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- Google starts rolling out Android Auto 18.2 beta update, hints at long-awaited light mode
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Google starts rolling out Android Auto 18.2 beta update, hints at long-awaited light mode
Android Auto
Google has begun rolling out the Android Auto 18.2 update to beta users, continuing its steady pace of software updates for the in-car platform. While the release does not appear to introduce any major user-facing features, code discovered within the update suggests Google is making further preparations for a long-rumoured light mode experience.
No visible changes for users
According to reports, Android Auto 18.2 is currently rolling out through the beta channel, arriving just over a week after Android Auto 18.1 reached the stable release track. As with many recent updates, the latest version does not introduce any obvious interface changes or new features for drivers.The update is expected to focus primarily on bug fixes and performance improvements, addressing issues that may include connectivity glitches, user interface problems, Gemini-related bugs and other software headaches that have surfaced in recent releases
More signs of light mode under development
The biggest discovery in Android Auto 18.2 comes from an APK teardown, which revealed that Google has updated more than 100 assets related to light mode support. The changes are said to involve various user interface elements, including button designs and other visual components needed for a lighter theme.Reports note that Google has been quietly laying the groundwork for light mode across several Android Auto releases. While the feature has been spotted in code for years, it has yet to make its way into a public release. The latest update suggests development is continuing behind the scenes, though Google has not announced a launch timeline.
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Android 9 support remains intact
Another notable detail is that Android Auto 18.2 continues to support devices running Android 9, despite Google’s earlier confirmation that Android 11 will eventually become the minimum requirement for the platform.For now, Android Auto users should not expect dramatic changes from version 18.2. However, the continued work on light mode suggests that one of the platform’s most requested visual upgrades may be inching closer to reality, even if its official debut remains uncertain.
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