XDA: Android Auto 5.8 prepares to let you change the wallpaper and tests Google Assistant shortcuts

mardi 10 novembre 2020

Android Auto 5.8 prepares to let you change the wallpaper and tests Google Assistant shortcuts

Android Auto currently doesn’t allow users to change the system’s wallpaper, and the only way to do so is to have root access. That’s not exactly the most accessible solution for most users, which is why we’re happy to report there will soon be a much easier way.

According to strings of code in Android Auto version 5.8.604354, it looks like Google is preparing to introduce a small amount of customization in a future update. Users will seemingly have the option to choose from a handful of pre-made wallpapers, which it must be said all look fantastic. It’s unclear if users will be able to set a custom background, like a picture from their phone.

Here are the strings of code we uncovered:

<string name=”custom_wallpaper_selection_title”>Wallpaper selection</string>

<string name=”settings_choose_wallpaper”>Choose wallpaper</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_black”>Black</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_blobs”>Blobs</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_default”>Mountains</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_droplets”>Droplets</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_dusk”>Dusk</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_warp”>Warp</string>

<string name=”wallpaper_title_wave”>Wave</string>

Many of the options are dark and moody, conveying an abstract aesthetic that goes well with Android Auto’s design. They don’t have the most creative names, but you get the idea. My personal favorite is “Blobs,” and I also really like “Dusk.”

While the backgrounds add a bit of color, you should still be able to see app icons, media controls, and more just fine, but now there will be an added layer of style. Apple recently added wallpapers to its CarPlay platform, allowing users to choose from a handful of pre-made options.

With evidence suggesting Google is preparing to add wallpapers to Android Auto, hopefully we’ll see an update with the option soon. For now, you can download the wallpapers yourself and decide which one you want to use once the feature is finally available.

The addition of wallpapers isn’t the only new feature seemingly coming to Android Auto version 5.8.

Earlier, we analyzed Android Auto version 5.7 and found that Google was preparing to add support for letting you add a shortcut to a Google Assistant command in Android Auto. In Android Auto version 5.8, we managed to get this feature working.

In Settings > Customize launcher, we surfaced a new “Add a shortcut to the launcher” option up top that lets you add a shortcut to call a contact or trigger an Assistant action. The feature adds convenience to Android Auto and makes the platform feel a little more like an extension of your smartphone, rather than a completely different system.