Google continues to advance its car offering with Android Auto., releasing version 14.1, which incorporates one of the most striking features to date. While this platform usually focuses on performance and stability improvements, this time the update takes the user experience a step further, with the introduction of video games and the emergence of a mysterious new app that has raised quite a few questions.
This version also sows the first seeds of what could be a deeper integration with Google's artificial intelligenceThe appearance of a beta app with no apparent functionality has given rise to various theories, many of which point to Gemini, the successor to the already veteran Google Assistant.
Video games on the car screen: a new form of entertainment
With Android Auto 14.1, Users have the option to play from the vehicle screen for the first time., as long as the car is completely stopped. The initial list of games includes popular titles such as Candy Crush, Angry Birds 2, Farm Heroes Saga y Beach Buggy Racing. These games are presented to fullscreen, which significantly improves the viewing experience from the dashboard.
The system automatically deactivates this function once the car resumes driving.This ensures that entertainment doesn't interfere with driving and that safety remains a priority.
To access this feature, you need to have a phone with Android 15 or higher. Additionally, the rollout is gradual, so it may not be available to all users immediately.
Control is carried out from the vehicle's touch screen., and although the system has been designed with this in mind, some players have reported slight delays or graphical imperfections, a consequence of the fact that many of these games were not developed with a viewing environment like the one provided by a car in mind.
How to activate the games and requirements for their use
To use this functionality, you just need to have the game installed on the mobile and having run it at least once previouslyThis allows Android Auto to recognize it and display it as an option in the vehicle's interface. It's also important to have granted the necessary permissions on your phone before attempting to unlock it from the car.
If you don't want to wait for the automatic update from Google Play, there is the option to manually install the APK file from repositories like APKMirror. To do this, the user must correctly identify whether their device is ARM or ARM64, the latter being the most common option on current mobile phones.
Although game compatibility is still limited, It has already been confirmed that the catalogue will be expanded in the future.Titles like Roblox and Solitairy Harvest, already available on Android Automotive, could be coming to Android Auto soon.
Display has also been improved by removing the quick access bar when running full-screen media. This new full-screen mode promotes immersion and simplifies navigation in the interface..
A mysterious app in beta 14.1: progress or failure?
A good portion of users who have installed version 14.1 in beta phase have encountered a An app with the classic Google logo that serves no apparent function. When trying to open it, it only shows a brief message: “No new messages during this trip".
This behavior has given rise to multiple theories. Some specialized sources point to a development still in the experimental phase linked to the new Gemini ecosystem, the artificial intelligence that will replace Google Assistant on various devices, including Android Auto. To better understand how Gemini will be implemented in Android Auto, you can check out the article on Gemini and its integration with Android Auto.
Other users speculate that this app could be the embryo of a new notification management tool or even a feature that collects pending messages for later reading, in order to reduce distractions while driving.
What is clear is that This app does not match the regular version of the Google Search or Discover app., even though it uses the same name and logo. Its mere presence in the system and its current lack of functionality suggest that it's an unfinished experiment or was added to this beta by mistake.
What role could Gemini play in all this?
The current context points to a progressive transition toward artificial intelligence across all Google products. With the arrival of Gemini on smartphones and computers, Android Auto is also positioned as an ideal field to receive this technology..
Gemini is expected to allow a smoother and more secure interaction using voice commands, avoiding the need to touch the screen while driving. In addition, it could provide Notification summaries, personalized suggestions, and contextualized responses based on location or traffic.
Everything indicates that this mysterious app, although currently inactive, could be part of that transition, symbolizing the starting point towards a more personalized and intelligent driving experience.
Some also suggest the app could integrate live sports data or timely information from the phone, similar to what Apple has implemented in CarPlay with its latest API for on-screen results.
Uncertain but promising future for Android Auto
Google has not officially confirmed what this new app consists of or when it will be functionally activated. However, The pattern of releases and testing in previous beta versions suggests that they may be internally testing their integration with AI featuresIf you're looking for more information about previous beta versions, we invite you to review the analysis of Android Auto 14.1 beta.
The fact that several users have reported confusing behavior in this beta is nothing new: similar situations have occurred in the past, where experimental features accidentally slipped into pre-release versions. The appearance of this app could simply be one more step in the natural development process..
Until the mystery of this app is solved, Android Auto continues to advance as an expanding platform, which combines safety, usability, and now, entertainment on hold. Meanwhile, playing games from your car while waiting is no longer a pipe dream, but a reality thanks to Android Auto 14.1.
