Android Auto opens in-car gaming to all developers, with play limited to parked cars

Google said the aim is to give drivers something to do during downtime, such as while an electric vehicle is charging or during a break on a long trip. The catalogue is still small and skews toward young children, with coloring, letter-learning and basic math apps making up much of the list. Among the titles likely to appeal to older players are Angry Birds 2, Candy Crush Soda Saga and Beach Buggy Racing. Heavier mobile games such as Hearthstone, Call of Duty and Super Mario Run are not available.

The system allows play only when the vehicle is parked. Games must be built to detect that the car has stopped, so players cannot start a round at a red light or in slow-moving traffic. If a parked player shifts into gear, the game disappears from the screen, Android Auto returns to its home screen and the game icon is grayed out.

Android Auto does not support full phone screen mirroring, so owners cannot cast any game they like onto the dashboard. Engadget reported that the native approach keeps games correctly sized for car displays and prevents them from bypassing safety measures. Supported titles also work with controllers, which gives some of them a more console-like feel.

Setting up a game requires installing a compatible title from Google Play, either by searching for it directly or browsing the Play Store under Apps, then Categories, then Android Auto. The phone then connects to the car's Android Auto system by USB cable or wirelessly, depending on the vehicle, and installed games should appear on the display. If they do not, users can open Settings, then Connected Devices, then Android Auto, then Customize launcher, and confirm the games are included there. Android Auto's existing GameSnacks titles remain available as an alternative.

In hands-on use, Engadget found Angry Birds 2 played as well in the car as on a phone, with the larger screen an advantage, and described Candy Crush Soda Saga as entertaining and responsive. My Talking Tom Friends was suggested for parents looking for something for children. Beach Buggy Racing 2 proved difficult because steering requires touching the screen with both hands, a problem Engadget said a connected controller would solve.