Introduction to Android Auto’s New Gaming Feature

After replacing Google Assistant with Gemini, Google is now introducing a new feature to Android Auto that allows users to play games on their car’s touchscreen. The next update to Android Auto 14.1 will include a selection of games that can be played while parked.

Available Games and Initial Impressions

The first few games to be launched in the new Android Auto 14.1 beta update include Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing. A video demonstration of this feature showed a user struggling to control Beach Buggy with a single finger while leaning over in the driver’s seat. It is clear that having two thumbs available with the screen directly in front would be easier.

Technical Issues and Limitations

These games may not be optimized for Android Auto just yet, as Angry Birds 2 failed to start and was "grayed out" in the app drawer. Beach Buggy Racing still showed the option for tilt controls, which may not be practical for most users. Google has released a video of a user playing Farm Heroes Saga, and the game fits the car’s aspect ratio well.

Potential Use Cases and Safety Concerns

The full-screen app experience is not meant for the person in the driver’s seat, but it may be useful for a kid waiting in the car. However, the center console seems like a less-than-ideal place to play a game, regardless of which seat you’re sitting in. This feature may be seen as extraneous, but it could be an effort to entice more Tesla buyers. Tesla cars have been able to play some games natively since 2019, but the company faced criticism after drivers started playing games while driving.

Future Implications and Alternative Solutions

Google may see gaming as a way to get users interested in Android-based autonomous driving. The next step could be to integrate Android into all autonomous vehicles, courtesy of Waymo. This is where games in cars might make more sense. Alternatively, users could simply unplug their smartphone and play games there, eliminating the need for this feature altogether.