Android Auto's big 2026 makeover is Gemini at its most practical

Key points

• At the Android Show: I/O Edition last week, Google promised 2026 would be a big year for Android Auto, with major updates planned for how the platform looks and works across all the cars and devices where it's available.
• At I/O 2026, Engadget got a chance to see some of those upgrades running off both Android Auto on a phone and a Volvo EX60 with Google built-in.
• Right off the top, most of the enhancements Google announced earlier this month will be available to people whether they access them directly through their car or via a phone.
• I did notice some visual differences between how those features are presented.
• With Android Auto, you get Google's own Material 3 Expressive across the board;