I’ve been checking my car’s dashboard after every Android Auto update since May, hoping to see the redesign Google showed off at I/O.

At I/O, Google promised Android Auto a full-screen interface, real widgets, 3D maps, video while parked, and a smarter Gemini. Version 17.8 is rolling out now without any of it, according to autoevolution, but Google still says these features arrive “later this year.” Here’s what’s coming, what’s already trickling out, and which phones get left behind.

Android Auto set to fill your whole screen

Material 3 Expressive hits the dashboard

As noted by 9to5Google, Android Auto should take over your full display, instead of being stuck in a box. In theory, Google Maps will run edge to edge underneath it all. The app row should then become a floating bar that sits on either the side or bottom of your display (depending on your car’s setup), and the app drawer slides in instead of taking over the display.

In addition, your phone’s wallpaper and fonts should carry over to your car, says Google, with smoother animations along as well. The company also promises that Android Auto will fit more car screens of differing sizes.

Still, the last major overhaul (Coolwalk) didn’t get to most drivers even nine months after Google announced it, so take all the promises with a grain of salt.

It will be interesting to see the display expand down under the dock, though I’m unsure if that will really make a difference.

Garage doors, contacts, and weather at a tap

We got very excited about widgets in Android Auto this past May, but I’m not seeing them on my car screen just yet. Google promised stuff like a widget for favorite contacts, a one-tap garage door opener (yes, please), and a solid weather overview widget. I love decluttering screens with informational widgets, so this should be a great update when it arrives.

Apparently, code for an official widgets toggle is in the Android 17.8 beta, but that’s not active yet on my phone at least.

Immersive Navigation turns Google Maps 3D

Some drivers already have it

Google calls this its “biggest update to Google Maps in over a decade,” adding 3D buildings, overpasses, and terrain, plus highlighted lanes, traffic lights, and stop signs. The update also brings more natural voice guidance and shows route tradeoffs like tolls versus traffic delays.

This started rolling out in the US in July, though you may not have it yet, as it happens via a server side system. A quick check on my dashboard shows the 3D maps, so I’m hopeful I have the rest of the features as well, so I’ll give it a deeper check soon.

Gemini gets smarter, but not on every phone

Magic Cue could replace a lot of tapping

Gemini replaced Google Assistant in Android Auto back in November of last year, even though you still say “Hey, Google” to get it going. Magic Cue is set to pull context from your texts, emails, and calendar to answer questions before you have to dig for answers, letting you say things like “Order my usual fish tacos on DoorDash for pickup, but double the order.”

The only catch here is that Gemini Intelligence needs a flagship chip and at least 12GB of RAM to power Gemini Nano v3, which rules out my older Pixel 9. Newer devices, like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Pixel 11 will work with it just fine, though.

YouTube comes to your dashboard while you’re parked

And Dolby Atmos is headed your way, too

With this fancy feature, you’ll get full HD video at 60fps in apps like YouTube, but you have to be parked for it to work. It will switch to audio-only once you start driving, so that’s a nice plus. You need to be running Android 17 or higher, plus you have to have a compatible car. My 2022 Nissan Leaf isn’t one of those, so I’m out of luck. Launch brands include BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and hopefully we’ll see it “later this year.”

More to my liking, Dolby Atmos and spatial audio head to Android auto, though this, too, is only in supported brands as above. Plus, there’s a redesigned YouTube Music and Spotify players that should look more like their mobile counterparts.

Worth the wait, if Google delivers this year

So far, the only feature here that’s likely reached most of us is Immersive Navigation, and even 17.8 doesn’t have the full redesign. You’ll need to keep Android Auto and Google Maps updated via the Play Store since updates roll out in stages. Ultimately, the widgets and full-screen layouts will be the biggest, most immediately recognizable changes, though watching YouTube while waiting and parked could be a fun game-changer as well. Time will tell as we all keep refreshing out updates and hoping for the best, right?