Android Auto’s unofficial video player now lets you play games in your car

Waiting in a parked car while someone runs into a shop is hardly the most exciting way to spend a few minutes. That familiar scenario apparently gave the developer behind Android Auto app Xtream Player an idea: why not put a few simple games on the dashboard for those moments when the car isn’t moving? That idea is now part of Xtream Player v1.4.0, which also brings new icons, YouTube Music improvements, and playback fixes.

Xtream Player is the successor to Fermata Xtream, which became popular among Android Auto enthusiasts for bringing video playback and other unofficial features to compatible car displays. The developer had previously announced that Fermata Xtream was being sunset, only to return with a completely rewritten app. The latest version 1.4.0 now gives that project another significant upgrade.

The headline addition is a new Games add-on, available to Premium users. The first release includes simple games such as Chess and Connect 4, with the developer promising to expand the selection over the coming months. There is, however, an important warning: these games are intended only for use while the car is parked.

The update isn’t just about games. Both Free and Premium editions get redesigned in-app icons, while YouTube Music gets several quality-of-life improvements. Its trial pop-up can now dismiss itself automatically, and playback should continue with the next song in the background.

Xtream Player 1.4.0 also fixes an annoying issue where using the side-panel skip control could leave the display black. Premium users get additional FS Play fixes, including a fix for YouTube stuttering and the restoration of seek, rewind, and fast-forward controls.

Several user-requested features are also moving forward. A particularly handy one would allow users to browse YouTube from the phone app, tap a video, and have it open on the car’s display. The developer says work on this feature is already underway.

Another requested improvement is a proper EPG program guide for IPTV and M3U channels. At the moment, EPG data only shows what’s currently playing because the full guide wasn’t implemented in the rewritten app. The developer says it’s on the roadmap.

The developer is also investigating a bug that can cause some infotainment systems to switch back to the radio after a call. And users may not have to wait long for the next batch of fixes, with the developer teasing another update for this weekend.