Google tries again and tests the return of the centered view for Maps on Android Auto

Google seems ready to retrace its steps with Maps for Android Auto. Apparently the giant is trying again with the centered view of maps on its infotainment platform, but this time with a more attentive approach to design and user experience.

After criticism received at the beginning of the year for an update that ended up obscuring part of the map, the company is now testing an improved version, in which the route remains clearly visible even with the interface active.

Google is trying to bring back the centered map, but without the errors of the past

The most attentive of you will remember that in January, there was an update to the Maps app on Android Auto moved the map to the center of the screenabandoning the lateral alignment that users were accustomed to.

The result of this test was far from practical since the destination menu ended up overlapping the routecovering part of the directions and making driving more uncomfortable.

After a wave of negative reportsGoogle had quickly backtracked, restoring the original arrangement. Today, however, it seems ready to try again, this time with an optimized interface that keeps the map centered without obstructing the view.

The first tests come from some users on Reddit, who noticed the new layout in tests and, according to testimonies, the map now remains centered even after starting navigation, but the function can turn on and off intermittently. Those who tried it found that you can force a return to the centered view by tapping the three-panel button and then the Maps screen.

Compared to the January version, this iteration looks more stable and, above all, it does not have the problem of the destination menu obstructing the view.

It is not yet clear if and when Google will roll out this change to all users. Since this is a limited test, the feature may only remain available to a small group until enough feedback is gathered. However, the positive signals emerging from the first tests suggest that the company wants to reintroduce the centered map in a stable way within the next updates. We’ll see if this new attempt will bear the desired results.