web analytics
Samsung Android

Android Auto’s redesign ditches the weather icon, but it’s finally fixed on the old look

From 9to5google.com


android auto redesign time widget

Android Auto is in the midst of a redesign, and with that has come some big changes to the platform. One of those changes is ditching the persistent, glanceable weather icon in Android Auto’s status bar. But some good news, that’s finally fixed on the original look.

The story of a glanceable weather widget on Android Auto has gone back and forth. It was there in the original version of Android Auto, with a card that showed up on the homescreen all of the time. But then, when Google redesigned the platform in 2019, that functionality was removed entirely.

Later on, Google conceded and brought back weather to Android Auto, but only in an icon that was visible in the top status bar. However, the icon kept disappearing unexpectedly for many, sometimes for months at a time. It’s since been brought back and then disappeared again a couple of times, but most recently vanished for many with the promise of a fix on the horizon.

Here’s the good news: The weather icon in Android Auto is now fixed again, or at least Google says it is on a support forum page. Your results may vary, but recent updates should bring it back.

android auto weather icon
This is what the weather icon looks like on the 2019 Android Auto redesign

Here’s the bad news: The weather icon is gone in the platform’s redesign.

The “Coolwalk†redesign of Android Auto brings a fancy split-screen feature and a whole new look and feel to the platform, but it also removes the top-mounted status bar. Instead, there’s now a bottom bar that shows apps or widgets as well as holding a shortcut to show your notifications. At the corner, the bar shows the time, your phone’s battery, and your network signal strength (as pictured above). Missing from the picture is a glanceable weather icon of any sort, which is a shame!

Related: Hands-on: Android Auto’s split-screen redesign gets thoughtfully retooled

Will Google bring this back at any point? That remains to be seen, but there’s certainly time. Right now, the Android Auto redesign is only available in an effectively-closed beta program, so Google definitely will have a chance to look into reinstating that functionality before the full launch.

More on Android Auto:


Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Android Auto’s redesign ditches the weather icon, but it’s finally fixed on the old look

The post Android Auto’s redesign ditches the weather icon, but it’s finally fixed on the old look first appeared on 9to5google.com

New reasons to get excited everyday.



Get the latest tech news delivered right in your mailbox


Android Auto’s redesign ditches the weather icon, but it’s finally fixed on the old look

You may also like

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x