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Android Automotive To Offer A Bunch Of New Apps Next Month

The Google Play Store in cars with Android Automotive – like GM EVs – currently looks a little barren. However, that’s about to change. Google is launching many more car-ready mobile apps starting in February, but we don’t have specifics on which ones are coming.

Quick reminder: Android Automotive is a full-scale operating system, and Android Auto is an app; they’re not the same thing. A car with Android Automotive – also known as Google built-in – has onboard Google apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant, while Android Auto requires connecting a smartphone to the car via USB or Bluetooth. For example, most GM EVs currently in production have Google built-in, but most of them don’t have the Android Auto app.

Chevy Blazer EV Android Automotive infotainment system.

Google first announced at the Google I/O developer conference in 2024 that it would bring existing mobile apps that are large screen-friendly and bring them to Android Automotive. This applies to apps that are optimized for bigger devices like tablets and Chromebooks. Pending an eligibility process from Google, these apps will start to arrive in vehicles with Google built-in next month.

Google did specify that, for now, it’s only considering video, gaming, and browser categories for new Android Automotive apps. This tells us that the intention is to use them while waiting for an EV to charge. Obviously, Google doesn’t want you to watch Netflix or play Roblox while you’re driving. During the aforementioned I/O announcement, Google used AMC+ in its demonstration, implying that it’s working to optimize streaming apps for in-car use.

GMC Hummer EV Android Automotive infotainment system.

In addition to Chevy, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac, other car brands with Google built-in operating systems include Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Volvo, and Polestar.

As the app ecosystem grows for GM’s Google built-in infotainment systems, it could take some of the sting out of the company’s decision to phase out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 87 percent of you said in our poll that these are must-have connectivity features, but GM has doubled down on its choice not to offer them. The cars with Google built-in already have Google Maps, so if it can integrate more apps for maps, music, and entertainment, drivers may forget they ever needed to connect their phone to their car.

George is an automotive journalist with soft spots for classic GM muscle cars, Corvettes, and Geo.

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Comments

  1. They won’t forget android and CarPlay when they start getting a monthly fee with gm’s googles built in. Hype it all u want monthly prescription already failed badly.

    Reply
    1. that fee isn’t going to hit until years later.

      Reply
  2. One more thing for the flakes to kvetch about .

    Reply
  3. gm on-dash and Remote App lack of apps varities of features currently + Lack of CarPlay + running on OLD Andriod at least 2 versions behind the current Android version + inherent cyber security vulnaearblities in many models are the biggest suckehr of all times title amongst all the manufactureres with Andriod Auto offering.

    Reply

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