Are you tired of just listening to music or navigating with maps while waiting in your car? Get ready for a whole new level of in-car entertainment! Google has just released the latest version of Android Auto, version 14.1, and it’s packed with a feature that many have been waiting for: games! Yes, you read that right. You can now play select Android games directly on your car’s infotainment screen, turning those otherwise dull moments into fun gaming sessions.
This update, which is currently rolling out to beta users, marks a significant step forward for Android Auto, transforming it from a purely functional tool to a more engaging in-car experience. Imagine pulling up to pick someone up, waiting for your coffee, or taking a break during a long drive, and instead of just scrolling through your phone, you can dive into a game of Candy Crush Soda Saga or race in Beach Buggy Racing right on your car’s large display.
The initial rollout of Android Auto 14.1 includes support for four popular Android games:
- Candy Crush Soda Saga: For those who love matching colorful candies and solving puzzles.
- Farm Heroes Saga: Another popular puzzle game where you collect crops and defeat the Rancid the Raccoon.
- Angry Birds 2: The classic slingshot game where you launch birds to topple structures and defeat pigs.
- Beach Buggy Racing: A fun-filled kart racing game with various tracks and power-ups.
This selection offers a good variety of casual games to keep you entertained. While the list is currently limited, Google has indicated plans to expand the library of supported games in the future. This move hints at a potential future where your car’s screen could become a more versatile entertainment hub during downtime.
One crucial aspect of this new gaming feature is safety. Google has implemented a smart restriction: these games are only playable when your vehicle is parked. As soon as you shift your car out of park, any ongoing game will automatically close, and the game shortcuts will be grayed out in the app drawer. This ensures that drivers remain focused on the road and are not distracted by games while driving. This thoughtful implementation addresses potential safety concerns and makes the feature a responsible addition to Android Auto.
Getting started with gaming on Android Auto 14.1 is straightforward. The games need to be installed on your Android smartphone first. Once installed, and after you’ve launched and set them up on your phone at least once, they will appear as available apps on your car’s infotainment screen when your phone is connected via Android Auto. This works with both wired and wireless Android Auto connections, offering flexibility for different car setups.
The gaming experience itself might vary depending on your car’s make and model, particularly the processing power and screen size of your infotainment system. Newer vehicles with more advanced systems are likely to offer a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. Older vehicles might experience some lag or minor issues.
Beyond gaming, Android Auto 14.1 also introduces another notable feature: a new full-screen mode for apps. This update allows apps to open in a true full-screen view, maximizing the use of your car’s display. To exit this full-screen mode, users can simply swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal an “Exit” button. While this full-screen capability is currently implemented for games, it suggests that Google might extend this to other app categories, such as video streaming apps, in future updates. Imagine being able to watch YouTube or your favorite streaming service on the entire screen of your car while parked – the possibilities are exciting!
This update follows the recent stable release of Android Auto 14.0, which brought features like temperature controls within the app for some vehicles. The rapid succession of these updates indicates Google’s ongoing commitment to improving and expanding the functionality of Android Auto.
Currently, Android Auto 14.1 is available through the Android Auto beta program. This means that only users who have enrolled in Google’s testing program can access and try out these new features right now. If you are not a beta tester, you will likely have to wait a few more weeks until Google rolls out the stable version of Android Auto 14.1 to all users. However, there is a possibility that Google might keep the gaming feature exclusive to the beta program for a while to gather feedback and refine the experience before a wider release.
The introduction of games in Android Auto 14.1 is a significant development, bringing a new dimension of entertainment to the in-car experience. While initially limited to a few games and only playable when parked, this update opens up exciting possibilities for the future of in-car entertainment and highlights Google’s continuous efforts to enhance the Android Auto platform. So, if you find yourself with some downtime in your car, get ready to level up your waiting game with Android Auto 14.1! Keep an eye out for the stable release to enjoy these fun new features on your own car’s screen.
