Developers can start developing apps for Android Automotive at I/O 2019

Google I/O 2019 is less than a week away, but that is not stopping the Silicon Valley company from giving us a peek into what’s to come. First up, Google plans to open up media app development for the Android Automotive OS.

We have seen tidbits of the Automotive OS for over a year, with several cars running a beta version of the firmware at last year’s developer conference. With vehicles such as the Polestar 2 coming to market soon, Google is finally getting developers ready for the new platform.

To do this, Google is expanding the Android Auto framework to help developers work with a variety of screen sizes, input methods, OEM customizations, and regional driver safety guidelines.

Google provided us with the below examples of how media apps will look on Android Automotive displays.

Just like with Android Auto as we know it, Google will soon allow developers to create apps that go beyond media consumption. The search giant has not announced when it will open these areas up, but it has plans to enable navigation and communication app development soon.

Google will spend a decent amount of time at I/O ’19 helping developers build apps for this new automotive environment. In addition to hosting a “How to build Android apps for cars” session at the developer conference, the Android Automotive team will be hosting office hours and app reviews.

Developers at I/O 2019 can then beta test their apps on reference units like the one seen below at the festival’s codelabs area.

Developers interested in developing for Android Automotive OS can join the new Google Groups community and StackOverflow.