Android Auto’s New Features Will Make Being Parked Less Boring

• Android Auto is getting support for web browsers and video streaming apps.
• Owners of cars with Android Auto connectivity will be able to watch videos on the vehicle's screen.

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Android Auto, Google’s smartphone mirroring system for cars, is getting several new features that will breathe new life into any compatible infotainment system. It may even end up a little more useful than Apple’s CarPlay.

Google announced that later this year, Android Auto will receive support for video apps and web browsers, as well as a better in-car experience when using the music streaming platform Spotify. All of this means that Android smartphone users will be able to use video streaming apps like YouTube on the car’s infotainment screen, with sound coming out of the car’s speakers. The same goes for browsing websites.

Android Auto and Cars with Google Built-in roadmap

Photo by: Android Developers (YouTube)

In the case of electric cars that have Android Auto connectivity, either wired or wireless, long charging stops will be a little less boring because the driver and passengers will be able to enjoy videos on the car’s central screen instead of staring at their smartphones.

Both these features have already been implemented in vehicles running the native Android Automotive OS (AAOS), like Volvo’s EX30 and EX90 EVs. But by updating Android Auto, Google is adding the same functionality to significantly more cars, including those that have had their original head units updated with affordable systems that support Android Auto.

Like the previously added games compatibility, using video apps and web browsers on Android Auto can only be done while the vehicle is stationary.

Besides video streaming and web browser support, the music streaming service Spotify is getting an overhaul on Android Auto. In the coming months, Spotify users will be able to join a Spotify Jam session from their cars while using Android Auto. The feature allows users to share control of an audio source from their devices. In other words, it’s like a group of friends gets together to listen to music, and they take turns picking a song from a computer–only with Spotify Jam, they can be anywhere in the world and still listen to the same music.

When using Android Auto, users will have to tap the new “Jam” icon on the touchscreen. This will bring up a QR code, which has to be scanned with a smartphone. Then, songs can be added to a group playlist.

If nothing else, these updates will give you more to do during your next long EV charging session.