Google offers a short glimpse of refreshed media player UI for Android Auto

Google just gave a sneak peek at the integration of Gemini in Android Auto, revealing that the company is working on more functionalities like light themes. Meanwhile, a recent report provide a slight hint that a brand new layout for media playback is probably being prepared behind the scenes.
According to the detailed teardown conducted by Android Authority, the Android Auto 14.4 version (which has yet to be released) revealed that Google is working on changing the platform’s media player UI.

Basically, the current media player UI consists of buttons arranged in a specific order, such as Rewind/Previous, Play/Pause, and Forward/Next, following a classic timeline of the music currently playing. Also, the same pattern is followed by other apps that Android Auto mirrors in the same way on the car’s infotainment system.
However, the change is minor, but the latest music player layout of Android Auto significantly has a different layout as the Play/Pause button swaps the position with the Rewind/Previous button, while the Play/Pause button is now a pill-shaped bar and is slightly bigger than before. This change is not limited only till Spotify; rather extends to more music apps like YouTube Music.
Well, this change within the media player UI has been spotted in Android Auto 14.4 version, which is yet to be released. Beyond this, Google is constantly working on expanding certain features, including light themes, the integration of Android games to be played on the car’s display when it’s parked, climate control features and more.