Android Automotive and Android Auto might seem like two drops of water at first, but they're actually different beasts spearheading Google's push in the automotive sector. And the search giant is working around the clock to make the difference even more substantial.
The search giant has announced a trio of new Android Automotive apps currently unavailable on Android Auto, and the chances are that some of them will never land on the phone-powered experience.
The new apps are Prime Video, Vivaldi (already available in Renault cars but now expanding to the entire lineup of Android Automotive-powered models), and The Weather Channel. Let's see what the new rollout is all about and why Android Auto can't have these goodies.
Vivaldi on Android Automotive
Photo: Vivaldi
Statistics show that Google Chrome is the world's number one browser (on the desktop and mobile), followed by Microsoft Edge (now the default choice on Windows) and other names like Safari and Firefox.
Vivaldi is one of the underdogs packed with tons of features, offering insane customization options and tools you won't find elsewhere. Furthermore, Vivaldi also expanded to the car world with an Android Automotive version previously limited to Renault and Polestar models.
The browser now expands to all Android Automotive-powered cars, making its way to the Google Play Store without any download restriction. If your vehicle runs Android Automotive, you can download and install Vivaldi.
The browser can only be used when the car is parked, as navigating the web is automatically locked when you start driving.
Prime Video on Android Automotive
Photo: Google
Prime Video is the second app coming to the Google Play Store on Android Automotive. Only select Renault, Polestar, and Volvo owners can download it, but Google says more brands will follow soon.
As anyone can already figure out, Prime Video allows drivers and passengers to watch on-demand video on the infotainment screen.
The video is only allowed when the vehicle is completely stationary, so you can't watch content when you drive. Android Automotive interrupts the playback when the vehicle starts moving.
The other major shortcoming is that the video playback doesn't use the entire screen estate. Most Android Automotive cars come with a portrait screen, and while the Prime Video interface has been updated to fit the display, the video uses a wide landscape resolution, so it'll only play at the center of the screen surrounded by a black frame.
The Weather Channel on Android Automotive
Photo: Google
The third app coming to Android Automotive as part of this release is The Weather Channel.
Google describes it as "the most accurate weather forecaster," joining Android Automotive to provide drivers with weather information for their routes.
The application sports a dedicated UI for Android Automotive-powered cars to show the weather conditions with hourly forecasts, a Trip View radar, and alerts for unexpected rainstorms.
The Weather Channel isn't yet available for download on Android Automotive, but Google promises the download links will go live soon.
The curious case of app restrictions on Android Auto
While The Weather Channel is also working on an Android Auto version, apps like Prime Video, Vivaldi, YouTube, and Netflix are still banned on Google's phone-projected experience. Apple uses a similar approach and blocks on-demand video content on CarPlay.
The search giant has never discussed these limitations, despite Android Auto having the technical means of offering video streaming content at least as safe as Android Automotive. Living proof is the typing experience on Android Auto.
Users can type an address for navigation apps if the vehicle is stationary. Android Auto locks the keyboard when the car starts moving, so users can no longer type, as they're supposed to keep their eyes on the road. A similar approach could also power video app integration on Android Auto, but Google still ignores this request, keeping popular names like YouTube exclusive to Android Automotive.
It doesn't mean YouTube can't work on Android Auto. Users can still find instructions to enable YouTube in their cars if they know where to look, but it's a shame they must turn to unofficial solutions when Google should bring the most popular applications at a one-tap distance into their cars.
I believe it's only a matter of time until YouTube debuts on Android Auto, though. One of my sources told me that Google looked into ways to bring the application to Android Auto several times, especially because the in-car experience could help expand the ad reach.
Android Auto is also getting its share of new apps, as Google has recently announced WebEx by Cisco and Zoom for the in-car experience. The new apps allow users to remain productive on the road, including features to join meetings and make audio calls while driving. WebEx is still in beta on Android Auto, with the two apps now rolling out to users through the Google Play Store.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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