Latest news with #GoogleBuiltIn
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 Is Bigger, Better, And Finally Gets A Touchscreen
At long last, Mazda has switched to a touchscreen setup in its new CX-5 crossover. Mazda's best selling vehicle in the U.S. is the five-seat CX-5, a modest crossover that doesn't exceed $45,000 even at the top of the line. Since the first generation was introduced in 2013, Mazda has sold more than 1.6 million CX-5 units here in America. The automaker builds beautiful, reliable, stylish vehicles at an affordable price. On top of all that, Mazda created one of the most gorgeous red paint finishes on the planet: Soul Red Crystal Metallic. For the 2026 model year, the brand has debuted a new generation of the CX-5 that's a half-inch wider, 4.5 inches longer, and provides more leg room than it did before. Plus, the door openings are wider, making it easier for passengers to enter and exit, and the cargo load area is a half-inch lower lift-in height for easier loading. Also, says Stefan Meisterfeld, VP of Strategic Planning for Mazda North American Operations, customers will be able to choose from a variety of accessories to make cargo management much easier. In previous years, there was one thing that vexed many potential buyers in the market for a new car: the Commander control function for its infotainment system. In the 2026 CX-5, Mazda finally mitigates that issue with a brand-new touchscreen and Google Built-In. It's a welcome change that heralds a new era for Mazda, and one that could make the difference for growing the brand's presence in the U.S. The 2026 CX-5 is longer and wider than the previous generation. Mazda Says Safety First, Now With New Tech A few years ago, YouTuber Jill Ciminillo interviewed Mazda's Manager of Vehicle Dynamics Dave Coleman. He told her the Mazda infotainment setup, complete with its all-controlling center knob, was designed for safety. A touchscreen, he argued, requires the driver to look from the road to the touchscreen to their finger and back, which is a distraction. Making the switch to full touchscreen mode for 2026 required a major update way beyond the infotainment system itself, says Meisterfeld. 'It's important to note that we didn't just add a large center touch display,' Meisterfeld points out. 'We also followed our philosophy of hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, safety first.' While offering all this new technology, Mazda also redesigned the steering wheel to work seamlessly with the CX-5's new layout. Meisterfeld says it's intended to be very intuitive, at the same time giving the driver operational control over many different functions. On top of that, the crossover uses Google Assistant for native language recognition. As such, most of the features and functions can also be operated by voice command. In total, Mazda believes the setup in the CX-5 follows its original philosophy to put safety first. Open and airy, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 is roomier than before. Hybrid Mazda CX-5 On The Way The 2026 CX-5 retains the capable 2.5-liter engine from 2025 in both turbo and non-turbo versions. In the base model, the 2026 CX-5's powerplant will launch with 2.5-liter 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. Stay tuned, because in 2027 Mazda will offer a hybrid powertrain in the CX-5 with more power and improved MPG. It's won't be the first hybrid Mazda has ever had, as the CX-50 used a Toyota-sourced hybrid system, but it will be the first one Mazda builds in-house. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 will be on sale early next year.
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Android Authority
First phones, then PCs: Now Quick Share is coming to your car
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Google has announced that Quick Share is coming to cars with Google Built-in. This will allow you to share content between your car and phone, with no internet connection needed. There's no word on a launch window right now. Quick Share is one of the best tools around, letting you seamlessly share content between Android phones and tablets, Chromebooks, and PCs. Now, Google has confirmed that Quick Share is coming to another platform. The company quietly announced on the Android Developers Blog that Quick Share is coming to cars with Google Built-in. Google didn't give a timeline for availability, though. Nevertheless, this is welcome news and means you should be able to easily share content between your phone and car without requiring an internet connection. Quick Share on your car could be useful if you'd like to view documents or directions on your car screen. This feature could also be handy in theory if you'd like to transfer media files for offline, standalone playback. I'm guessing it could make life easier if you want to sideload Android apps too. This news comes after Google announced that Gemini would be coming to Android Auto and Google Built-in. It also follows our discovery that Android Auto could support smart glasses and air-conditioning systems. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
