Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google has just promoted Android Auto 13.3 to the stable channel, only a few days after the same build landed in the beta program.
Theoretically, the fast release cycle should be a sign that everything worked flawlessly in the beta phase and no big bugs were found. Eventually, Android Auto 13.3 should provide users with a flawless experience.
The rollout is currently in the early hours on the Google Play Store, and considering Google's phased release model, not everybody receives it today. However, if you don't want to wait, you can download the Android Auto 13.3 stable build and sideload it on your device manually.
The next obvious question is what's included in this update.
As per its super-frustrating approach, Google doesn't share release information for new Android Auto updates. This means users typically have to install these updates and inspect everything thoroughly to determine if something has changed in the app.
However, this time, we do know that Android Auto 13.3 paves the way for the introduction of a new feature called Car Media that will offer access to media options bundled by default with the vehicle's infotainment system.
Listening to radio stations and playing content stored on USB media is only possible from the native infotainment software in the car. This means users must leave the Android Auto interface and access the vehicle's media apps to listen to AM/FM radio or play content from USB removable media plugged into the USB port (such as a standard USB flash drive or larger storage devices, such as USB hard drives).
When this new feature is ready, users will be able to listen to radio stations and play USB media directly from Android Auto. Version 13.3 includes evidence of the categories that Android Auto will offer when Car Media is ready for launch. Android Auto will group everything under typical categories like pop, hip-hop, and oldies. The application will pull radio station information automatically (the vehicle can already do this when you add a new station to your list), but these categories could also help manage content stored on USB media.
Car Media could become a built-in media player offering capabilities currently bundled with third-party apps, but the complete feature lineup is yet to be determined. It's unclear when Google wants to launch the new feature, but Android Auto 13.3 includes evidence that the development process is making good progress.
Android Auto 13.3 could also include bug fixes for some of the most recent issues, including for calls broken for some users. Make sure you drop a comment in the box after the jump if you notice something new, including in terms of bug fixes.
The full build number for the new update is 13.3.6446.
The rollout is currently in the early hours on the Google Play Store, and considering Google's phased release model, not everybody receives it today. However, if you don't want to wait, you can download the Android Auto 13.3 stable build and sideload it on your device manually.
The next obvious question is what's included in this update.
As per its super-frustrating approach, Google doesn't share release information for new Android Auto updates. This means users typically have to install these updates and inspect everything thoroughly to determine if something has changed in the app.
However, this time, we do know that Android Auto 13.3 paves the way for the introduction of a new feature called Car Media that will offer access to media options bundled by default with the vehicle's infotainment system.
Listening to radio stations and playing content stored on USB media is only possible from the native infotainment software in the car. This means users must leave the Android Auto interface and access the vehicle's media apps to listen to AM/FM radio or play content from USB removable media plugged into the USB port (such as a standard USB flash drive or larger storage devices, such as USB hard drives).
When this new feature is ready, users will be able to listen to radio stations and play USB media directly from Android Auto. Version 13.3 includes evidence of the categories that Android Auto will offer when Car Media is ready for launch. Android Auto will group everything under typical categories like pop, hip-hop, and oldies. The application will pull radio station information automatically (the vehicle can already do this when you add a new station to your list), but these categories could also help manage content stored on USB media.
Car Media could become a built-in media player offering capabilities currently bundled with third-party apps, but the complete feature lineup is yet to be determined. It's unclear when Google wants to launch the new feature, but Android Auto 13.3 includes evidence that the development process is making good progress.
Android Auto 13.3 could also include bug fixes for some of the most recent issues, including for calls broken for some users. Make sure you drop a comment in the box after the jump if you notice something new, including in terms of bug fixes.
The full build number for the new update is 13.3.6446.
Google News