Cars have come a long way from back in the day. Nowadays, many cars come with infotainment systems that are basically like a tablet. You can download apps, watch videos, see your navigation on a larger screen, and so on. If you happen to own a car that has a system with Google built-in, the company has announced some changes. This includes a new layout to Google Play designed with cars in mind.
Google Play Store gets updated layout for cars
According to Google’s blog post, the redesign is meant for cars with Google built-in. These are the cars that run Google’s software directly, so no phone is required. That makes it different from Android Auto, which would require users to pair their phone with the system.
According to Google, the new Google Play Store layout for cars adapts to the shape, orientation, and size of your vehicle’s display. Since carmakers can’t seem to settle on a standard in terms of screen size and proportions, that’s actually a smart and useful fix.
The homepage now puts featured apps, new releases, and key app details up front. You can download an app with a single tap. There are also curated collections that change depending on whether your car is parked or moving. The store already carries more than 700 apps for these cars.
A few new ones are joining the lineup, including STARZ, Firefox, Ludo King, and JioHotstar. These are meant for parked time, which is perfect if you’ve ever sat in a school pickup line with nothing to do.
Better in-car media features
In addition to the new layout, YouTube gets an interesting update. While your car’s parked, you can watch videos right on the dashboard. When you shift into drive, the video switches to audio-only. This lets you keep “watching” whatever you’re watching without a break. However, you will need a YouTube Premium subscription.
This might be useful if you’re watching a podcast or a music video, and switching to audio-only won’t really impact the overall experience. Plus, it makes a lot of sense from a safety POV. Google pointed to GM vehicles with large center displays as good examples, including the new 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Those big screens make the most sense for parked viewing.
The post Google Play Is Getting a Makeover for Your Car’s Dashboard appeared first on Android Headlines.
