Google Maps’ biggest Android Auto upgrade is reaching more users - Digital Trends

What the report says

Digital Trends reports that Google is broadening access to two Google Maps features for Android Auto: Immersive Navigation and an in-car live speedometer. The features had previously appeared for a more limited set of users, but the report says they are now showing up for more people, including some on stable Google Maps builds rather than only beta versions.

According to the report, Immersive Navigation updates the Android Auto map view with more detailed road presentation, clearer lane information and improved intersection visuals. The goal is to make route guidance easier to understand quickly while driving. The live speedometer adds a current-speed readout within Google Maps on Android Auto, which may be useful in vehicles where drivers would otherwise need to look away from the infotainment display to check speed.

Digital Trends says the release appears to be server-side, meaning the features may not arrive immediately even for users who install the latest versions of Google Maps or Android Auto. Availability is described as gradual and may differ by region, device or account, so some drivers may still need to wait before seeing the changes.

The report also notes a related interface shift on Android phones: the Gemini icon has replaced the Google Assistant shortcut in the top-right corner of Google Maps for some users. More broadly, the Android Auto changes matter because they improve a heavily used navigation experience with practical driving aids rather than introducing a separate new app or requiring users to join a beta programme.