reporting that they're seeing Gemini pop up in Android Auto. There's no official announcement to refer to, but it seems the update is something Google has applied on the server side for certain people.

That said, it does also seem to require Android Auto 15.6 or Android 15.7, and apparently is only available for those running the beta version too. Google hasn't specified if either of those is the case, though, so that may be a coincidence.

There's nothing you can do to force the update; you just have to be patient. Once it does reach your phone, the next time you go to launch Google Assistant on Android Auto you'll see a quick introduction screen for Gemini instead.

What Gemini brings with it

Gemini on Android Auto gives you pretty much the whole experience you get from chatting with Gemini in the mobile apps or on the web. It's a more natural, conversational AI, and as Gemini Live is included you can ask follow-up questions and interrupt it too.

There are now numerous Google apps connected to Gemini too, including Google Home and Google Keep – so you could, for example, ask Gemini to create a list of recipe ingredients in Google Keep, then ask for directions to the local grocery store.

We've already seen a demo from Google covering how some of this functionality will work, and overall the AI upgrade is a substantial one. Some users are reporting that contact nicknames don't work though, so it's possible some features will get dropped too.

Earlier this week we got news of a major Gemini upgrade for Google Maps, which will of course also tie in with what you see in Android Auto – you can use the AI to ask questions about places on the map, report traffic incidents, and get more precise directions.

• Google Maps is getting AI-powered live lane guidance for your journeys
• You'll get hints on screen if you're currently in the wrong lane
• The feature is coming to the Polestar 4 first, in the US and Sweden

One of the trickiest parts of getting from A to B on the road, especially in built-up areas and unfamiliar territory, is knowing which lane you're supposed to be in – and Google Maps is about to improve this aspect of its navigation interface.

As per a post on its official blog, Google says that AI-powered live lane guidance is coming to Google Maps. It will use the front-facing camera on the vehicle to see which lane you're currently in, and tell you to move over if you need to.

"So if you’re in the far left lane and your exit is on the right, live lane guidance automatically detects this and uses clear audio and visual cues to remind you to merge in time," explains Google.

The catch? It only works for cars with Google software built right into the dashboard (so not Android Auto). The rollout is starting with the Polestar 4 in the US and Sweden "in the coming months", and as yet no other cars have been mentioned.

Less stress on the road

This is certainly a welcome upgrade, albeit one with limited availability for now. It looks as though the on-screen nudges will be fairly gentle ones, so they won't add to the stress of having to drive along difficult intersections and road networks.

Google Maps already offers some lane guidance, on both phones and Android Auto, to show you which lane you need to be in – but the benefit with the new system is that Google Maps will actually be able to tell if you're not where you need to be.

Based on my own personal experience, the lane guidance that's already in Google Maps can sometimes be hard to figure out, especially on roads where the lanes are changing at a fairly rapid pace. Of course you also need to keep eyes on the road at the same time.

To Google's credit, Google Maps is one of the apps that is regularly getting new features and improvements, including to the user interface. It also looks as though there will be a power-saving mode for navigation added in the near future.

• Waze announced a new Conversational Reporting feature last year
• It's now reaching many more users – though not everyone likes it
• The feature enables you to report road incidents using only your voice

A year ago, Waze announced a new Gemini-powered Conversational Reporting feature that would let you report events and incidents with your voice, and it seems it's now rolling out for most users – though not everyone is happy with it.

The idea is that you can share details of road closures, accidents, and other information with your fellow drivers just by talking to your car dashboard. It's easier than trying to tap at buttons on a screen

"All you need to do is tap the reporting button and speak naturally, as if you’re chatting with a friend," the Waze team explains. "Waze will understand what you’re saying and quickly add a real-time report to the map for you."

The AI and Gemini part of the process is recognizing the hazard you're describing, even if you don't use a preset series of words or exactly the right language, and assigning it to the relevant event category without you having to do anything else.

Thanks but no thanks

waze from r/waze/comments/1nti4gr/so_is_it_just_going_to_ask_me_this_every_5_seconds

The feature has been beta tested with a limited number of users over the last 12 months, but as 9to5Google and Android Headlines have spotted, it seems it's now reaching many more users (though there have been no new announcements from Waze).

Early reactions have been mixed to say the least, according to the Waze subreddit. There are several complaints about a nagging pop-up asking to turn the feature on, and users aren't happy with interruptions to their music or podcasts.

Even when it is switched on, it seems Conversational Reporting doesn't always work as advertised and doesn't always correctly identify the incident being reported. Some users are suggesting an app restart might be needed to get everything operating properly.

As it's early days for the feature – the year of beta testing notwithstanding – these initial bugs and issues will hopefully be fixed in the days ahead. In theory it should mean a safer and more convenient user experience, once it's fully up and running.

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• Gemini could come to Android Auto with precise location access
• The update would make Gemini more useful on the road
• Changes to the look of the colors on Android Auto have also been spotted

We know that Gemini is heading to Android Auto in the near future, and when the rollout does finally get underway it would seem that the AI assistant will bring a useful upgrade with it: access to your vehicle's precise location.

This tweak was spotted by the team at 9to5Google, hidden in the code of the latest beta version of the Android Auto app, v15.1. It looks as though users will be able to choose whether or not to share exact location details in the Android Auto settings.

The obvious benefits of giving Gemini full access to your location are of course navigating from A to B, and finding out about nearby places – if you need to stop for gas, for example, or want to find the best coffee shop in an area.

You can use Google Maps on Android Auto for these tasks without Gemini, but if you do need voice control and maybe a bit of extra AI assistance, then Gemini is going to be most helpful if it knows exactly where you are at all times.

The changing of the colors

Gemini is replacing Google Assistant across all of Google's apps and devices, and based on some hints dropped by Google executives at the Pixel 10 launch event, the AI bot should reach Android Auto before the year is out.

We've already seen a preview of how Gemini might look on vehicle dashboards, and to a large extent the Gemini AI is going to work exactly the same as it does on your phone, only on a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the folks at Android Authority have spotted something else in the latest Android Auto code: a less vibrant color palette that's not quite as saturated, with a primary color pulled from the selected wallpaper.

It's possible that we'll get the Gemini update and the revised color theme options at the same time, but we're going to have to wait to see exactly how they fit in with the current interface – and as soon as Google officially starts the rollout, we'll let you know.

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• A new video shows how the integration will work
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Gemini is taking over from Google Assistant across all of Google's apps and devices, and Android Auto will be making the switch soon – as shown by a new demo video that gives us an idea of how the AI assistant is going to work on your car's dashboard.

The video was captured at Google I/O 2025 and posted by 9to5Google, and you can see how Gemini slots in on the right-hand of the screen (or perhaps the left-hand, depending on the rules of the road in your country).

If you've used Gemini on your phone, the interface will be familiar, with the glowing blue-ish ripples showing that Gemini is active. You're then free to ask whatever questions you have on the road, using natural language.

You might want to see nearby gas stations for example, or have Gemini pull up the location of an event you're heading to from your Google Calendar. Anything you can do on your phone you can do through Gemini on Android Auto.

More flexibility

One demo Google showed off was using Gemini to compile a list of ingredients for a particular meal in Google Keep, then asking for directions to the local grocery store to pick up the necessary supplies – all very impressive.

Generally, it's much more flexible and more intelligent than Google Assistant. All of your in-car chats will be synced back to Gemini on the web and on your phone, so you can pick up where you left off on other devices and carry on the conversation.

With Android Automotive (so the version built right into cars), the interface is a little more subtle, with a small pop-up bar showing Gemini. However, the exact look can vary depending on your vehicle and the dashboard screen configuration.

It's not clear exactly when Gemini will show up on Android Auto, but Google has said it's coming soon, and we've seen numerous signs that it's on the way. Gemini is already the default AI assistant on new Android phones.

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• Audio-only video playback is heading to Android Automotive
• The update should eventually reach Android Auto
• Google previously promised video apps for Android Auto

If you're an Android Auto user like me, you'll know there's currently no support for video playback. However, video apps are now on the way to the software, with a useful tweak for those times when your vehicle is on the move.

As spotted by 9to5Google, there's a new clip uploaded by Google to the Android Developers account: it shows the Android Automotive interface switching to an audio-only mode for videos while driving.

Android Automotive is the version of Android Auto that car makers can build into their vehicles, no Android phone required. This platform does already support video apps, but only when the car is parked.

Eventually, these same features should make their way to Android Auto on phones. Last week we got the news that video players are "coming soon" to Android Auto, so let's hope audio-only playback isn't too far behind.

A long time coming

I can understand why it's taken a while for video apps to make it to Android Auto, because there's the danger of distracting drivers – and with the software running from a phone, it's harder to detect when a vehicle is actually in motion.

However, I'm glad that Google is getting around to providing support for both video apps and an audio-only mode. As a YouTube Premium subscriber, I watch a lot of videos, and having access to them in my car will add a lot more entertainment to journeys.

Even with the video disabled, I can listen to live music gigs, video explainers, ambient music mixes, video podcasts, interviews, and much more besides. Then when I'm parked up, I can check out the football highlights too.

This is only just being worked on by developers for Android Automotive, so it may be a significant while before it makes it to the consumer version of Android Auto – but I'll be patiently waiting to use it as soon as it appears.

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• Video and browser apps are "coming soon" to Android Auto
• The apps will only be available when you're parked
• We should also now see more weather apps for the platform

The Google news just keeps on coming: as we enter the second day of Google I/O 2025, Google has flagged up "new in-car app experiences" for Android Auto, which will include video players and browser apps for the first time.

As per the official blog post, support for both video and browsers is "coming soon" to Android Auto. However, like games on Android Auto, these apps will only work when your vehicle is parked to prevent them from distracting you on the road.

For video players, the roll-out will initially be for Android 16 devices and "select compatible cars", so it sounds as though this might depend a little bit on the hardware you're using and the dashboard you're connecting up to.

Google does mention being able to listen to the audio from videos while you're driving, but this is still at the "early access" stage for now, and there's more work to do here for Google, car makers, and app developers.

Take the weather with you

In the same blog post, Google says the weather app category has now graduated from beta, which means they don't need specific approval to run on Android Auto – look for more weather apps appearing soon.

For cars with Google dashboards already built in (which isn't many, at the moment), the development is even further ahead: the video app category is now open for submissions, while the browser category is currently in beta.

The blog post also mentions that the Gemini assistant will be coming to Android Auto in the "coming months", which is something we'd already seen signs of. Eventually, it'll take over all voice control duties on the dashboard.

Being able to sit and watch a video with passengers on Android Auto would be a very welcome upgrade. For me, web browsing on a car dashboard is less appealing, but it's good to see the platform being upgraded and expanded over time.

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• Dolby Atmos is coming to Bose and Burmester premium Porsche systems
• Also onboard: Alexa support and a new App Center
• New hardware delivers improved responsiveness

Porsche's in-car entertainment is going to get even better in this year's models, thanks to a significant upgrade that brings Dolby Atmos to the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne model series.

That's not the only new feature either. There's also Amazon Alexa plus an expanded Porsche Connect package, and the system itself should be even smoother in everyday operation.

Porsche is also introducing a new App Center, which we first saw in the all-electric Macan.

What's new in 2025 model Porsches

Porsche calls its infotainment system Porsche Communication Management, or PCM for short (yes, a little confusing for those of us into hi-res audio and Pulse-Code Modulation, but we press on). The new model year brings upgraded hardware, and it comes with ten years of Porsche Connect "to ensure a reliable digital user experience."

One of the big changes is the App Center, which works in much the same way as the familiar phone and tablet app stores. Depending on the market (not all app makers offer their products globally), you'll be able to add apps for streaming music and podcasts, apps for weather forecasts and news, and even gaming and karaoke apps. Porsche says that there will also be smart home apps enabling you to control your home when you're on the road.

Another big upgrade is the addition of Alexa to the existing Porsche Voice Pilot. You'll be able to activate it with the Alexa trigger word, with a button or with one of the PCM icons. Alexa will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Canada.

And then there's Dolby Atmos. For the first time, cars with the premium and high-end audio systems from Bose and Burmester will have Dolby Atmos, and will be compatible with Atmos-capable apps from the App Center. Being dropped right into the middle of an album as I drive a Porsche? Yes please.

The upgraded PCM will be in vehicles distributed from June 2025, and those vehicles can be ordered now.

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• Right now the responses could be more useful
• The upgrade isn't available for everyone yet

Google has been busy pushing Gemini into as many of its apps and devices as it can – from smartphones to email – and now it looks as though the AI assistant is about to make its debut on the Android Auto car dashboard platform too.

The team at Android Authority was able to get Google Gemini up and running on Android Auto, though the feature doesn't seem to be widely available yet. It may be some time before the upgrade is officially introduced, along with a Google announcement.

It's actually something of a surprise that it's taken this long for Gemini to make its way to Android Auto, considering that it's pushed its way into so many other parts of the Google ecosystem, primarily at the expense of Google Assistant.

This early look gives us a good idea of how Gemini will fit into the Android Auto interface, with an 'Ask Gemini' bar appearing along the bottom of the in-car display whenever you're chatting with the digital assistant. We'll let you know as soon as Google announces an official roll-out schedule.

More work needed

The Android Authority report does mention that Gemini responses seem "somewhat generic" and not all that useful at the moment – navigation requests don't factor in your current location or different travel options, for example.

That perhaps indicates that this is still a work in progress for Google, with more refinements on the way before it goes live for everyone – after all, it's pretty essential for an AI helper to know where in the world you are when you're using it in your vehicle.

Another area where Gemini came up short in Android Authority's testing was with listing nearby food places. While it offered up a lengthy list, it didn't plot the places on a map, which would be a lot more useful for drivers and passengers.

The AI bot was able to play songs from Spotify and managed other "routine tasks", and did well managing natural conversations about all kinds of topics – including the weather and famous landmarks – just as it would on the web or on mobile.

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• CarPlay 2.0 has missed its 2024 deadline
• Small updates were spotted in November
• A full launch could still happen in 2025

You may remember Apple teasing a next-gen CarPlay experience back in December 2023, with Porsche and Aston Martin apparently signed up to help – and we were then promised that the software would be rolling out in the US sometime in 2024.

Well, it's now 2025 – happy new year by the way – and CarPlay 2.0 has yet to arrive. As MacRumors notes, at the time of writing the official Apple website still says the first models fitted with the next generation of CarPlay will "arrive in 2024".

That raises the question of whether Apple is still working on this improved version of its in-car software, or whether it's abandoned the idea of a more integrated experience – in the same way that it's apparently abandoned plans for an Apple Car.

Apple hasn't spoken about a CarPlay upgrade for quite some time, though a few updated icons did appear in the code for iOS 18.2, which was pushed out in November. It seems the project might be delayed, rather than completely dead.

What is CarPlay 2.0?

Apple went into quite a bit of detail about this new and improved CarPlay at its WWDC event in June 2024. We heard about branding that would be tweaked for each car maker, and new apps offering deeper hooks into the different parts of the vehicle.

Essentially, that's what Apple CarPlay 2.0 is about: deeper integration into features such as climate control, on-board cameras, and electric vehicle charge status, which the current version of CarPlay can't access.

All of this will require help from the automobile manufacturers, which may be the reason for the delay. Getting these companies to commit to Apple's car software rather than their own is perhaps one of the major stumbling blocks in the way.

We were a little concerned about the delay back in December – but let's hope it is just a delay and not a full cancellation. Another WWDC show will no doubt be set for June, and we might have heard more by then.

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Typically these days, when you get in a modern car, there are two ways you can interact with the infotainment system: via phone projection (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) or via the native infotainment software. Generally speaking, since auto manufacturers aren’t very good at making software, most native infotainment experiences stink, and that’s one of the main reasons why phone projection has become so popular.

But things are different with EVs. As I’ve written about before, good route planning requires access to real-time vehicle data such as battery capacity, state of charge, temperature, energy consumption (which is affected by factors like vehicle speed and climate control settings), tire pressure, etc… Your phone doesn’t have access to this real-time data, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ill-suited for accurate route planning.

This is why quality native infotainment software is critical, especially in EVs. And this is also why, in the long run, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto simply aren’t the answer for in-vehicle infotainment. But there’s hope. EV startups like Tesla and Rivian are leading the way by offering top-notch native infotainment experiences that deliver best-in-class route planning and infotainment while also seamlessly integrating with your phone.

Basically, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are band-aids for poor native infotainment software. You don’t project your iPhone’s screen onto your iPad. You login to your iPad with your Apple ID and all your iPhone’s content is immediately available. Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Nio understand this well, providing vertically integrated infotainment experiences in their EVs and across other devices in their ecosystems, including their phones.

Say hello to Android Automotive

Google understands this too, and that’s why, back in 2017, the company launched Android Automotive OS (AAOS) an Android-based open-source OS for in-vehicle infotainment. As with Android on mobile devices, AAOS comes in two flavors. There’s a version without Google’s services and one with Google built-in, using GAS (Google Automotive Services) – the equivalent to GMS (Google Mobile Services) on phones and tablets.

Today, you’ll find Android Automotive (without GAS) on two dozen vehicles from Rivian, Audi, BMW, and Stellantis, and the quality of the infotainment experience varies widely – with Rivian leading the pack. But what’s more interesting is Android Automotive with Google built-in (with GAS), which has the potential to deliver the kind of Google-rich experience available on phones and tablets – complete with Play Store and familiar apps.

Sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, things aren’t so great out there in the real world. To be honest, Android Automotive with Google built-in is kind of a mess right now. But fear not: there is hope. While some auto manufacturers are stumbling to implement AAOS with GAS properly (General Motors, Honda), others are doing it right (Polestar, Volvo). So, let’s explore what’s wrong, how to fix it, and the role Google and OEMs are playing in all this.

Doing it right

In the last couple of months, I've driven two new battery-electric SUVs that showcase Android Automotive’s full potential: the Polestar 3 and the Volvo EX90. Polestar used to be Volvo’s performance division and is now an EV-only brand. Polestar and Volvo are both owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely. Both cars share the same SPA2 EV platform and are assembled in Volvo’s Ridgeville, South Carolina plant.

These two EVs check all the right boxes, with good modern design, a nice refined interior, solid build quality, lots of tech, plenty of power, and a great driving experience. The Polestar 3 is sportier and more performance-oriented. It features two rows of seats, with more space in the back. Meanwhile, the Volvo EX90 is a family-friendly 3-row SUV geared more toward comfort and luxury. It competes squarely with Kia’s top-range EV9 and Rivian’s R1S.

While there’s an obvious family resemblance and plenty of shared parts between both EVs – including the excellent (optional) Dolby Atmos-compatible Bowers & Wilkins audio system – these two cars deliver virtually identical infotainment software on their vertical, center-mounted, 14.5-inch touchscreen. This infotainment experience is powered by Android Automotive with Google built-in and is clean, simple, responsive, and super intuitive.

What sets the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 infotainment experience apart from the competition – and more akin to what Tesla and Rivian are delivering – is that AAOS with GAS does not feel tacked on. Instead, Android Automotive with Google built-in takes center stage without becoming overbearing. This infotainment software was clearly designed with care and attention to detail. It works well and looks great, making it a pleasure to use.

Still, the software in these two cars isn’t perfect. The launch of both EVs was delayed to resolve software issues, and I experienced bugs while driving both the Polestar 3 (instrument display freezing) and Volvo EX90 (phone key not responding). And if you’d rather use phone projection, neither SUV supports Android Auto, and only wired Apple CarPlay will be available initially, with wireless CarPlay arriving at some point in the future.

Missing the mark

In the last few weeks, I also drove a few EVs based on General Motors’ Ultium architecture, including the zesty Acura ZDX Type S SUV, the luxurious Cadillac LYRIQ SUV, the spacious Chevrolet Silverado EV RST pickup truck, and the practical Honda Prologue SUV. These are all competent EVs that vary in size and price and run Android Automotive with Google built-in on displays that vary in size and quality.

Obviously, these cars share a lot of parts, especially interior parts. That’s fine, but it’s kind of jarring to drive an Acura with Chevy switchgear and identical Level 2+ ADAS (GM Super Cruise). While the Honda Prologue is similar to the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Acura ZDX Type S is closer to the Cadillac LYRIQ. The Silverado EV RST pickup truck stands out for its giant battery (200kW), amazing range (460 miles), and massive weight (9,100lbs).

It’s worth mentioning that, despite its heft, the Silverado EV RST drives really well. While it’s no match for the Rivian R1T, I think it drives better than the Ford F-150 Lightning (especially the steering). As for Android Automotive with Google built-in, it looks and feels like an afterthought in all these EVs. Sure, you’re given the option to log in with your Google account when first setting up your driver profile in the infotainment system, but that’s about it.

The infotainment experience isn’t intuitive or attractive and lacks the modern design touches of Tesla or Rivian’s infotainment software. It looks and feels like using Windows Mobile instead of Android, with monochromatic icons and generic fonts. There’s very little about this infotainment experience that’s Google-rich. It’s as if someone just grafted AAOS with GAS onto a vehicle infotainment system from a few years ago and called it a day.

Now don’t get me wrong: the software is responsive enough, and once you dig around in the menus and live with it for a few days, you’ll get the hang of it. But ultimately, this infotainment experience is uninspired, somewhat frustrating, and – more importantly – it doesn’t encourage you to explore Android Automotive’s many features. It’s almost as if General Motors and Honda (by association), don’t want you to use AAOS with GAS beyond maps.

This wouldn’t be such a big deal if General Motors also offered phone projection on its EVs – like Honda still does. But as you know, last year GM decided that it wouldn’t offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on future EVs. And here we are. While I still think GM’s idea makes sense in the long run (phone projection isn’t a long-term solution), this implementation of Android Automotive with Google built-in – as it stands today – isn’t good enough.

Where’s Google in all this?

As a tech journalist, I’ve been covering Google for almost 20 years, and I’ve been using Android on smartphones since day one. Remember the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1? Back in early 2022, I borrowed a Polestar 2 for an entire week mainly to try Android Automotive with Google built-in. What I’ve learned in all those years is that Google creates a lot of new products, often kills products (some beloved), but isn’t always committed to its products.

So I decided to reach out to Google and ask why Android Automotive is kind of a mess. In retrospect, that probably wasn’t the most diplomatic question to start an interview. Then again, I’m not known to pull any punches. Plus, it’s coming from a place of love – I’m a big fan of Android, after all. The Google exec I talked to (who will remain unnamed) was defensive but mostly answered my questions, for which I’m thankful.

Here’s what I found out. Google is committed to AAOS (with and without GAS), but currently prefers to have a laissez-faire approach towards how auto manufacturers (OEMs) implement Android Automotive. Basically, think of Android smartphones circa 2012. Remember HTC Sense (the good) and Samsung TouchWiz (the bad)? Yeah, Android was kind of messy back then, too. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for things to mature.

My concern, however, is that it’s been seven years since Android Automotive was introduced, and it’s still a mess. Google’s Pixel smartphones came out when Android was seven years old, and changed the game. Why isn’t Google showing auto manufacturers the way for Android Automotive like it did for Android with Nexus and Pixel devices? The exec reminded me that things move more slowly in the auto industry.

While that’s true, I also think that’s a bit of a cop-out. Auto manufacturers tend to move more slowly, yes, but things are changing. Tesla and Rivian are proof. Polestar and Volvo are also proof, delivering the closest thing yet to a Google-rich, Pixel-like AAOS infotainment experience. So it is possible for auto manufacturers to pick up the pace. They just aren’t very good at making software and adopting new tech, so they are stalling.

I believe that Google needs to reign these OEMs in like it did with smartphones back in the day. Lead by example and guide auto manufacturers by being more hands-on and by having stricter requirements. Partner with Polestar, Volvo, and others to create something like Google Play edition for AAOS with GAS. This will result in significantly better infotainment experiences and make Android Automotive more appealing to everyone.

The app problem

The other pain point I brought up with Google is the lack of apps (and lower app quality) in the Play Store for Android Automotive with Google built-in. Until now, developers had to modify their Android apps to run on Android Automotive, and that was a problem. Obviously, apps need to behave differently when a vehicle is parked than when it’s driving. You don’t want a driver to be distracted by a video or too much text on the infotainment screen.

But those safeguards also meant extra work for developers, resulting in fewer apps (and poorer app quality) in the AAOS Play Store. Take Google’s very own YouTube Music app for example. Until recently, YouTube Music for Android Automotive didn’t provide any way for you to select your preferred YouTube account profile. This appears to have been fixed since my meeting with Google. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence, but I’ll take it.

Regardless, YouTube Music for AAOS is nowhere near as polished as it is on your phone. For example, there’s still no option to disable autoplay, so once your playlist is over, you get whatever music Google picks for you. While apps like Spotify, Audible, PocketCasts, Waze, A Better Route Planner, and PlugShare can be downloaded from the Play Store, other apps, like YouTube, are only available at the whims of the OEMs.

In fact, many popular apps are missing from the Play Store altogether. There’s no NetFlix to watch videos while charging, and no Apple Music. Forget messaging and communications apps. You won’t find Gmail, Google Calendar, WhatsApp, or Telegram. Ditto social media. There’s no Instagram or Tiktok here. On the plus side, you get Chrome (Beta) and Vivaldi for browsing the web, plus Angry Birds, which is always fun.

What I learned is that Google is aware of all this, and is making it easier for developers to bring their apps to Android Automotive. Going forward, developers will be able to choose between three Android app tiers for AAOS. Car-ready apps require no changes from developers but only function when the vehicle is parked; car-optimized apps provide additional capabilities but need to be modified by developers to support driving and parked modes.

Finally, car-differentiated apps deliver the best possible Android Automotive experience and adapt to a variety of display sizes and shapes. These apps require the most customization from developers. While these tiers are definitely a step in the right direction, I’m not convinced they will attract more developers to AAOS. To start, I believe that Google needs to lead by example and make more of its own apps available for Android Automotive.

There’s hope

As you can see, things are messy and complicated in the land of Android Automotive. Some auto manufacturers are doing it right, others are missing the mark, and while Google is being hands-off as usual, the company is starting to address some of AAOS’ issues – like the lack of apps. But I also think Google needs to work more closely with OEMs to help them deliver more refined infotainment experiences. It's been seven years; it’s time.

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Lamborghini's plug-in hybrid sports car, the Revuelto, was already the epitome of bespoke Italian luxury when it launched last year but now there's even more of a reason to sign up to that two-year waiting list and that's down to a new collaboration with Sonus faber.

The Italian hi-fi brand has stepped in to make a unique sound system especially designed for the Revuelto, marking its first-ever collaboration with Lamborghini. If you love the feel of Italian leather and listening to opera while you're cruising, and have a spare say $610,000 / £450,000 / AU$990,000 under the sofa, then you can now preorder one for yourself.

This isn't the first time Sonus faber's artisanal touch has been sought after by a luxury car maker. It first worked with Pagani back in 2013 to make a sound system for the Huayra and has since partnered with Maserati to build an award-winning sound system for the MC20 Cielo that has also made its way into the brand's most iconic car, the Granturismo.

Based on its previous collaborations, you might think that Sonus faber has simply lifted its automotive sound system and put it under the hood of the Revuelto, but that is certainly not the case here. Like a Lamborghini engine's iconic roar, the all-new audio system is uniquely engineered and tuned, making it as slick as a modified luxury car by Mansory.   

Lamborghini Revuelto sound system: Key specs 

Like its namesake, the Revuelto's sound system appears to be filled with the same strength and vigor that a Spanish fighting bull has. It comes equipped with seven speakers in total. These are evenly distributed around the seats of the car, with one tweeter and mid-woofer in each door on either side of a centre channel in the dashboard that has a full-range speaker. 

There are also two integrated full-range speakers with a surround sound function behind each of the front seats to help drown out the roar of the 12 cylinders firing behind the driver's seat. To achieve this spatial audio effect, Sonus Faber had to develop an all-new phase plug, natural fibre composite material and Full Class D amplifier that can deliver up to 750 watts of power specifically for it.  

Of course, we haven't yet had a chance to hear this sound system ourselves, but if it's anything like the best wireless speaker for a luxury hi-fi system that Sonus Faber made, then I'm fine with going on the record to say it will likely be a surefire hit. Lamborghini has clearly been busy with partnerships recently – just look at this Technics’ turntable collab that brings new meaning to the phrase ‘direct drive motor’ – so it's exciting to see it relinquish control to another specialized brand to make an even more unique sports car. 

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CES 2024 may be AI's big coming-out party but the sexiest beast at the show may well be all the car technology and the innovations built around it.

There will be loads of electric vehicles and mashups of seemingly unrelated technologies like electric vehicles and in-car AR systems. The EVs will also be transforming from simply all-electric mobility platforms to Software-Defined Vehicles or SDVs. These are cars that have more in common with your laptop or smartphone than they do the classic gas-powered automobiles of the past. 

An SDV can expect over-the-air updates that can redefine the driving experience. Technologies that take advantage of this new fungibility will take center stage at CES 2024. LG Display (which is basically the display supplier for LG Electronics and a lot of other screen-based technology makers) revealed its latest in-car display systems and they are all about the SDVs.

I got a glimpse of some of the P-OLED-based systems last year, but CES 2024 marks a turning point for the in-car technology. The flexible displays are bigger than ever and have a few more visual tricks up their sleeves.

During CES 2024, which runs January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, LG Display will unveil a selection of lightweight and flexible displays that will live in large, overhead, slideaway screens for rear-seat passengers, and in full-dash coverings that can show car stats on one side and entertainment to the passenger on the other.

Displays that cover curved surfaces like the dash will be P-OLED, which means OLED screens on a flexible plastic substrate. Others will be based on LG Display's Thin OLED technology (there may also be some old-school LCD displays in there, too). OLED-based technology, though, should work especially well in cars thanks to its darker blacks (higher contrast) and clearer colors. All of it might help the displays hold up to stronger outdoor sunlight.

My natural question would be about screening the latest Batman movie on the passenger side without distracting the driver. LG Display's latest update, "switchable privacy Mode" (SPM), however, makes it so the driver doesn't see the distracting images on the passenger side. LG display describes it as "diverting away" the image from the driver's side, which is a bit unclear. Are they using some sort of lenticular technology? We should get a better idea of what LG display uses here when we see it in person.

In addition to all the panel-covering displays, LG Display will show off more slide-away and foldable in-car screen technologies. Most of the screens should be touch-enabled.

One broad benefit of bringing together SDVs with all this screen real estate is that no one has to permanently define what each screen will do. If a manufacturer covers the interior of her latest EV with screens across every surface of the car, she can always redefine their purpose with a software update.

Check out our CES 2024 hub for all the latest news from the show as it happens. We'll be covering everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI, so stick with us for the big stories.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is now commonplace in most modern infotainment systems, with users able to either plug in or connect via Bluetooth to cast a version of their smartphone’s screen to an in-car digital display.

But until now, very few OEMs have opted to develop their own CarPlay tools using the Automaker toolkit provided by Apple. Development is clearly either too tricky or expensive, or OEMs are keen to push owners to use their own software instead.

In an interview with Ars Technica, Porsche Digital's principal product manager, Cyril Dorsaz, explained that customer research revealed an overwhelming number of Porsche’s customers use iPhones and they were less than impressed with the current need to exit Apple CarPlay to interact with vehicle functionality. Aren't we all?

With this in mind, Porsche set to work expanding the functionality of the My Porsche App to increase the amount of features offered to users embedded in the Apple CarPlay ecosystem. According to Porsche, it is the first "automotive manufacturer to allow for easier access of vehicle functions within CarPlay".

This might sound like a no-brainer, but the German manufacturer has essentially created a digital hub that harnesses the typical Apple CarPlay menu screens (including the same fonts and icons) to show things like the state of charge in electric vehicles, or allow users to adjust the air conditioning, switch between favored digital radio stations and change the interior lighting – all without leaving the app.

It negates the need to exit Apple CarPlay to do things like change the radio station, something that has annoyed us for years, while the integration of Apple Maps makes it possible to make quick and easy local searches for gas stations or rest stops. You can even adjust sound profiles with a few simple clicks, rather than exiting CarPlay to root through menus. Plus, Siri can be used to control some vehicle functions with certain voice commands.

Another member of the VW Group, Seat, has also experimented with further Apple CarPlay functionality with its Seat DriveApp, but it doesn’t allow control of the vehicle’s system within CarPlay’s walls as Porsche has introduced here.

Other manufacturers, such as Volvo, have experimented with larger, tablet-style screens that can be split to show Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as well as vehicle controls, but it still doesn't feel as seamless as this solution.

"We are excited to further improve the My Porsche App and using the capabilities of Apple CarPlay to deliver a truly enhanced customer experience," says Mattias Ulbrich, CEO of Porsche Digital and CIO Porsche AG. "Technology and digitization are crucial factors for the enduring fascination of our brand – now and in the next 75 years."

The improved My Porsche App debuts on the 2024 Porsche Cayenne, which is available to order now, but the company says it will roll it out to other model lines in the near future.

What does the future hold for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Hopefully this move by Porsche will be positively received by customers and similar apps will roll out across the VW Group. After all, it’s so simple and easy to plug in a smartphone (something nearly all of us now own) and be able to use much of its functionality in the car.

Unfortunately, some of the big OEMs want to reclaim the in-car tech space from giants like Apple and Google, with GM (owner of Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Cadillac and more) stating earlier this year that it wanted to phase out Apple Car Play and Android Auto in its upcoming EVs.

"As we scale our EVs and launch our Ultifi software platform, we can do more than ever before with in-vehicle technologies and over-the-air updates," Edward Kummer, GM's chief digital officer told Detroit News. 

"All of this is allowing us to constantly improve the customer experience we can offer across our brands."

The statement was met by a swathe of criticism from all corners of the internet, with commentators suggested GM wanted to increase revenue streams by selling subscription packages, rather than considering what is most convenient for the customer.

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Waze continues making the ho-hum experience of driving more fun as it’s currently rolling out new customization options to its mobile app, including Zodiac themes.

With the Zodiac collection, you can have the in-app car icon reflect your astrological sign, like a red vehicle for Cancer with its symbol on the roof, and swap out the navigation guide to a voice specifically tailored to your theme. For example, the Aries voice is more energetic than the others, whereas Libra is more chill.

Mood icons can also match their sign for other Waze users to see a lion for Leo or a fish for Pisces. Each of the three options can be enabled on its own so icons can be changed while the navigating voice remains unchanged.

Do keep in mind the update has a few bugs. The voices for Leo and Sagittarius didn’t appear when we first tried out the update, but they did once we relaunched Waze. To enable the Zodiac themes, you can hop on over to Google’s post regarding the update and click the link at the bottom to force the changes. Otherwise, you'll need to meet the app requirements of having driven at least 100 miles while using Waze.

Customize Your Drive

Not restricted is the other half of the update which is the official launch of Customize Your Drive, making 12 previously limited content packs into permanent fixtures for Waze.

Similar to the Zodiac themes, these change the navigation voice, moods, and vehicle icon, but with a bigger emphasis on pop culture. You can have either pop stars Christina Aguilera, Kehlani, or Boy George take you to your doctor’s appointment, for example.

Waze’s collaboration with Halo Infinite returns allowing fans to choose either Master Chief or the game’s antagonist Escharum to be their navigator (yes, the Warthog and Ghost vehicle icons are back). And if you’re in the mood for cringe-worthy dad jokes, the Cats or Dogs theme will bombard you with puns so bad you’ll want to throw your phone out the window.

Joking aside, this Waze update is pretty cute with something in it for everyone. Both the Zodiac collection and Customize Your Drive feature are available to all users in the United States; however only the latter is available globally. Google states there are plans to expand the astrological themes to “more markets in the future” but didn’t give an exact date.

Be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best free Android apps for 2023 spanning over 11 full pages.  

LG Display has unveiled a ground-breaking new “invisible” speaker technology for automobiles, with a flat panel system that can easily be placed in headrests as well as car dashboards.

Developed as a direct replacement by the South Korean tech giant for traditional speakers in vehicles, the Thin Actuator Sound Solution system does away with the regular protruding voice coils, cones and magnets found in most speakers and instead uses a film-like exciter membrane. 

These can vibrate off panels and various materials within the car interior with LG claiming it can produce a "rich, 3D immersive sound experience". 

The panels' measure just 5.9 x 3.5 inches and crucially just a tenth of an inch thick, with a featherlight weight of 1.4 ounces, "without compromising sound quality," according to LG.

That slim design means the speakers could be situated almost anywhere within the interior of a vehicle, with the tech giant suggesting they could be hidden inside headliners and pillars, as well as headrests and dashboards.

The flat speaker system appears to be based on the CSO (Cinematic Sound OLED), which LG Display has shown off in an OLED TV where the display panel vibrates to generate audio without the need for dedicated speakers.  A similar innovative vibrating panel system is also used in Sony's high-end TVs, including the Sony A95K.

LG has nevertheless stated that Thin Actuator Sound Solution has been developed with an unnamed “global audio company”.

LG Display says it expects the speakers to start appearing in new car interiors in the first half of next year, with the general public set to get their first listen when the tech is exhibited in January at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.

Analysis: Nothing flat about this automobile audio breakthrough

Coming hot on the heels of NTT’s recent announcement of its leak-free, open-earphones, this new development from LG Display indicates we’re heading into a new era of how we’ll be able to consume audio.

If the speakers sound as good as LG claim, then we’d expect car manufacturers to quickly adopt the tech as the benefits appear crystal clear.

Makers would have more room to play with within the cockpit and dashboard area, while also freeing up room for slimmer door frames in the passenger area as they would no longer have to incorporate a coned speaker. Their featherlight structure would also make for a significant saving in weight and in turn efficiency for the vehicle.

The most exciting prospect for us is that the Thin Actuator Sound Solution could also allow for an increased amount of speakers that could be liberally positioned around vehicle interiors. While LG hasn’t mentioned it in its release, we’re really curious to find out if the tech works when placed in the ceiling – if so it could really open up some interesting multi-speaker support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

In the market for some new audio gear? Then check out our best Black Friday Bluetooth speaker deals.

Maserati is bringing its 21-speaker Sonus faber setup – aka the top-tier High Premium Sound System – to its more affordable SUV. And if you're in the UK, Maserati wants not only to tell you about it, but to show you as well. 

The keen-eyed will notice that where the Maserati MC20 Cielo's system (which can detect when the roof is up or down) boasted 'only' 12 talented Sonus faber speakers, this new SUV adds another nine if you want them – proof that the relationship between these two high-end Italian outfits continues to blossom. 

And so it should – after all, Sonus faber has made some of the most notable hi-fi speakers on the planet, including the newer Omnia which is still one of the best wireless speakers we've ever had the pleasure of testing. If the partnership continues to bear such fruit, we need to take notice. 

As Maserati proudly (but casually) announces on its website: "The High Premium sound system, with its 21 overall speakers, gives a total output of 1,285-watts: 7 x 45W tweeters, 3 x 60W midrange speakers… we can continue, but no data could ever fully express what you will hear."

To rectify this by inviting you to actually listen to what Sonus faber can do with in-car sound, Maserati is touring the UK with its new Grecale, an SUV that sits below the Levante in its range. 

What you'll get to hear and feel, from that sweet-spot behind the steering wheel, is Maserati's mid-range SUV automobile (if £58,500 for the GT base model still counts as mid-range in your book) complete with a top-tier Sonus Faber sound system – which comes at a nominal surcharge of, ahem, £2,200…

Want to know about the name? The Grecale is a north-easterly wind from the Mediterranean, and it's not the first time Maserati has named its cars after certain zephyrs: Mistral, Ghibli, Bora, Khamsin and indeed Levante are all names of blustery breezes – all of which will come as music to the ears of anyone who recently endured the UK's stifling 40-degree heatwave. 

Opinion: affordable, no, but Maserati's Sonus faber partnership is surely the new in-car audio class-leader

While Maserati doesn't feel any pressing need to furnish you with Grecale's full audio specs, I will – because they're pretty special. 

The 21 independently-driven speakers are designed, engineered and tuned in Italy by Sonus faber, featuring 3D Surround with an intensity level achieved thanks to a proprietary algorithm.

Said system comprises 7 x 45W tweeters, 3 x 60W midrange drivers, 2 x 45W surround midrange units, 2 x 100W front woofers, 2 x 60W rear woofers, 4 x 45W height midrange drivers and a 200W subwoofer.

If Bentley's first full electric car will suit speed demons, Maserati's Grecale will surely please the audiophile in all of us. 

The new Maserati Grecale (M182) front-engine, five-door compact crossover SUV entered production at Maserati's Cassino plant in March and has only just become available to buy, however the electric Grecale Folgore is coming next year, in 2023. 

Where do you need to go for a listen? The 10-venue UK tour started on July 8 at Maserati dealer Maranello Egham (Surrey), but it doesn't end until August 27, at Charles Hurst, Northern Ireland and it'll give attendees the opportunity to experience the new Grecale and the natural sound of Sonus faber’s sound system, which has been carefully developed in collaboration with Maserati over a three-year period.

I recently drove to Cornwall from London and nearly (very nearly) stopped by that Egham dealership. Not a good idea though is it? Too tempting by far… 

If you're into three-dimensional, incredibly life-like and immersive Dolby Atmos sound or considering buying an electric car, today is a good day. 

That's because Swedish digital audio pioneer Dirac (aka the immersive audio you've probably never heard of) and Dolby (which you have) just announced a collaboration to provide the ultimate in immersive automotive audio experience.

Why should you care? Both Dirac and Dolby have invested decades in developing technologies that deliver the best possible sound experiences in various spaces (as well as within some of the best headphones ever to grace our ears) but to date, the two companies have addressed the challenges in automotive audio from very different directions.

Dirac uses digital signal processing to upgrade sound systems and overcome acoustic challenges inherent in cars – suboptimal positioning of loudspeakers and reflective surfaces that muddy sounds and so on – so that the system more faithfully reproduces audio without unwanted colorations and without requiring any hardware upgrades.

Dolby Atmos, meanwhile, has basically changed the way artists create music. Rather than limiting musicians to two-channel stereo recording, Dolby Atmos allows for each sonic article – every instrument or vocal – to be positioned in a three-dimensional space within the recording. 

Opinion: Dolby and Dirac will establish a new standard in audio – but here's hoping it rolls out to more vehicles

The combination of Dirac and Dolby’s complementary technologies for the first time ever in a car will create not just an immersive in-car music listening experience; I truly believe it will establish a new standard in automotive audio.

 “The car is a natural place to listen to music, but vehicle cabins are also the most acoustically challenging listening environments,” said Lars Carlsson, head of business automotive development at Dirac. 

“For 20 years, Dirac has been developing tailored solutions for some of the world’s leading auto manufacturers, optimizing sound systems to achieve entirely new levels of audio performance. 

Now, through this collaboration with Dolby, we’re for the first time combining the world’s most sophisticated audio algorithms with the world’s most immersive content.”

Strong stuff – and Dolby isn't afraid to give us a quote either. 

“Reproducing a faithful Dolby Atmos experience in a car that translates well from the point of creation in the studio into the challenging acoustic environment of a car cabin is a lofty task,” said Andreas Ehret, automotive director at Dolby. 

“The Dirac technology is a great solution for car makers to optimize this experience. We have found that in our demo cars, the results were excellent – excellent detail, accurate staging and a well-balanced sound field in all seating positions. Dolby works hand in hand with the entire automotive supply chain to deliver an authentic entertainment experience inside the car.”

So, how can we experience it? Will it be featured in the next Audi, Bentley, BMW or Aston Martin models? Er, no. 

The first car to feature this Dolby-Dirac integrated solution will be the Nio ET7, unveiled in January 2021, which will enter the European market later in 2022 – with more to follow shortly thereafter.

The car, a high-end electric sedan boasting a 1000km range, will feature a 7.1.4 immersive sound system with Dolby Atmos as standard, comprising 23 speakers, a 20-channel amplifier boasting 1,000W total power output, four overhead speakers and a subwoofer. 

The system has four main sound channels, each with a three-way speaker containing a tweeter, a mid-range driver and a woofer. 

I emphatically want a car featuring immersive audio treatment from both Dolby Atmos and Dirac and, although the Nio ET7 should become available this side of the pond soon, I hope that soon the fruits of this exciting new relationship will roll out to cars more readily available outside of China. 

Maserati's continued relationship with sonic craftsmen Sonus faber is clearly as strong as Francesco Totti's is with Roma. Italy's finest have once again combined for the new MC20 Cielo – and this time, there's a twist. 

Maserati explains that the system’s technology has been specifically optimized (from the MC20 Coupè) to fit the unique acoustic and positioning needs of the RHT cabin, adjusting the sound based on the car’s roof positioning to ensure the driver experiences the highest quality sound – even when it's hands high on the fly by.

The premium 12-speaker Sonus faber audio system within the MC20 Cielo (which means 'sky' in Italian) actually recognises the car's roof configuration and adapts automatically, updating time-alignment, equalization and sound levels to instinctively offer the best possible performance in line with Sonus faber’s DNA and signature sound. 

This particularly high-end in-car audio system comprises two of Sonus faber's celebrated silk-dome tweeters, two midrange drivers and two woofers on the door panel, one tweeter and midrange in the center dashboard, plus two tweeters and two midrange drivers in the rear to envelop the car's (actual human) driver and optional lucky passenger in detailed surround sound.

Opinion: Maserati just unveiled the summer in-car audio system to beat

Mario Passarelli, Sonus faber’s manager of research and development explains, “In the new MC20 Cielo, we developed two different tunings which are linked to the position of the capote. In fact, when the capote is open, the cabin environment changes completely, and so does the acoustic perception of the passengers."

On how this was achieved, Passarelli added, "We adjusted multiple factors including the gain levels, timbrical balance and cross-over filters to achieve a resulting sound replicating that of a live experience when the roof is open, and an enhanced immersive experience when the roof is closed – everything strictly in line with Sonus faber’s natural sound."

Designing and implementing premium in-car sound for a soft-top (rather than a model with a rigid metal roof) throws up a number of challenges in itself, but if any high-end audio firm is up to the job it's Sonus faber. 

While we've yet to hear the luxury Italian audio specialist's newest audio creation for Maserati, even a cursory glance at our Sonus faber Omnia review shows what the company is capable of – if one is only prepared to pay for it…

• Bentley's first fully-electric car will blow your socks off

Volkswagen isn’t the only automotive manufacturer feeling the component shortage strain in 2022.

According to a report from Automotive News Europe (via 9to5 Google), BMW is temporarily shipping a selection of new vehicles without support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay after changing its chip supplier. 

The German brand says its new components are not currently compatible with either infotainment system, though it has clarified that affected models will receive an over-the-air software update correcting the issue by "the end of June at the latest."

While BMW hasn’t specified which of its vehicle ranges have been affected by the supplier switch, 9to5Google notes that any model with “6P1” in its production code won’t come equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. 

Automotive News Europe also claims that all affected vehicles were manufactured in the first four months of 2022, with destinations including the US, UK, Italy, Spain and France. By the sounds of things, then, the issue applies to various different models across the globe. 

Naturally, BMW customers have a right to be frustrated that their vehicles may not be arriving – or haven’t arrived – fully stocked with features they’ve already paid for, but it’s worth remembering why the decision has been taken by BMW in the first instance.

Unlike Volkswagen, whose ability to deliver electric vehicles on time has been thrown into chaos by the ongoing chip shortage, BMW has opted to switch component suppliers entirely in a bid to mitigate delays as much as possible. Evidently, that switch has come at the expense of immediate support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay software, but at least the brand has pledged to rectify the issue with imminent over-the-air updates. 

Drivers may also find the trade-off easier to stomach than BMW’s previous mitigation strategy – in November 2021, the company shipped a handful of new vehicles without touchscreens and other assistance features. Affected customers were given $500-worth of credit for the inconvenience.

Unfortunately, though, a lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support isn’t likely to be the end of the story for BMW and other auto manufacturers. According to Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, the global component shortage – an issue that continues to affect everything from PS5 stock to the availability of printer ink cartridges – could last until 2024.

• I'd forgotten about Android Auto games until they got me through an hour in standstill traffic 

If you own a recent Jaguar or a Land Rover there's good news, as you'll soon be able to ask Alexa to control various functions in the car on top of a host of other things.

The integration of Amazon's smart assistant will bring a range of voice-enabled functionality to Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles, including the ability to control navigation and music, manage calendars, hear the news, check the weather and control your smart home devices just by asking.

No phone will be required for Alexa to work in the vehicles either, with the system using your car's built-in connectivity to connect to the cloud.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) isn't the first automotive firm to add Alexa to its vehicles, but it likely won't be the last either, as connectivity in ours cars continues to advance.

For owners of a Jaguar or a Land Rover, your vehicle has to be equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system running version 3.0 or above, you need to be signed in to your InControl account and you'll need the Online Pack subscription. Oh, and you'll also need an Amazon account.

According to JLR, "Alexa will be made available to more than 200,000 existing owners of compatible Jaguar and Land Rover models" with the new feature arriving via an over-the-air software update.

Check on your car remotely

JLR has even developed its own Amazon Alexa skill which - when you've installed Alexa in your car - will allow those in the US and UK to check in on their car's status remotely from home.

You'll be able to ask your Echo smart speakers to lock or unlock the doors, enable climate control or check on the charge status and range of EV models.

The Pivi Pro system already supported wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, giving owners access to Siri and Google Assistant voice control in their cars, so while Alexa integration wasn't necessarily required, its inclusion will be welcome news to those embedded in the Amazon ecosystem.

• Amazon Echo Auto brings Alexa on your next road trip

Technology and software are such a huge part of the modern vehicle ownership experience that it's big news when an automaker makes a change. 

Porsche, a company far better known for its world-class sports cars, SUVs, and electric cars, just announced updates to PCM, its infotainment software. For its sixth version, Porsche Communication Management gets a new look and improved functionality for Taycan EV owners.

The system, which comes standard in the 911, Taycan, Cayenne, and Panamera, picks up new functionality and a fresh interface with the update. 

Porsche says the sixth-generation software now offers better voice recognition, Spotify integration for the first time, an updated interface with a new look, wireless Android Auto capability, and improved navigation functions for the Taycan with better charging planning functions.

PCM 6.0 integrates Spotify for the first time, which allows customers with a premium subscription to link their accounts to their vehicle using their Porsche ID. 

Spotify can then be selected as a media source to stream directly without a smartphone. 

The Spotify app gives PCM users access to music and podcasts with much of the functionality from the smartphone app, including likes, saved playlists and the new 'Go to Radio' function, which sources similar songs to the one currently playing.

Extra goodies for the Taycan

Porsche Taycan owners get better trip planning elements in the new system to help create optimized routes for travel and vehicle charging. The algorithm prioritizes high-output chargers of 150 kW and up and plans the route accordingly. 

Porsche says that the software takes the time required to start and end charging at a station into account when displaying total driving time as well. A zoom function allows users to view all available charging stations in an area and whether or not they are in use.

There's no word on whether PCM 6.0 will be made available to current Porsche owners, either via over-the-air updates or dealer service department. All new 911, Taycan, Panamera, and Cayenne models will get the software in the coming weeks. 

• Future Porsche EVs will know all about the road ahead way before you even get there

Late last year, we got the chance to see – but not drive – Toyota's new bZ4X battery-electric crossover in person. We also took the upcoming 2022 Tundra hybrid for a brief spin. 

What do these two vehicles have in common? Both feature Toyota's new infotainment system, which is also found in the 2022 Lexus NX. Considering Toyota's current infotainment system dates from the paleolithic era, this is a welcome change.

We sat down with Chris Pedregon, Communications Lead, Connected Technologies for Toyota, who walked us through the bZ4X's infotainment system. 

Instead of being spearheaded in Japan, like previous infotainment systems, this new infotainment system was developed entirely in-house by Toyota Motors North America's Connected Technologies group to "exceed customer needs and deliver amazing and personal connected experiences" according to the brand.

Standard on the new bZ4X EV 

As a quick refresher, the bZ4X is Toyota's first battery EV since the RAV4 EV compliance car back in 2014. It shares almost its entire design with Subaru's Solterra battery-electric crossover, and represents Toyota's first attempt to take battery EVs seriously after years of betting on hydrogen fuel-cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

While the bZ4X is built on a bespoke battery EV platform (e-TNGA), it looks and feels a lot like the RAV4.

In fact Toyota's making sure not to step on the toes of its best-selling ICE crossover, with the 302hp RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid still being faster, thanks to a 0-60mph sprint in 5.7 seconds. 

The bZ4X will come in two flavors: a 201hp single motor configuration (FWD) with estimated range of 311 miles (500km) and a 215hp dual motor model (AWD) with an estimated range of 286 miles (460km). Neither will reach 60mph in less than 7.5 seconds.

Both versions feature a 72KWh battery and support 150KW DC fast charging. And while the bZ4X's pricing hasn't been finalized yet, it's clearly competing more with VW's entry-level ID.4 than the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y in terms of specs and performance. 

In other words, these are baby steps for Toyota. Our brief time with the bZ4X confirmed that this EV doesn't push the envelope apart from the infotainment system.

Choose your size, all come fully connected

Toyota's new infotainment is built around completely new hardware and software. In the bZ4X, it uses a 12-inch touchscreen, but other display sizes include 8, 10, and 14 inches (Tundra and Lexus NX, depending on trim). 

Regardless of display size, you get a bright, high-resolution, glass-bonded, capacitive touchscreen, and the same quick and responsive user interface – thanks to significantly more processing power than before.

While it's unclear what kind of processing hardware Toyota is using here, connectivity is integral to this new infotainment system, with built-in WiFi and 4G support for hotspot functionality and OTA (over-the-air) software updates. 

In addition, two phones can be connected via Bluetooth simultaneously, making it easy for the driver and front passenger to seamlessly take calls or play media from their handsets – no switching required.

The home screen has been kicked out

One way this new infotainment system stands out is that it lacks a home screen. Toyota is using a "one step away" approach with a persistent vertical icon bar on the left side of the display.

It lets the user switch between various interface screens, including navigation, media, phone, car, settings, and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto (when available). This, Toyota claims, makes for a simpler and more intuitive user experience.

This new infotainment system also makes ample use of whitespace and large, legible fonts. As such, the user interface feels light and airy, making it more welcoming – though we found the color scheme a little too monochromatic and dull for our tastes.

Then again, Toyota is touting a "voice first" approach here, and believes most users will navigate this new infotainment system using the new "Hey Toyota" intelligent voice assistant.

"Hey Toyota"

First, this new "Hey Toyota" voice assistant is able to understand natural language and context. Second, it uses microphones above each front seat to determine whether the driver or front passenger is speaking. 

For example, if you say "hey Toyota, I feel like coffee", you'll get a list of nearby coffee shops to choose from. But if you say "show me the nearest charging station", you'll be offered a single location to navigate to.

In our brief time using the new infotainment system, we found this new voice assistant worked reasonably well, though it's not quite as refined as Siri or Alexa, and definitely not as advanced as Google Assistant. 

Basically, it gets the job done, but it's not nearly as sophisticated as the voice assistants we're all familiar with. Still, this intelligent voice assistant is a major upgrade, and one of the better ones we've used in a car to date.

Toyota's new infotainment system also features user profiles which allow you to carry your settings – from preferred media and radio stations to climate settings in some models – across multiple vehicles. 

User profiles live in the cloud, and can be paired with individual key fobs or digital (smartphone-based) keys via the Toyota app. You can also login to your user profile using the infotainment system directly.

Plays nice with Google, Apple and Amazon

As we previously mentioned, this new infotainment system was designed from the ground up around connectivity. It uses Google's cloud services for real-time navigation, traffic, and POI (points-of-interest), and includes an offline mode that caches this data in advance in areas of poor connectivity. 

It even inherits other features from Google Maps, like two-finger swiping for a 3D view, and ETA sharing via text message.

Other cloud services include Apple Music and Amazon Music, which are both linked to your user profile. Basically, you login to one or both music services inside the Toyota app, which then follow your user profile from vehicle to vehicle – no phone required. 

It's a pretty clever setup. Unfortunately, Spotify and YouTube Music are missing here, and it's unclear if Toyota plans to add these music services in the future.

Of course, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, FM and AM (terrestrial) radio, and SiriusXM (satellite) radio, Toyota's new infotainment system also supports wireless (and wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Ultimately, while this new infotainment system isn't breaking any major new ground, it's a huge improvement over Toyota's previous efforts. We're looking forward to spending more time with it when we review the bZ4X.

• Mercedes-Benz EQS review: effortless luxury and performance

Volvo is bringing the YouTube video player to its cars which run on Google's operating system - so yes, you'll soon be able to watch YouTube videos in your Volvo.

First things first: Safety. Volvo has a long history of safety and you'll only be able to watch YouTube videos when the car is stationary - so while you're charging your electric car, waiting for a friend, or picking up takeout. 

If you have a few minutes to kill, you'll now be able to take advantage of the large screen in the center of your Volvo's dash and catch up on some unboxing videos.

And since Volvo offers unlimited data in its cars (varies by market), you will be able to watch YouTube as long as you want for no additional charge.

Which cars are getting YouTube?

YouTube video playback will come to all Volvo cars fitted with the Android Automotive OS - and at the time of writing that's the following vehicles.

• Volvo C40 Recharge EV
• Volvo XC40 Recharge EV
• Volvo XC60 Recharge PHEV
• Volvo XC60
• Volvo V90 Recharge PHEV
• Volvo V90
• Volvo S90 Recharge PHEV
• Polestar 1
• Polestar 2

There's currently no exact release date for the YouTube app to appear in cars, a spokesperson for Volvo has told us it will be "soon (this year)" - which narrows it down to a 12 month period, so not really narrow at all.

When YouTube does become available, you'll be able to download it in the same way you currently do with the Spotify app.

There's more in the way of downloadable applications for Volvo cars on the horizon too, with the firm revealing soon you'll be able to "download navigation apps like Sygic and Flitsmeister, charging apps like Chargepoint and Plugshare, and parking apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz where available."

• Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2022 coverage. We're bringing you all the breaking tech news and launches, everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets.  

Tired of watching movies on your phone while in the car? Well, BMW may have the solution as it's revealed its 'Theatre Screen' at CES 2022, which brings a huge, flip-down, widescreen display to its cars.

The BMW Theatre Screen is a massive 31-inch, ultra-wide display affixed to the roof of a car. Designed solely for the enjoyment of the rear-seat passengers, and spanning the entire width of the cabin, it folds down when required and flips back up when done. It's the biggest screen ever for those in the back of a car.

It boasts an 8K (8000 x 2000) resolution and can display content in a variety of aspect ratios including 16:9, 21:9 and 32:9 - the last one designed to give you a cinema-like experience. 

Amazon Fire TV is built-in, giving viewers access to a wide range of streaming services. And with 128GB of local storage, you can pre-download movies and TV shows to watch when you're on the move. The Fire TV integration works in the same way as a Fire TV stick would in your home.

However, the Theatre Screen can also benefit from the vehicle's 5G connectivity, which means in areas of strong signal you'll be able to stream content live (and get updates for the Fire TV integration) while in motion.

Your 'private cinema lounge'

The screen is touch-enabled, but there are also touch controls on each of the rear doors, giving passengers a choice of how they want to interact with the display.

There's support for dual wired or wireless headphones too, allowing the rear-seat passengers to enjoy what’s on-screen, without disturbing the driver.

If you're parked up and don't fancy wearing headphones, the package also comes with a 4D Diamond surround sound system from Bowers & Wilkins

It's not just the display giving you that cinematic experience, however, as BMW's 'My Mode Theatre' setting will adjust the lighting and window blinds to give you a 'private cinema lounge'.

Is it safe?

Unsurprisingly, a screen that spans the width of the car and folds down from the roof will block the driver's view out the rear window.

While BMW could implement a digital rear view mirror, it's not something it's considering at this point. As far as BMW is concerned, the Theatre Screen won't be used at all times, and when it is in use the visibility out the back is no different to towing a trailer or caravan.

In a press briefing that TechRadar attended, a BMW spokesperson noted that the driver can still make use of the side mirrors and blind-spot indicators. Plus there will be a rear camera for reversing.

What's more, the driver can also control the Theatre Screen and will be able to fold it back up to the roof if required.

The Theatre Screen implementation BMW is showing off at CES 2022 is only a prototype, which means it's not available yet for consumers - but we're told it's very close to a production version. 

We shouldn't have to wait too long before we start seeing Theatre Screen as an option on some BMW models.

• Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2022 coverage. We're bringing you all the breaking tech news and launches, everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets.  

Step into a car with any modern phone and you can instantly tether your device to play music, answer calls via Bluetooth, and more. Step into a car with any phone that supports Android Auto and you can do a lot more … after you pull that USB cord out of the glovebox, connect the phone, and push a few buttons on your car’s system.

There’s a better way, of course: Google announced wireless Android Auto back in April 2018, a way to bypass the cable and connect directly. But doing so requires more bandwidth than the lowly trickle that is Bluetooth – it requires Wi-Fi speeds. And cars have been slow to adopt it. Visit the Android Auto website and Google simply says that “an increasing number of makes and models of vehicles and phones support wireless connections to Android Auto.”

In contrast, over 500 models supporting Android Auto itself are listed.

That’s why Motorola and its hardware partner SGW Global announced the Motorola MA1 at CES 2022. This wireless dongle makes it simple to connect and share location data, media, messaging, and more.

“Motorola strives to simplify our customers’ lives through innovative technology that seamlessly integrates into everyday life,“ said Dave Carroll, Executive Director Strategic Brand Partnerships at Motorola. “The Motorola MA1 eliminates the need to plug your phone into your car’s infotainment system every time you get in your car, allowing for easy access to your favorite navigation apps.”

Rather than wait for automakers to unveil the technology, a handful of Kickstarter projects have launched similar dongles over the past few years, and smaller makers have released products, such as the Carsifi dongle. You can install a third-party head unit in your car as well, such as the Kenwood Excelon DMX905S. Motorola is the first major brand to release such a product, however.

Available January 28 for $89.95, the dongle looks like your average USB-connected Oreo: a disc with a tail, in other words. (The box also includes a 'Jel Pad' to secure the dongle in your car.) 

Leave it plugged into your car and you'll link up seamlessly every time you step foot in the vehicle. That's because Motorola's MA1 supports fast, 5GHz Wi-Fi connections to pump all the data from your phone right over to your car's console. Super!

TechRadar has yet to test the product; we will update this post after we've had a chance to try out the MA1.

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We're here to steer you towards the very best cheap sat nav sales. Our price comparison tools below displays the latest buying options for the best sat nav deals on a selection of the best-selling models out there. 

A new sat nav can give your car an instant upgrade. If you have an older vehicle, the right sat nav can bring it right up to date. Today's budget sat navs are more accurate than DVD-based sat-navs that cost thousands of pounds just a few years ago. Many modern sat navs deliver hands-free calls as well, making driving safer for cars without that feature built in.

It's worth bearing in mind that not all cheap sat navs are created equal. Features like live traffic updates might cost a little more, but could make a world of difference if you often find yourself stuck in a jam.

The latest cheap sat nav sales

The big attraction here is lifetime mapping and live traffic information, but it’s an impressive device too. There’s a five-inch, dual-orientation touchscreen with pinch to zoom display, customizable driver alerts to warn you about hazards such as sharp curves or school zones, smartphone notifications, hands-free control and Bluetooth integration for hands-free calling. Voice control can be a little flaky but the phone integration is very good. Like all Garmin sat-nav devices, the directions take a plain-English approach, suggesting you turn after specific landmarks rather than just telling you how far it is before the next direction change.

The DriveAssist takes the DriveSmart 50 as a template and adds a bunch of stuff to it. There’s a dash camera, which records your trips and provides useful evidence if you hit or are hit by another vehicle, and there’s accident avoidance technology too. It doesn’t actually do anything to your car, but it attempts to warn you if you’re drifting towards the other lane or if you’re maybe getting a little close to tailgating the car in front. Whether that’s a good thing depends on how you like your driver assistance: for some it’s a little too noisy.

This is pricier than most, but it does more than most. You get lifetime maps for the whole world and lifetime updates on speed camera locations, lifetime traffic data via your smartphone and Wi-Fi software and map updating, hands-free calling, smartphone notifications and a free horse. We’re lying about the horse, but you do get a nifty magnetic mount and a six-inch capacitive touchscreen. It’s a very impressive device with 3D buildings in cities, coverage of most of the planet (although if you’re going to Ukraine, you’re only covered 65% of the time) and a huge range of supported languages. The free traffic camera service means it a very attractive long-term investment.

The TomTom Via 62 is an excellent all-rounder. It connects to your phone for hands-free calling but also to contact TomTom’s traffic servers, which is a big plus - but it does mean that your phone can’t connect to your car’s own system, so if you prefer to stream music to your car stereo or use its hands-free calling then this might not be the nav for you. The 6-inch display is resistive rather than capacitive (you don't have to apply as much pressure on capacitive screens) but it works well enough and provides crisp, clear maps. It’s not the kind of device to make the heart sing but it gets you where you want to go with the minimum of fuss. Not currently available in the US.

The Start is a little pricey in its US incarnation but in the UK it’s a strong contender in the sub-£100 sector. There’s no live traffic data, which may be a restriction too far for some, but it’s straightforward enough with a clear display, good directions and fast startup time. The resistive screen isn’t as nice as more expensive devices’ capacitive ones, but it works fine and you get lifetime map updates that’ll keep it current for years to come. It’s not spectacular but it’s solid enough - although it’s wise to track the price of the Via 62, which does have life traffic information and which is often discounted so it costs the same as the 52.

More cheap sat nav deals:

Not quite found what you're looking for in the list above? Not to worry, here's a list of retailers known to stock some decent cheap sat nav deals.

• Amazon - US
• Walmart - US
• Jet - US
• Amazon - UK
• Currys - UK
• Argos - UK
  

LG and Renault are hoping to improve on in-car infotainment woes with a new In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system based on Google Android Automotive. 

In-car technology has reached a point of full saturation, but it's not always a positive experience for vehicle owners.

Most new cars come with touchscreen infotainment systems and a variety of connectivity options, but proprietary interfaces and confusing designs can make for a frustrating drive.

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LG developed the IVI system in partnership with Renault, and it is the first Android 10-based software to be certified by Google Automotive Services. 

IVI brings several connected services and advanced functionality that includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play directly on-scree - without the need to link your smartphone to the car. 

LG says that its Human Machine Interface (HMI) gives the system an intuitive and convenient user experience.

System to debut on Renault's fully electric car

The system is also the first to use LG's Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). SAFe allows the infotainment system and software behind it to operate independently from the rest of the vehicle's hardware. 

That separation gives LG and the automaker more flexibility to update and enhance the systems via over-the air (OTA) updates, as well as the ability to remotely monitor vehicle charging status.

The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric will debut LG's new infotainment system when it arrives in 2022, with the fully-electric small crossover featuring a 60kWh battery and a 292-mile WLTP-estimated driving range. 

Renault says the Megane E-Tech Electric will offer up to 220 horsepower and a 0-62 mph time of 7.4 seconds. 

The E-Tech merges its infotainment and gauge cluster systems into one combined unit with various vehicle functions and controls available with a tap of the driver's finger.

It's unclear when or if IVI will make its way into other automakers' vehicles, but LG is focused on growing its presence as an automotive supply and design entity. 

Beyond infotainment software, LG has a joint powertrain-development venture with Magna International, and recently acquired ZKW Group, a lighting and headlight maker.

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Mercedes-Benz has spent nearly a century establishing itself as one of the most exclusive names in the auto industry – but the brand is preparing to turn up the volume on its luxury label even further.

The German carmaker has announced plans to introduce Dolby Atmos in a range of its top-end models from next year, beginning with the Mercedes-Maybach and S-Class.

Mercedes says its in-car Dolby Atmos experience will transform these vehicles into "state-of-the-art concert halls on wheels" by integrating the technology with its already optional Burmester 4D and 3D sound systems.

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Made up of – wait for it – 31 loudspeakers and eight sound transducers (also known as exciters), this Atmos-enhanced Burmester system will offer drivers an "unprecedented sound experience" to make it seem as though their vehicle "is almost like a live concert," said Mercedes executive Britta Seeger in a statement.

Check out Mercedes' reveal of the partnership below.

Dolby Atmos technology – which adds more space, clarity and depth to music – is popular right now, implemented in everything from the best soundbars to the best TVs, but Mercedes' partnership with the audio giant marks one of the rare times we've seen it introduced into cars. 

It's not the very first instance, though – that honor went to the equally-luxurious Lucid Air – but the brand's unique combination of Dolby Atmos with its existing Burmester sound system should ensure that Mercedes sits top of the pile when it comes to offering drivers the finest audio experience possible.

John Couling, a senior executive at Dolby Laboratories, said: "At Dolby, we are passionate about extending the Dolby Atmos Music experience so that consumers can enjoy it anywhere, and Mercedes-Benz shares our vision.

"The integration of Dolby Atmos into the S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach will offer an additional superior feature to customers, whether they are in the driving seat or a passenger," Couling added.

The Dolby Atmos-enhanced Mercedes-Maybach will be available starting summer 2022, while the system will be offered in other models equipped with the new MBUX system, which is being introduced with the new Mercedes S-Class later next year.

As for how much the option will cost, Mercedes hasn’t disclosed a figure just yet, but given that the Burmester-fitted Maybach already sits at around $190,000 / £130,000 / AU$245,000, we'd anticipated a further four-digit hike on an already eye-watering price tag. 

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that the automaker’s driver safety testing system “will be refined continuously until it is an extremely good predictor of crash probability” – which could be a game-changer for the car insurance industry.

At present, the system awards Tesla drivers a score between 0-100 that reflects how safely they operate their car over a given period, a figure which is then used to determine whether a driver qualifies for certain software updates. 

For instance, a recent major software update to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Mode (FSD) – a system which allows a vehicle to maneuver around other objects and onto highway ramps without the need for driver intervention – was only distributed to around 1,000 Tesla owners “with perfect 100/100 safety scores.” 

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Musk also suggested that “further refinements” were “definitely” coming to the company’s safety scoring system – which is still in early beta stage – in response to a tweet asking whether this would be “the same [...] system used for Tesla insurance.” 

In its current state, the system uses five metrics, called Safety Factors, to calculate the likelihood that a Tesla owner's driving could result in a future collision. Most drivers are expected to have a Safety Score of 80 or above, according to the company.

Tesla currently only offers insurance packages to vehicle owners in California, though it plans to expand the service to Texas in October and then “aspirationally” to “most of the US” by the end of 2021.

Right now, the automaker claims that its rates are “up to 30% cheaper” than the competition, though Musk’s comments suggest its fledgling safety scoring system could play a major part in determining what premiums its customers can expect to pay when the service does roll out en masse – presumably, the better a driver’s safety score, the cheaper their insurance.

A fairer system?

Of course, this isn’t an entirely new system. For years, insurance companies have fitted so-called ‘black box’ systems to vehicles as a means of monitoring driver behaviour – a method often used to promote the safety of younger drivers. 

But Musk seems to be suggesting that his company’s in-built safety scoring system – which, as mentioned, is currently being used as a measure of update eligibility – might double as a ‘black box’ system as Tesla’s insurance division grows.

If so, the move might encourage the implementation of similar systems in vehicles produced by rival automakers in an effort to eliminate the need for insurance companies entirely. 

If the manufacturer of a car can offer its customers accurate insurance premiums based on the safety of their driving behaviour – or “crash probability,” as Musk puts it – why would those customers shop elsewhere for the same cover?

This is, of course, all merely speculative at this point – but Musk’s comments nonetheless allude to a simpler, hassle-free and fairer future of car insurance.

• Tesla’s new in-car gaming system is basically a mini PS5

Google has a new Android Auto update packed with features for the in-car system, including the ability to play games on your vehicle's infotainment display.

The search giant is using its own developer, Game Snacks - which came out of its Area 120 in-house incubator - to bring a number of games into your car.

You'll need to put your vehicle in park before you'll be allowed to access the games, but the addition could be particularly popular with electric car owners as it gives them something to play while they wait for their car to charge.

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The visualization of the game integration on Google's blog shows eight games will be available to play; ZooBoom, Onet Connect Classic, Cannonballs 3D, Pin the UFO, 2048 Giant, Find 500 Differences, Unblock That and Bubble Words.

That's just a handful of over 100 games available on the Game Snacks website though, so there's a chance more could be added to Android Auto in the future.

A word of warning though - your phone will need an internet connection to play, so if you find yourself deep in a parking garage with no cell reception the games may not work.

This isn't the first time we've heard of the Game Snacks integration with Android Auto, as it appeared in a beta version of the platform back in July, but it's now being made available officially.

Pay for gas using your voice and Android Auto

Another new feature in this Android Auto update allows you to pay for fuel using just your voice, with no need to get a credit card out.

All you'll need to do is arrive at the pump, say "Hey Google, pay for gas", select the pump number on screen and complete the contactless payment using Google Pay.

It will only be available in the US initially (and compatible with handsets running Android 10 and above), with over 32,500 gas stations supporting Android Auto's voice payment, including pumps supplied by Exxon and Mobil, Conoco, Phillips 66 and 76.

The new version of Android Auto will also use Google's Assistant to recommend you music, news and podcasts it thinks you'll like, plus the ability to select which app opens by default when you connect your phone to your car.

And finally, the update also includes support for dual-SIM phones, allowing you to pick which one to make calls from, plus Android Auto will also support Work profiles, giving you access to meetings and messages.

The update will fully roll out in the next few weeks for Android phones in English (US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, India, Singapore and UK), German, Spanish (Spain, Mexico), French and Italian.

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Isn't it annoying having to input a destination address into your car's sat nav via its full, on-screen QWERTY keyboard, or manually skipping the current track blasting through the stereo via the highly-convenient on-wheel button?

Imagine if you could just think about where you wanted to go, or how you'd rather the current song not be playing, and your car would do the rest. Well, that's what Mercedes is showing off at the IAA Mobility 2021 show in Munich, Germany. 

The German firm has incorporated brain-computer interfaces (BCI) into its Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car, and visitors to the IAA Mobility 2021 show will be able to try the mind-control feature in person.

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The Vision AVTR was first unveiled at CES 2020 where Mercedes revealed the concept was able to recognize drivers by their heartbeat and breathing patterns, but the inclusion of mind-control is a new addition.

Just think it

The technology, as it currently stands, requires the user to wear a BCI device with wearable electrodes on the back of their head, which reads brain waves which can then be translated into actions for the vehicle.

Mercedes says that "after a short calibration process" of around one minute, anyone will be able to perform certain functions inside the car using their thoughts.

Users have to focus on particular light points on the digital dash, and the system determines which one it's being focused on via the BCI device, triggering a preset function.

Mercedes details the system in some more detail; "The BCI device measures the neuronal activity at the cortex in real time. It analyses the measured brain waves and recognizes on which light points the user directs [their] focus and full attention (attention-sensing interface). 

"The stronger the focus, the higher the neuronal activity. The device then triggers the targeted function in the vehicle."

While there may be a working concept that people can try out, Mercedes is clear that the technology won't find its way into consumer vehicles anytime soon.

It says mind-control features "will not be available in everyday life tomorrow. But they are no longer science fiction either."

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The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a luxury all-electric flagship sedan that showcases ultra-modern styling, awe-inspiring tech, and breathtaking performance. 

The car will also be available with a passenger-side display in its dash, and when equipped with this feature can be upgraded with subscription-based games that include Tetris, Sudoku, and more (via Motor1).

Let's sidestep the topic of distracted driving and focus on this as an overall concept for a moment. 

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There's a great chance that you have something similar to this functionality running on your smartphone. 

In fact, mobile app developers are the absolute pros at building software that users just "rent" for a period of time and pay to use additional features.

A new era

Automakers are somewhat new to this arena, but already have a rocky relationship with pay-to-use functionality. 

Just a couple years ago, BMW tried to implement a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, but experienced so much blowback from its customers and the press that it quickly rolled back that decision. 

It's also important to note that the decision to include subscription software services in the EQS is not Mercedes' first for the car. 

Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the automaker would hold the car's full ten-degree rear-wheel steering option for buyers that opted to pay, either up front or monthly, for the function. Those that don't will only see 4.5 degrees of rear-wheel steering.

An uncertain future

The move toward more subscription services in vehicles is an interesting one, and is likely a trend that will grow as more new models adopt over-the-air updates to keep vehicle software and functionality fresh. 

Fun features such as games and even useful functions like added navigation search abilities and the like are probably the best way to slide subscriptions into the auto industry, but more baseline functionality like Apple CarPlay is where consumers seem to draw the line. 

The jury is still out on how the market will react to Mercedes' rear-wheel steering subscriptions, but we think that the only party benefitting from a subscription model for physical vehicle features like rear-wheel steering is the automaker.

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Tesla electric cars are just about the most technologically-advanced consumer vehicles on the road. So it makes sense for them to have the most fully-featured entertainment systems, too.

Elon Musk’s car firm has now added Disney Plus streaming to its in-car entertainment system via a new software update, letting you watch Marvel movie classics or new releases like Jungle Cruise while on the road.

Tesla’s Theatre Mode, for obvious safety reasons, only lets you watch while the car is stationary, so it’s not much help on a super-long drive. But if you’re parked up and recharging the vehicle’s battery, you can also enjoy streams from Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and Twitch, too.

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That's not all, though

As well as an entertainment boost, the new update (number ‘2021.24’) introduces a carwash mode that seals the vehicle in case of any unwanted water entering its delicate insides, auto-dimming for mirrors, better battery informations, additional language options and the ability to connect to a Wi-Fi connection whilst driving – presumably to take advantage of the growing amount of 5G mobile dongles hitting the market.

It’s been a great year for Disney Plus, which has benefited from the stay-at-home pandemic to see its global subscriber number hit more than 100 million in its first 18 months on the market.

But being able to watch classic and new releases alike, on the road or not, hasn’t been plain sailing for Disney. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic it chose to release select films as home releases, or simultaneously with their cinema runs. 

This has lead to consternation from the cinema industry, as well as Hollywood’s biggest stars themselves – Scarlett Johansson, star of Disney Plus release Black Widow, is even suing Disney for potential loss of earnings due to the film’s streaming availability.

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Elon Musk has always been one for bold claims, but maybe the ability to play AAA games in Tesla vehicles wasn’t merely a pipe dream, after all.

At AMD’s Computex 2021 keynote, the chipmaker confirmed that the latest generation of Tesla’s infotainment system – arriving in both the new Tesla Model S and X – is powered by an AMD Ryzen processor and AMD RDNA 2 GPU. 

Those internals suggest Musk’s in-car gaming rig is capable of providing up to 10 teraflops of computing power – which isn’t far off the figure boasted by Sony’s PS5. 

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AMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed the new Tesla models “will have an AMD Ryzen APU powering the infotainment system [...] as well as a discrete RDNA 2-based GPU that kicks in when running AAA games,” adding that the company “look[s] forward to giving gamers a great platform for AAA gaming.”

We’ve previously reported on leaked documents (posted by leaker Patrick Shur) which suggested Tesla planned to use an AMD Navi 23 GPU to power its infotainment systems. That speculation now seems to have been corroborated by the appearance of the same GPU at AMD’s recent keynote, revealed to be powering the company’s newest 6600M laptop graphics cards. 

Now, we’re not suggesting Tesla’s in-car gaming system will match the PS5 for performance, but both use largely the same technology under the hood, save for a smaller number of cores in the Tesla system (28 to the PS5’s 36). 

The AMD Navi 23 GPU in the former also boasts 1792 shader units (processors within the graphics card responsible for processing different aspects of an image) to the PS5’s 2304 – so we’re talking small margins here. For comparison, the PS4 came equipped with 1152 equivalent units. 

We do, therefore, expect new Tesla owners to be able to play power-hungry games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla from the comfort of their heated car seats. 

Could these games also be playable with ray tracing enabled? We know AMD’s latest GPUs are capable of the rendering method, and this would mark an immense graphical leap from the Intel-powered indie titles currently limited to the Tesla Arcade games library.

Temper expectations

The news isn’t all exciting for prospective Tesla owners-cum-car-gamers, though. 

A Tesla employee recently shared a job posting on Twitter suggesting the company is “looking for Linux game developers” to work on software for the company’s latest hardware, which is a pretty conclusive sign that Tesla’s new in-car gaming rig may run games built for Linux. 

So, while 10 teraflops of performance is a mightily impressive figure for what is essentially a games console for a car, less-than-impressive Linux ports on Google Stadia have ensured our expectations are tempered when it comes to the framerate and graphical fidelity we anticipate from AAA titles running in a Tesla vehicle.

In any case, with the Tesla Model S Plaid set to start deliveries on June 10, we’ll have a better idea of what the system is capable of very soon.

• This year, Computex is going virtual, but we'll still be bringing you all the breaking computing news and launches as they happen, so make sure you check out all of TechRadar's Computex 2021 coverage.

Via The Verge 

Talk of an experimental car-based, Spotify-playing speaker has been circulating for several years now, but it seems as though the mystery gadget has been given a major design refresh – and might actually be going on sale soon.

A new "Bluetooth Phone Accessory" has shown up in filings placed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US, a necessary step for new gadgets that need official approval to be marked as safe for use.

Further into the documentation we get a description too: this is "a voice controlled accessory for phone/Spotify App with supporting display and buttons". That sounds very much like the Car Thing that appeared back in 2019.

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While Spotify has previously acknowledged the existence of the Car Thing, up to this point it has said the device was intended to help with research and wouldn't be going on sale. That's the line it's continuing with, as per a statement made to The Verge.

The images that come with the FCC filing look significantly different to the Car Thing gadget that we got a glimpse of a couple of years ago. The screen is now much bigger, and the large dial control has been moved to one of the corners.

That fits trends in the car industry as a whole of course – vehicle manufacturers are moving towards bigger and bigger digital infotainment systems to keep you entertained on your journey (as well as providing essential details such as your current speed).

We can't see from the photos what the software is going to look like, or how the device previously known as Car Thing might work when you set it up, however. FCC approval doesn't necessarily mean Spotify is ready to make the device available to everyone, but it did tell The Verge that "we're always testing and seeking feedback from our users before rolling out new features or products broadly".

What we do know is that Spotify is actively pushing into the world of podcasts to go alongside everything it offers with music streaming – and it's possible that this piece of in-car hardware is intended to get even more people listening to podcasts on Spotify.

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We spend lots of time behind the wheel, and Garmin wants to help us make the most of it. Its incredible DriveSmart sat nav systems don't just deliver the most up-to-date maps for the UK and Europe, they constantly track the traffic to help you steer clear of congestion, and they're road trip ready thanks to integrated TripAdvisor reviews and Foursquare points of interest.

That's not all. They can bring hands-free calling to any car, and some models even enable you to take Alexa on your trips. With Alexa you can get personalised news and weather, check on your calendar and even make sure the heating's on when you get home.

In addition to their legendary sat navs, Garmin also makes a range of innovative dash cams with automatic recording, ultra-wide fields of view and in some models, GPS data too. 

Like their sat nav siblings, they're part of Garmin's mission to make every drive simpler, safer and more enjoyable.

Simplify your drive

Garmin's DriveSmart sat navs were designed to simplify every drive. Take the superb DriveSmart 55 & 65, for example. Their big, bright 5.5-inch and 6.95-inch screens deliver crisp, clear views of their detailed maps, and voice alerts may warn you of potential problems on the road ahead.

The DriveSmart 55 and 65 come with live traffic information that's constantly updated to give you the best guidance, and they're also road trip ready thanks to integrated TripAdvisor ratings and millions of Foursquare points of interest. 

They can connect to your phone for effortless hands-free calling, and Garmin's Voice Assistant means you never have to take your hands off the wheel. And in a really nice touch, all models have built-in Wi-Fi so you can wirelessly update their maps and software, no computer required.

The DriveSmart 55 comes in two versions, one for the UK and Ireland and one for the whole of Europe. The DriveSmart 65 comes with a full Europe map.

The ultimate hands-free experience

Make the most of your time on the move with Garmin's DriveSmart 65 with Amazon Alexa built in. 

It plays your music*, of course, but it can do much more: Alexa can tell you what's on your agenda for the day, updating you as you drive, and you can ask her to create reminders or task lists while you keep your eyes on the road. 

Alexa can also bring you personalised news and weather reports, and you can make sure you get a warm welcome when you arrive home by taking advantage of Alexa's superb smart home integration**. 

And with TripAdvisor reviews and Foursquare points of interest built in too, you can ask Garmin to find you the best, most useful and most interesting places to stop along your route.

The DriveSmart 65 sounds fantastic, and it looks brilliant too. You've never seen a better-looking screen in a car – all 6.95 inches of it.

The discreet dash cams that don't miss a thing

Dash cams have become really important on today’s increasingly busy and bad-tempered roads, and they’ve been valuable in fighting car crime too***. Garmin's Dash Cam Mini is as small as a car key but delivers superb video quality; just mount it discreetly behind your rear view mirror and let it do its job.

If you're looking for a dash cam that sees everything, you'll love the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem. Its two 180-degree lenses work in tandem to provide complete 360-degree coverage all around you, day or night.

Garmin has a Dash Cam for every kind of car and every kind of driver. The collection also includes the mighty yet compact Garmin Dash Cam 46/56/66W models, which combine extra-wide vision (140 degrees with the 46 and 56, and 180 degrees in the 66W) with HD video and GPS tracking.

Why Garmin is the perfect passenger

Garmin products are made by engineers, not marketers, and the devices they make are designed to do specific jobs brilliantly. 

These aren't jack-of-all-trades devices where navigation is just another app. They've been designed from the ground up to deliver the features drivers demand, and to make every trip simpler, safer and more enjoyable too.

You can find out more about Garmin's sat navs and dash cams here.

*Drivers should focus on driving and only use this function when safe to do so. The Garmin Drive app must be open and running on the user’s smartphone in order for the Alexa functionality to work and for access to live services.

**Customise features, and explore thousands of skills in the Alexa app. Some skills require linking to your Amazon account; smart home devices sold separately.

***Some countries regulate or prohibit use of dash cam devices; it is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.

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Active noise cancellation in headphones is well known, as outside sounds are reduced so you can focus on the audio you're playing back - and now this technology has made its way into cars.

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed that it's built what it's calling Active Road Noise Cancellation into three of its vehicles, and claims it can reduce fatiguing road sounds by up to 10dB.

The technology can apparently dampen 'unwanted noise peaks' by up to 10dB, while JLR claims overall noise levels are reduced by 3-4dB.

While the change in decibel levels is pretty small, the technology takes data from sensors on each wheel which "constantly monitor the vibrations from the road surface and calculates the opposite phase sound wave needed to remove the noise heard by the occupants."

With this real-time monitoring, the technology - developed by Silentium - can remove or isolate unexpected noises from potholes or rough surfaces.

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Available now, in three vehicles

The cancelling sound is played through the vehicle's sound system, to reduce the obvious noise caused by the road surface for the driver and passengers.

The system is also able to detect how many passengers are in the car, and adjust the cancelling playback levels through the various speakers for the most effective results.

With a reduction in road sound, driving should become less tiring on long journeys, which should make traveling more enjoyable, not to mention safer.

This isn't the first time we've heard about in-car noise cancellation. Audio specialist Bose announced its own solution back at the start of 2019, but its technology isn't expected to be available in cars until the end of 2021.

JLR's tech is available now, although only in three cars initially; the new Jaguar F-Pace, Jaguar XF and Range Rover Velar. Just how well this technology works remains to be seen, but we've contacted JLR to arrange a test.

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The much-hyped Tesla Battery Day live stream is about to go from 0 to 60, with Elon Musk highlighting new advancements and manufacturing goals for 2021 and beyond. It'll also have a shareholders meeting.

Tesla frequently bundles investor meetings with public announcements, such as its Autonomy Day live stream last year showing off new self-driving Teslas. Today, all signs (and Musk tweets) point to Tesla announcing its own in-house battery production, as well as potential advancements in battery technology.

Want to see the potential future of Tesla battery tech in its cars? Then read on for how to watch the Tesla Battery Day live stream video in time for the breaking news.

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How to watch the Battery Day 2020 livestream

Today, September 22, Tesla's Annual Meeting of Stockholders will begin at 1:30pm PDT / 4:30pm EDT / 9:30pm BST. Shareholders will have access to a private stream that allows them to vote and submit questions, while the public will also be able to watch the meeting.

At the conclusion of the stockholders meeting, the Tesla Battery Day live stream will immediately proceed into the Battery Day festivities on the same live video feed.

You can find the embedded link to Tesla's livestream on Tesla's site, or in the embedded video below. If you happen to own Tesla stock and have an invite code, you can access the private livestream at this link.

Unfortunately, Tesla has not made clear how long the stockholders' meeting will take, so those who are only interested in Battery Day announcements will need to keep the livestream open and wait for the switch. 

Battery Day and shareholders' meeting: what to expect

In the weeks leading up to Battery Day, Elon Musk has dropped several hints about what to expect, while leaks from Tesla employees have revealed other potential innovations that could make an appearance during the event.

To start, Elon Musk has explicitly promised updates on future production goals for the Tesla Roadster sports car, the Tesla Semi truck, and the infamous Tesla Cybertruck.

In the same Twitter thread, Musk hinted that to meet battery cell demands for its cars, Tesla would need to both increase its battery purchases and "take action ourselves". This strongly suggests that Tesla and Musk will reveal plans to manufacture car batteries internally during today's event.

This ties into a leak from Electrek, which claims to have discovered a prototype battery cell developed by Tesla as part of a "secret 'Roadrunner' project" based in Fremont. 

Allegedly, these new battery cells are twice as long in diameter as the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, and could provide a boost in mileage efficiency between charges.

Elon Musk has only fueled such rumors by speculating publicly about the trajectory of battery improvements over the next few years. 

In response to a tweet speculating about the possibility of electric flight vehicles, Musk predicted that in "3 to 4 years", batteries with a 400 Wh/Kg capacity would be "produced in volume", which would basically double the capacity of currently available commercial batteries.

Tesla could also bring up its giant home batteries during the event. These cost upwards of $10,000 to install but allegedly saved one Australian family nearly $6,000 in electricity bills over four years. It's possible that Tesla could announce plans to expand its solar energy business.

While Tesla Battery Day will focus on such developments, the annual shareholders meeting could touch on a wide range of Tesla-related topics. You'll have to tune in at 1:30pm PDT to find out more.

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