Google has pushed the Android Auto 14.4 beta update, which brings some important changes. The update focuses on a fresh new design, better performance, and improved device compatibility.

The fresh update for Android Auto arrives with a new Material 3 Expressive design. It adds smooth animations, colorful themes, and modern-looking icons. Also, the app now looks more vibrant in both light and dark modes.

In addition to this, the old blue Google Assistant icon has also been replaced with a flat, new one. This icon now matches the updated design of Android Auto.

However, there’s some bad news too. Google Assistant’s Driving Mode is going away. Many users noticed this feature has disappeared from their phones. Google is removing it to make space for something new, which could be the Gemini AI.

The removal of Google Assistant has been spotted on newer models, including Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S24, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 9. Some older phones still have it, but not for long.

Though the Gemini-powered driving interface has not yet gone live in Android Auto, Google has confirmed it’s on the way. It will eventually take over driving features in Android Auto and other devices.

You can download the Android Auto 14.4 beta update via the Google Play Store on your Android device. Also, you can download it directly from the third-party app link mentioned here.

Android Auto bringing polished, modern light theme

Google is making Android feel more interactive and lively by introducing a variety of new, expressive animations. We get a sneak peek into some of the amazing animations that will enhance the user experience in the upcoming Android update (courtesy of AndroidAuthority).

New animations are designed to make everyday interactions, like dismissing notifications or toggling settings, more engaging and fun. Let’s know what new animations are coming.

Animations for dismissing notifications and recent tasks

The most noticeable change is in how notifications are dismissed. Currently, swiping a notification away feels smooth and frictionless, but with the new update, notifications will have a sense of weight.

Google is adding physics-based animations that make notifications bounce back if you partially swipe and release them. They will also carry momentum when fully dismissed, giving a more natural feel to the action.

Shifting Quick Settings Tiles

Quick Settings will now feature dynamic animations. When toggled on, the tiles will change shape from an oval to a rounded rectangle. This shape-shifting effect adds a touch of liveliness to an otherwise static action.

Additionally, tiles like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will have a colored background when enabled, which matches the system theme, adding a visual flair to the settings.

Power Button Squeeze Animation

For users who activate the voice assistant by holding the power button, a new squeeze animation will make the action feel more responsive. As you press and hold the power button, a black overlay will expand inward from the screen’s edges before the assistant’s screen appears.

Animated Volume Slider

Another subtle but impressive change is in the volume slider. When adjusting the volume during media playback, the three-dot menu icon transforms into a tiny animated waveform. While it doesn’t sync with the music or video, it adds an aesthetic touch to the otherwise functional volume control.

Fidgety Lock Screen Clock

The lock screen is getting a playful update as well. Tapping the clock on the lock screen will cause it to “fidget,” briefly growing larger before returning to its original size. This small touch adds personality to the lock screen, especially for users who stick with the default clock.

Google is preparing a new UI design overhaul for the upcoming Android version, and we’ve gathered some details from this revelation to show you what might be coming with the next major Android update.

AndroidAuthority has shared an early look at Google’s plan to revamp the Android interface, spied from Android 16 Beta 4, which released last month. The beta doesn’t have these new changes for the public, but the source has managed to get a different picture of the UI within the same software.

Task bar

The new UI has a refreshed task bar with new icons and a bold font family. The battery icon is horizontal, Wi-Fi, Airplane mode, network, and sound profile are highly visible in the new UI. These enhanced font can be seen throughout settings and menus.

Source – AndroidAuthority

Colored Battery icon

This will catch your eye at the first glance, and you cannot overlook, even though you may not like it. It seems, developers will give users some special personalization options for the battery icon.

Notifications and quick settings

Google is likely to continue the unified notifications and quick settings panel with this new release. But, the new UI will make it look far better than the current version. You don’t have to take my words for it, take a sneak peak at the screenshot below.

Source – Android Authority

Starting with the appearance, the semi-transparent – frost background and reshaped tiles brings a modern look for the quick settings compared to all dark version. The downside of the Android 15 and previous software is this default look that you can’t change, no matter how badly you may desire.

On the other hand, the tiles’ customizer supports instant addition or removal of shortcuts as well as resizing. Unfortunately, the layout will remain the same, Google is not in the mood to part the quick settings in sections like Samsung. The new notifications panel is carrying the semi transparent background with new shapes and options. We don’t know which features will be added to this section.

To be mentioned, the new sliders are all over the UI for brightness, volume, alarm, ring, notifications and more. You can see that a handle is now visible in the front of such a slider with an angular shape.

Blur

This new Android UI upgrade is focusing on the trending interface, including background blur. Places including task changer, app drawer and quick settings are now using background blur to distance itself from the current UI. And it is good to see that Google is taking a whole new approach on this matter.

source – Android Authority

Better lock screen

The transparent shortcut buttons, optimized font family, lock screen widgets and background blur, better clock design will all combine in the new lock screen.

source – Android Authority

Coming with Android 16?

There’s no clear answer to this question because these plans are not officially confirmed by the Android maker. Instead, we’ll have to wait for a full revelation of this update at The Android Show or Google I/O 2025.

Note – These are some early findings, and we may see a better version of the upcoming changes in the near future.

Google’s Android 16 is shaping up to challenge Samsung’s One UI 7 with a fresh design called Material 3 Expressive. Spotted in Android 16 Beta 4, these changes promise a more engaging user experience (courtesy of AndroidAuthority).

Samsung has significantly revamped the design and user interface in its One UI 7 update. Leaks suggest One UI 8 will further elevate the overall appearance. Now, Google plans to redefine the stock Android look gradually.

Here’s what to expect.

Quick Settings and Notification Panel

Android’s Quick Settings and Notification Panel remain unified but add resizable tiles, one-click Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles, and a redesigned brightness slider.

Android 16 Material 3 Expressive | Source – Android Authority

A standout feature is the background blur effect. Quick Settings tiles sit over a light blur, while notifications have a stronger blur, creating a frosted glass look in light mode.

Source – Android Authority

Blur Effect

The Pixel Launcher’s app drawer, recents menu, and PIN entry screen now feature blurred backgrounds, replacing solid gray ones. One UI 7 also uses blur effects, but Google’s broader application could give Android 16 an edge.

Source – Android Authority

Beyond the App Drawer, the blur effect will also be expanding to the Recents screen. The card placement won’t change drastically, but the adoption of the background blur effect introduces a cohesive appearance.

Source – Android Authority

The status bar in Material 3 Expressive gets a visual refresh with updated icons for Wi-Fi, mobile data, airplane mode, and battery. Wi-Fi and mobile data icons are now segmented, while 5G and airplane mode icons are bolder.

In addition, the battery icon adds color, showing green when charging and red when low. A new, bolder clock font complements these changes, giving the status bar a modern, vibrant feel that rivals One UI 7’s polish.

Android 16 also replaces Android 15’s thick, pill-shaped volume sliders with thinner ones featuring handles, aligning with Material 3 guidelines.

In addition, Google is adding playful icon shapes for the Pixel Launcher, including “square,” “four-sided cookie,” “seven-sided cookie,” “arch,” and “complex clover.”

These design changes, found in Android 16 Beta 4, hint at a competitive user experience rivalry with One UI 7. While not enabled yet, they could roll out in quarterly updates after the I/O 2025.

Samsung has started rolling out the April 2025 Google Play System update for Galaxy devices, starting with the Galaxy S25 series. The company will soon expand this update to more Galaxy devices.

April 2025 Google Play System update for the Galaxy S25 series improves some functions to provide a better Galaxy experience. It brings several improvements across Android components to improve device performance, connectivity, and user experience.

Android WebView enhances privacy, security, and web content support in apps, though some features may be experimental. Google Play services v25.15 includes system updates that improve battery life, storage, and privacy.

Moreover, Google Wallet now lets users add new card types to Wear devices and shows transit passes in Maps. It enhances receipt and transit card experiences, especially in Australia.

Google Play Store v45.9 introduces app video previews in search, promotional notifications during onboarding, and game updates on the home page. Also, Android System Intelligence v26 and Private Compute Services v25 focus on backend upgrades, including storage, API changes, and maintenance.

Earlier April updates added Quick Share previews, better location settings UI, improved setup tools, and new Wallet features like card nicknames and developer tools. These updates aim to improve device performance, connectivity, and user experience across Android devices.

You can download the latest April 2025 Play System Update by going to Settings >> Security and Privacy >> Updates >> Google Play System Update. If you’re using a Galaxy S25, it’s recommended to install the update now for the best performance and latest features.