At Google I/O 2025 we had the opportunity to know the news that will soon enrich Android Automotive and Android Auto, respectively the iteration of Android integrated directly into the cars (a real operating system) and the platform that allows mirror Some features of the smartphone on the car infotainment system.
Among the novelties announced by Google at the Developer Conference, the support for the video apps is included which, starting from Android 16, will also be supported by Android Auto: however, there will be a small difference (for the better) compared to as far as possible at the moment on Android Automotive.
Android Automotive awaits the audio mode for video apps only
The operating system Android Automotive supports video apps: at the moment, however, they are usable exclusively when the vehicle is parked.
However, Google is studying a way to allow you to use video apps even when the vehicle is in motion, and this is explained during the developer session New in-Car App Experiences With which the news that will enrich the operating system and the platform for the infotainment of the cars have been illustrated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud09zuxhst4
Specifically, the development team will make sure that when the vehicle is in motion, the video apps will continue to work but in audio mode only: the functionality will substantially read the march grafted on the vehicle; When the vehicle is in “P” (Parking), the video flow will be regularly shown; When the vehicle is in “D”, only the audio will be reproduced. In this way, users will be able to continue following, for example, a sporting event without the distraction of the video but limiting themselves to following him “in radio commentary”.
This functionality is currently available on Android Automotive (with Android 14 base or later versions) but it is accessible exclusively through an early access program and, to be exploited, it is necessary that the developers of the video apps implement the support for functionality in their apps.
Considering that Android Auto will also support the video apps starting from Android 16, it is legitimate to hypothesize that even in this case the audio only mode may be available to listen to the audio track of the videos played by the video apps also on the move.
