Android Auto: Google opens up its platform for browser and video apps

Google is expanding the range of app categories in vehicles: Android Auto will receive support for video and browser apps. It will also soon be possible to install weather apps from various providers.

Android Auto: watching videos and surfing the web – only in a parked car

At the I/O 2025 developer conference, Google announced major innovations for Android Auto: users will soon be able to surf the web and watch films or series via the car's in-car entertainment screen. In accordance with legal safety precautions, these apps will only work under certain conditions.

For example, videos can only be watched while the car is stationary. In addition, the use of video apps in Android Auto requires Android version 16. Furthermore, video apps should only be able to be used in “selected compatible vehicles” – Google does not provide any details in the blog post on the developer blog.

According to Google, browser apps will also land in Android Auto “soon”. For safety reasons, this app category can also only be used when the vehicle is parked.

As can be seen in the feature table, the app categories “Browser” and “Video” are only new for Android Auto – Google has been offering them for Android Automotive (Built-in), which is permanently integrated into the vehicle, for some time.

The company is expanding the availability of weather apps for Android Auto and “Built-in”. Until now, this app category was still in beta status, but Google has now lifted this status. Developers can now publish their weather apps for vehicles in the Google Play Store at Attention of the quality guidelines.

Spotify Jam for Android Auto, Quick-Share for Built-in

Google touched on further innovations in a session on Android Auto: the Spotify app has been updated so that a jam session can be started in the vehicle. This function allows users to share control of an audio source from their smartphone – in this case, the car's infotainment system.

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In addition, Android Automotive will soon receive support for Quick Share in vehicles, allowing users to share locations in Google Maps routes or playlists, videos and more from their smartphone. The company will also bring Passkey support to the infotainment system.

Google is also replacing the Assistant with the new AI assistant Gemini in Android Auto and Built-in. In the future, users will be able to use the chatbot to ask questions in natural language while driving, search for the nearest petrol station or charging station and find the best restaurants on the route.

(afl)