Good news: Android Auto is now available to all users as a separate app

The latest significant name to take the wheel is Gala Music. The music platform announced support for Android Auto this week, allowing users to listen to their favorite songs in the car without looking at their phones.

Users were already able to listen to Gala Music content in the car by connecting their phone to the car’s speakers, but thanks to Android Auto support, the app is now available on the infotainment screen. Users can control playback, discover new music, browse genres, and access connections from the infotainment display.

Gala Music’s debut on Android Auto proves that Google’s in-car experience has not lost its appeal to customers and developers, despite the push towards Android Automotive and native vehicle software platforms.

Google is also working on a massive influx of apps to Android Auto thanks to a new project that opens the door to in-car experiences in the Google Play Store.

The company announced this week at I/O that it will begin bringing apps built for larger screens to cars. This process includes an automated review of apps published on the Google Play Store and software that can run on Android Auto. These software will be available on your screen when your vehicle is parked or, thanks to a driving-optimized experience, when you operate your smartphone. Connected to the head unit.

Google has unlocked new app categories with Android Auto, but the biggest release is undoubtedly the YouTube app. The search giant plans to allow video apps in Android Auto, and while it didn’t specifically mention YouTube as one of the supported apps, the company’s video platform will definitely make its debut in the car. YouTube is already available on Android Automotive, allowing users to watch videos while parked.

In addition to YouTube, Google plans to bring games and the browser to Android Auto as part of its app expansion strategy. Google Chrome and Vivaldi are likely to be among the first browsers to arrive on Android Auto, allowing users to access his web from the infotainment screen. This experience is only available when the car is parked, and the UI will automatically lock when the car starts moving.

Google hasn’t shared the ETA for the release dates of all these apps, but with all the releases, Apple will have no choice but to expand the CarPlay app ecosystem as well. Apple is scheduled to hold its next developer event in June, so expect big news regarding CarPlay, with more cars equipped with the new generation of CarPlay and new apps joining the platform.