This version is not yet available for everyone
The Google team has begun to distribute to some users a new design of the Google Maps (Google Maps) application for the Android Auto car platform. The updated application received a sidebar with controls for working with maps on the car’s media system.
Previously, map controls were only displayed when interacting with the map. After the update, the controls are always visible in the semi-transparent panel on the left side of the screen. Among them are scaling, map orientation, voice prompts and access to additional settings.
Android Auto has updated the design of Google Maps with a sidebar
This design has an important advantage: it makes it easier to access the map controls while driving, and the driver no longer needs to fiddle with the touch screen to do so.
The new design appears to be in testing phase, though some users have already reported seeing it on Android Auto 10 and v9.9 with Google Maps 11.90. This version isn’t available to everyone yet, and it’s not yet clear if the new design will be available in older versions of Android Auto.
