I’m really jealous of Chromecast for Android Auto

Google I/O 2024 saw a very cool Android Auto announcement that I’m already a little jealous of. Google Cast, the technology behind Chromecast streaming devices, is coming to cars running Android Auto. This means you’ll soon be able to cast videos, apps and more directly from your phone to your vehicle’s display.

The initial list of compatible vehicles is limited to models such as the Rivian R1T, R1S, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Explorer, but is expected to grow quickly. This means that a vehicle with a suitably sized screen on the dashboard will behave similarly to an Android/Google TV box, allowing the rider inside the vehicle to freely cast media.

Why this is really useful

I didn’t see it explicitly stated, but I suspect, at least regarding the video, that this feature doesn’t work unless the car is in Park. But the ability to quickly cast media while waiting in the car is a feature I often wish I had in my car.

A few years ago, I managed to find a reasonably priced Tesla Model Y and bought it for a great deal. I really like it, but have been wishing for this newfound casting ability ever since I bought it. Because of its huge screen and frequently he supercharger stops for 10-15 minutes. “Have you seen this?” A kind of casting session.

Sure, Tesla has YouTube built in, but it’s not the same experience as someone else being able to hop on the network and show videos on their display. There are also interactive games that use casting protocols to cast the main game onto a larger screen while allowing everyone to interact from their phones. These are all things I like to do in my car.

Google didn’t reveal a specific timeline for this release, but those using Android Auto can look forward to future media casting. Again, this is something I’m very jealous of as a Tesla owner. So once it’s rolled out, I hope it’s available to a lot of people.