Google Cast is coming to Android Automotive and Rivian vehicles, new apps too

Ben Schoon | May 15 2024 - 10:03 am PT

As a part of Google I/O 2024, Android Automotive is getting support for Google Cast, new apps, and more.

Launching first on Rivian vehicles – which have not been publically confirmed to be running Android – Google Cast will be rolling out to Android Automotive. This allows users to connect to their car’s WiFi network and cast content from Android and iOS to their car’s display.

We’re also pleased to share that Google Cast is coming to cars with Android Automotive OS, starting with Rivian with more to follow. This allows you to easily cast video content from your phone or tablet directly to the car while parked. If you don’t already offer casting in your app, this is a simple way for your content to reach new audiences in the car.

A native YouTube app is also coming to Rivian vehicles, and both features will arrive in an OTA update.

Beyond just Cast, new entertainment apps are also coming to Android Automotive.

On “select” vehicles with Google built-in, apps for Max and Peacock will be available to install from the Google Play Store, as will the game Angry Birds. Those should end up being just the first of a new wave of Android Automotive apps, though.

Google is introducing a new set of tiers of app quality for cars. This will allow more apps to work on cars even if they aren’t fully designed for everything a car screen has to offer. “Tier 1,” Google explains, will be “the best of what’s possible in cars” with hardware optimization, support for driving and parked modes, and the ability to use additional instrument clusters and panoramic displays. “Tier 2” supports the main display in a car and can work with parked and driving modes. “Tier 3,” meanwhile, just means the app works in the car, usually only while parked. Effectively, this is just bringing a tablet app to the car’s display. Google will also be proactively reviewing apps that may fit into Tier 3 and making them available for install. Developers can request a review if they feel their app qualifies.

Google also announced that there are now over 200 million vehicles on the road using the phone-based Android Auto experience. The Uber Driver app is also now on Android Auto, Google says. The app was announced last year, but has seen a very slow rollout since.