© Polestar
Android Automotive has suddenly received more than 70 apps, including games and streaming services, but you can only use them when your car is parked.
While Android car itself prepares for the arrival From new apps within the ‘Car Ready Mobile Apps’ program, Google is already rolling them out to Android Automotive. For those who do not know the OS: this is Googles’s own operating system for cars and intended as a counterpart to the infotainment systems that manufacturers develop themselves. The big advantage of the automotive operating system is the adaptability of Android and the ecosystem of apps that you can get for it. Previously there were just under 200 apps available, but after the upgrade This week that number is increasing to nearly 300.
Google has allowed more than 70 new apps on Android Automotive. These apps are part of the ‘Car Ready Mobile Apps’ program and meet the strict requirements that Google sets for this. The range of entertainment apps in Android Automotive in particular has been expanded by the update and now even includes games such as Roblox and different variants of chess and solitaire.
The range of streaming services has also been expanded. For example, via Android Automotive you can now watch F1 competitions via F1 TV, but also apps from NBC News, Red Bull TV and Watche are now available on the platform. It is likely that in the long term many more apps will be added; After all, less than 300 apps from Android Automotive contrast sharply with the millions of apps in the Play Store.
Apps are in principle automatically selected for rollout to the cars operating system. Developers would have little or no extra work on it. Yet they sometimes have to make a few small adjustments, such as adding X86 support.
Only if you are parked
Google takes on users with regard to the new entertainment apps. You can only use them if your car is parked. As soon as you put the car in ‘Drive’, you can no longer open the apps to prevent distraction while driving. The apps are therefore especially useful if you are parked with a fast charger or have to wait for someone while you are in the car.
For the time being another restriction applies: the new apps are only available for certain polestar and Volvo models. These receive an OTA update for this, after which they can install the more than 70 new apps. However, when other Android automotive models get access, Google still leaves in the middle. Usually the largest user of Android Automotive – together with Polestar – applies to Volvo – together with Polestar exclusivity period of a few weeks.
