The next step in Android’s continued expansion has been a slow one: our cars. Android Automotive is available in many cars, but even if you have one, you may find that the selection of apps isn’t great compared to what you have on your phone. Now that is about to change.
Google is set to launch its “car-ready mobile apps program” this February, opening the floodgates to a wave of new apps on Android Automotive. This initiative will allow developers to easily adapt their existing Android mobile applications for in-vehicle use, significantly expanding the software landscape for cars equipped with Google’s built-in operating system.
The program will provide developers with a clear path to optimize their applications for the unique environment of a car dashboard. Google is initially prioritizing entertainment-focused apps like streaming services, games and web browsers, but the program’s impact is ultimately expected to be felt across a wide range of app categories.
One of the key requirements for participating in the program is compatibility with x86 processors, a common architecture in many vehicles. This can make things a bit tricky since hardly any Android phones/tablets use x86 these days (ASUS tried using Intel chips on some of its phones a decade ago), so Google will also offer a mode compatibility, ensuring that a wider range of apps can run on Android Automotive, even without significant modifications.
It’s worth noting that Android Automotive is not the same as Android Auto, which has been used on cars for several years. Android Auto lets you connect your phone to your car and gives you a driver-friendly experience so you don’t have to constantly look at your phone, but ultimately it’s not Android running your car. Android Automotive, on the other hand, functions as a suitable operating system for your car’s infotainment system.
Many Android apps work well with Android Auto, but those apps need to be properly ported to work on Android Automotive, just as they would on something like Wear OS, which is a completely different form factor. The full effects of the program will be visible over the coming months, depending on its success with developers.
Source: Android Authority via The edge
