Get ready for AI In Cars: Second Android Auto 14.1 Beta Released with Gemini Live Assistant

Android Auto recently got a major version change to 14, featuring the long-awaited Gemini Live feature. This marks the inception of AI for Cars. As we reported earlier, Google’s AI assistant called Gemini will soon replace the conventional Google Assistant — a service that hasn’t seen significant updates in two years. The search giant also released an update to the Gemini app container, which could further help enable the new AI assistant based on Gemini Flash 2.0 on Android Auto, smartphones, Wear OS, and more.

Today, Google released Android Auto 14.1.151404 beta build featuring support for more car manufacturers and also internally testing Gemini Live with 2.0 Flash; which is a multimodal LLM for faster response times.

Gemini, if you don’t already know, is the new AI (assistant) from Google for smartphones capable of generative tasks as well as their reasoning model. It can perform tasks as the original assistant and more including calls, summarize messages, get directions, and may also help change Android Auto settings as it does for some phone. Here, download the latest stable Android Auto 14.1.151404 APK to potentially activate Google Gemini Live for eligible devices, for now.

Detailed in our Android Auto 14 stable post, Google officially announced the changed. Google stated, “Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices.” They added, “Additionally, we’ll be upgrading tablets, cars, and devices that connect to your phone—such as headphones and watches—to Gemini. We’re also introducing a new experience, powered by Gemini, for home devices like speakers, displays, and TVs. More details will follow in the coming months. In the meantime, Google Assistant will continue to operate on these devices.”

New features in Android Auto 14.1

The inclusion of Gemini Live code and support for new cars in Android Auto 14.1. APK Breakdown — a thorough examination of Android application packages — revealed several entries that hint at upcoming features:

Android Auto 14 beta adds support for two new cars, including the manufacturer GWM (Great Wall Motor, a Chinese automobile manufacturer known for its SUVs) and Renault Modus.

Gemini Live code

The following code was found in the latest Android Auto update.

The first time Gemini Live was mentioned in the Android Auto source code by Google was in the Android Auto 14. The gemini_live_icon reference suggests that the new AI assistant will soon be available to cars. New users will receive prompts guiding them through Gemini’s features on their first launch.

As for the features, the source code also contains a bunch of new code showcasing new assistant features like:

<public type=”string” name=”assistant_education_tooltip_gemini_upgrade”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_education_tooltip_open_app_default”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_education_tooltip_open_app_launcher_format”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_education_tooltip_open_app_media_format”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_education_tooltip_phone_call_ended”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_query_make_a_call”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_quick_feedback_prompt”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_summarization_quick_feedback_prompt”/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_tooltip_add_a_stop_0″/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_tooltip_add_a_stop_1″/>
<public type=”string” name=”assistant_tooltip_share_eta”/>

For eligible devices like the Google Pixel, Android Auto may display a Gemini Upgrade prompt, educating the user of how to use it and enable Gemini Live on your car head unit.

According to source code, the features we can expect with Gemini Live such as

“make a call,”
“summarization like messages and daily tasks,”
“add a stop” to your journey,
“share ETA” with contacts,
open app launcher settings
open app default

Android Auto 14 also introduces a host of bug fixes alongside several new features, which you can read here.

Android Auto 14 beta adds critical feature for temperature control and AC control. You can now set the temperature to high, low, or turn off directly from Android Auto interface in eligible devices.

We found the following code in the latest stable update.

<public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_hi” id=”0x7f150442″ /> <public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_lo” id=”0x7f150443″ /> <public type=”string” name=”control_temperature_off” id=”0x7f150444″ />

We found the following code for AC control the latest update.

<public type=”string” name=”control_ac_off” id=”0x7f150442″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_ac_on” id=”0x7f150443″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_auto” id=”0x7f150444″ />
<public type=”string” name=”control_sync” id=”0x7f150445″ />

New windshield defrost feature addded to Android Auto

<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_windshield_defrost_front_vd_theme_24″ />
<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_windshield_defrost_rear_vd_theme_24″/>
<public type=”string” name=”control_defrost_front”/>
<public type=”string” name=”control_defrost_rear”/>

Also adds:

<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_mode_fan_off_vd_theme_24″/>
<public type=”drawable” name=”gs_mode_fan_vd_theme_24″/>

New Android Auto Maps app or feature

Google is potentially testing a new maps feature or app for Android Auto. Here WeGo maps is already supported for cars.

<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_DEV”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_DOGFOOD”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_FISHFOOD”/>
<public type=”string” name=”EGMM_MAPS_APP_NAME_PREVIEW”/>

Bug Fixes with Android Auto

Apart from the above features, Google may have fixed some of the following issues in Android Auto.

[Auto] Android Auto disconnects on Pixel 9 Pro
[Auto] Connection issues on Android 15
[Auto] Call audio not heard on Pixel 9
[Auto] Screen freezing issue with Xiaomi phones

Latest Android Auto 14.1 Beta APK Download

New Android Auto 14.1.151404 beta APK is now available for download. Get the APK and sideload onto your phone. Or, sign up for beta and get it officially from the Google Play Store.

Android Auto APK 14.1 beta (arm64)
- Google Drive Mirror

Sign up for Android Auto Beta

The Android Auto beta sign up is now available on Play Store. However, the latest version takes some time to reflect as it is a phased update. As an alternative, download APK from above or sign up for beta version here.

Android Auto beta test

Download Android Auto from Play Store

The official Android Auto listing is now available on Play Store. However, the latest version takes some time to reflect as it is a phased update.

Download Android Auto from Play Store

Get Ready for AI in Cars: Second Android Auto 14.1 Beta Released with Gemini (Download)