Android Automotive gets major update with native Max and Peacock streaming
Google has revealed it is adding several apps, including Max and Peacock, to its Android Automotive infotainment platform, the operating system used by the likes of Volvo, Polestar and Renault, plus upcoming models from Porsche.
Ford, Acura, Honda, Buick and Cadillac are some additional manufacturers leveraging the power of Android Automotive with Google Automotive Services (GAS), which allows these brands to offer Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant natively on in-car displays – another then introduce Android Auto, which is simply a smartphone screen mirroring device.
Now both drivers and passengers can take advantage of two new streaming services in the US – Max and Peacock – as well as the ability to play the Angry Birds game. The catch? Most vehicles offering gaming and video streaming understandably need to be parked before these services can be legally accessed.
That said, Porsche revealed late last year that both the Macan EV and revised Panamera will have optional passenger displays that allow access to gaming and video streaming services while driving, thanks to the special privacy coating that means the driver can’t see what’s being displayed. the screen.
According to The edgeAndroid Auto is also being treated to an update, mainly in the form of unlocking the Uber app on any vehicle display that is compatible with Android smartphones. This allows Uber employees to access their interface through the infotainment screen, rather than relying solely on a smartphone mounted somewhere on the dashboard.
Automatic evolution also stated that the Android Auto update will include web browsers, meaning users can access websites on the infotainment screen without unlocking a paired smartphone. Vivaldi and Google Chrome are already available as standard on vehicles with the Android Automotive OS.
Analysis: Google accelerates in-car entertainment
Tesla has long offered its customers the chance to catch up on TV shows, movies and music via Netflix, Spotify and YouTube, and enjoy some top games, thanks to its easy-to-use and app-compatible operating system. But the rest of the automotive world has been rapidly catching up in recent years.
This is because some of the world’s most recognized brands have historically chosen to create their own infotainment platforms, compromising usability by annexing customers who simply want a familiar Android or iOS experience.
However, the more recent adoption of Android Automotive as a platform means that those same car brands can leave the time-consuming and expensive development work to Google, while at the same time offering their customers what they really want: access to their favorite in-car apps.
It seems that Google is slowly expanding its in-car entertainment offering, but the recent update is mainly aimed at the American market, where the likes of Max and Peacock are available.
We’ll have to wait and see if similar updates are rolled out across Europe and beyond, an important factor given that Renault, Porsche, Volvo and Polestar are all seeing huge sales figures outside the US.