Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/CarTwitch
While the app ecosystem on Android Auto and CarPlay keeps growing, Google and Apple don't seem interested in unlocking video apps.
You can't blame them. Allowing video apps on the infotainment screen could easily backfire despite the restrictions these companies can put in place. For example, apps like YouTube and Netflix could only be allowed when the vehicle is parked, but it'd be only a matter of time until skilled, tech-savvy users find a way to bypass this restriction.
YouTube is already available on Android Auto and CarPlay using third-party solutions, and now another popular application launches on Apple's in-car experience.
Twitch is now making its way to CarPlay thanks to CarTwitch, a third-party client developed by the makers of CarTubePlus and CarPlex (which bring YouTube and Plex to the CarPlay infotainment screen).
The application is currently in the beta development stage, but the feature lineup is extremely intriguing. CarTwitch will allow users to browse live streams from the homepage (so they'll know who's live), search for streams directly from CarPlay thanks to the integrated keyboard, view categories, and filter by tag and games.
Once it reaches the production phase, CarTwitch will be available free of charge.
The biggest shortcoming is that the app must be sideloaded with TrollStore, and while the process is as easy as 1-2-3, it's not something everybody will feel comfortable with.
Otherwise, CarTwitch will be a fantastic app for Twitch fans, especially if you drive an electric car and sometimes have to wait precious minutes to get the battery charged.
The app collection on CarPlay is constantly increasing, mainly because more cars on the road come equipped with Apple's system. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker is now giving the finishing touches to the second-generation CarPlay, which will launch later this year on select Aston Martin and Porsche models. Apple seemed confident that more carmakers would follow in their footsteps and adopt the new CarPlay experience, but the updated system is slowly progressing, particularly because of Apple's new-generation ambitions.
For example, unlike the first CarPlay iteration, the second generation will allow carmakers to customize the look and feel of the software to retain their brand identity. Apple will work with each carmaker on the custom interface.
The new CarPlay won't be available in cars where the first generation is available, and it'll be interesting to find out if it'll support the app ecosystem compatible with the original release. If it doesn't, the new CarPlay might be in for a rough start, as it could take a while until software developers bring the most popular applications to the updated CarPlay experience. Apple announced CarPlay 2.0 at WWDC 2.0, and I expect the company to share more information at the next developer event in the spring.
YouTube is already available on Android Auto and CarPlay using third-party solutions, and now another popular application launches on Apple's in-car experience.
Twitch is now making its way to CarPlay thanks to CarTwitch, a third-party client developed by the makers of CarTubePlus and CarPlex (which bring YouTube and Plex to the CarPlay infotainment screen).
The application is currently in the beta development stage, but the feature lineup is extremely intriguing. CarTwitch will allow users to browse live streams from the homepage (so they'll know who's live), search for streams directly from CarPlay thanks to the integrated keyboard, view categories, and filter by tag and games.
Once it reaches the production phase, CarTwitch will be available free of charge.
The biggest shortcoming is that the app must be sideloaded with TrollStore, and while the process is as easy as 1-2-3, it's not something everybody will feel comfortable with.
Otherwise, CarTwitch will be a fantastic app for Twitch fans, especially if you drive an electric car and sometimes have to wait precious minutes to get the battery charged.
The app collection on CarPlay is constantly increasing, mainly because more cars on the road come equipped with Apple's system. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker is now giving the finishing touches to the second-generation CarPlay, which will launch later this year on select Aston Martin and Porsche models. Apple seemed confident that more carmakers would follow in their footsteps and adopt the new CarPlay experience, but the updated system is slowly progressing, particularly because of Apple's new-generation ambitions.
For example, unlike the first CarPlay iteration, the second generation will allow carmakers to customize the look and feel of the software to retain their brand identity. Apple will work with each carmaker on the custom interface.
The new CarPlay won't be available in cars where the first generation is available, and it'll be interesting to find out if it'll support the app ecosystem compatible with the original release. If it doesn't, the new CarPlay might be in for a rough start, as it could take a while until software developers bring the most popular applications to the updated CarPlay experience. Apple announced CarPlay 2.0 at WWDC 2.0, and I expect the company to share more information at the next developer event in the spring.
Google News