Historic Day: Android Auto to Get YouTube, Games, and Browsers

Android Auto has become a must-have system for the modern driver, and Google's statistics show that the app is already installed in over 200 million vehicles. This is a sign that no matter what some carmakers say, Android Auto adoption is on the rise.

Contrary to what these carmakers claim, Android Auto is also continuously evolving, gaining new functionality and apps.

This latest announcement is proof that Android Auto (and I'm certain Apple will follow in its footsteps with similar CarPlay updates) isn't necessarily a limited platform, but adding new features takes time and resources and involves the difficult work with car manufacturers (whose lazy software efforts brought us here in the first place).

If you've been following my stories, you probably know that I've long been an advocate for YouTube on Android Auto. Allowing users to watch videos on the larger screen in the cabin makes sense IF the experience is allowed only when the vehicle is parked. Google has so far ignored this popular feature request despite bringing YouTube to Android Automotive vehicles.

The company has confirmed that video apps are "coming soon" to Android Auto, albeit no ETA specifics were shared.

YouTube is definitely one of the biggest names that will go live in the car, likely alongside other streaming apps (possibly the apps currently available on Android Automotive – Prime Video and Max). Android Auto users can already enable YouTube on Android Auto using third-party methods, and unfortunately, Google's restrictions have forced users to look for loopholes, eventually finding ways to watch videos even when the vehicle is in motion. This is a big no-no in every regard, as watching videos when driving is a major distraction source, and Google's official integration will undoubtedly restrict the watching experience to those moments when the car is parked.

Google has also confirmed that games are coming to Android Auto.

Angry Birds is the latest big name that joined Android Automotive, and the chances are that the same game will launch on Android Auto. Google didn't offer specifics, but simple games you can play while waiting to charge your car's battery make perfect sense behind the wheel. They are already available on the mobile phone, which you can freely pick up and unlock, given that the car is no longer in motion, so why not allow the same experience on the larger screen in front of you?

Games debuted on Android Auto a long time ago as part of a collection called GameSnacks. It's a small collection of time-wasting minigames, but titles like Angry Birds and other big names would certainly be a notable addition to the gaming arsenal in the car.

The last app category allowed on Android Auto is browsers.

Google didn't share specifics, but I believe Google Chrome and Vivaldi, the browsers already available on Android Automotive, will pioneer this expansion to Android Auto.

A browser is an application that allows users to navigate the web. Your Android phone comes with Google Chrome pre-loaded, but depending on your device maker, you might also have a second browser installed with the OS. Samsung phones come with Samsung Internet Browser, while iPhones ship with Safari out of the box.

Computers also support browsers. On Windows, you have Microsoft Edge pre-installed and a large collection of third-party alternatives, such as Google Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave, while on Mac, Apple pre-installs Safari.

Once browsers land on Android Auto, users will be allowed to navigate the web without unlocking their mobile devices. The experience is particularly useful thanks to the increased screen estate. Modern cars come with larger screens, so it'd be a shame not to use the bigger display for what we already do on our mobile devices when not driving.

I can't help but mention the obligatory warning. Google claims all these apps will "come soon" to Android Auto, and unfortunately, this isn't always good news. You probably know what "coming soon" means in the Android Auto world if you've used the app for over a few months.

The Coolwalk experience is the best example of what "coming soon" can sometimes mean. Google originally promised to launch the Coolwalk experience in the summer of 2022, but the first users received the multi-view app screen in 2023. The company remained tight-lipped during this time, so the "coming soon" bit turned to "coming at some point" for everybody in the Android Auto world.

For now, we'll just have to stick with this historic announcement, as Google is finally opening the Android Auto doors to more apps and developers. It's something Apple will undoubtedly copy, and the upcoming WWDC developer event due next month could bring news in this direction. Meanwhile, fingers crossed that the coming soon part will take place this decade.