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Android Auto Beta Hints at Google Cast and Material 3 Media Player Redesign

Hints come from decompiled strings in Android Auto 15.9.655104 alongside a hidden media-player redesign not yet enabled publicly.

Overview

  • APK analysis of version 15.9.655104 in the beta track surfaced Media Router strings that explicitly reference Google Cast, including prompts like “Cast. Connected.”
  • Android Authority manually enabled a hidden Material 3 Expressive media-player UI that shows a new progress bar and refreshed button styles.
  • These capabilities remain experimental in the beta build, are disabled by default, and have no announced rollout or timeline.
  • Google previously added Cast support to Android Automotive on vehicles such as Rivian, providing precedent for similar phone-to-car casting in Android Auto.
  • Reporters note the work may align with Google’s earlier tease of in-car video features, though the company has not confirmed final plans.