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Android Auto tests Quick Settings and hilarious ‘Jimothy’ weather Easter egg [Gallery]

Google has some interesting tests going on behind the scenes of Android Auto right now, but only one of them is likely to actually be released – a new quick settings menu.


About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.


In a teardown of Android Auto 17.6, we can see Google setting the stage for an implementation of Quick Settings tiles in the car UI. Strings currently point to a “Do Not Disturb” tile, but it lays the groundwork for future additions.

<string name=”quick_settings_tile_dnd”>Do Not Disturb</string>

<string name=”quick_settings_toast_dnd_off”>Do Not Disturb turned off</string>

<string name=”quick_settings_toast_dnd_on”>Do Not Disturb turned on</string>

This is not currently user-facing within Android Auto, but the folks over at Android Authority manually activated the feature, showing that it appears in the notification tray.

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While this feels like a natural addition for Android Auto and like something Google would actually release to users, the other addition in Android Auto 17.6 feels like a fun little joke at best.

“Jimothy,” the viral raccoon, is hiding in Android Auto with a flag for a “Jimothy mode.”

SystemUi__jimothy_mode_enabled

Enabling this one shows “Jimothy” with weather animations, showing the current temperature and conditions on top of your music widget. It’s hilarious and very fun, but also incredibly unlikely to be something Google actually releases to the public – if nothing else, the meme’s time has passed.

But, Google, this should absolutely happen with “Froggy,” as it’d be a fun and fitting way to finally show weather data consistently on Android Auto.

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Avatar for Ben Schoon Ben Schoon

Ben is a Senior Editor for 9to5Google.

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