Gemini AI and Video Apps: Transforming the Driving Experience with Google's Latest Innovations

Android Auto 2025: Gemini AI & Video Apps Revealed at Google I/O

Recently, Apple unveiled their top of the line CarPlay Ultra, for a luxury car brand Aston Martin featuring some stunning visuals for car infotainment system and custom graphics for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more. Google’s response to this is Gemini Live, new app categories, and videos for Android Auto, Android Automotive, and cars with Google built-in.

As Google introduces Gemini AI for cars, the driving experience is undergoing a significant transformation. In a surprising announcement made by the Android developer team revealed plans to integrate their powerful AI assistant and more apps including video available for both Android Auto and cars with Google built-in systems.

Adoption Rates of Google’s Automotive Platforms

Before diving into the new announcements, it’s worth noting the impressive adoption rates of Google’s automotive platforms. Android Auto is now supported in nearly all new vehicles sold globally, with approximately 250 million compatible cars already on the road. Meanwhile, Android Automotive OS with Google built-in continues its rapid expansion, now powering over 50 different car models, with more launching throughout 2025.

This growth is supported by a flourishing app ecosystem, with more than 300 applications currently available on the Play Store specifically optimized for in-car use. These apps span various categories designed for both driving and parked scenarios, creating a comprehensive experience for drivers and passengers alike.

Gemini AI Integration

The most anticipated announcement from Google I/O 2025 is the integration of Gemini, Google’s advanced AI system, into vehicles. This marks the beginning of a new era for in-car experiences, enabling natural voice conversations and seamless multitasking through intuitive voice commands.

We have detailed how Gemini works on Android Auto in this article. Also, download Android Auto update to get GeminiGemini for Cars will allow drivers to:

Here’s a demo of how Gemini looks like on Android Auto:

For developers, Gemini opens up new possibilities through three core intent formats that allow navigation apps to:

This functionality is expected to roll out in the coming months, giving developers time to prepare their applications for this new AI-powered ecosystem.

Gemini Live Feature

The Gemini Live feature introduces a more conversational AI experience that’s perfectly suited for driving. By simply saying “Hey Google, let’s talk,” drivers can engage Gemini in brainstorming sessions or get assistance with important matters.

This functionality will be available on Android Auto-compatible vehicles in the coming months and will reach cars with Google built-in later this year, including models like the new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, and Honda Passport.

Video Apps on Android Auto

Google unveiled today that video apps will be supported on Android Auto, starting with phones running Android 16 on select compatible cars.

If your app is already adaptive, enabling your app experience while parked only requires minimal steps to distribute to cars.

This means, apps like YouTube, VLC, or any media player can be enabled to play videos when the car is parked. When drive mode is enabled, the videos will not be available.

Enhancements for Developers

Google has significantly expanded the resources available to developers creating in-car experiences. Last year’s introduction of car app quality tiers and Car Ready App has now evolved into a comprehensive framework that guides developers in creating optimized experiences:

Google says, the Car App Library has received notable improvements as follows:

Several new app categories and capabilities are now in beta for Android Auto:

• Media apps: Developers can now build richer, more complete media applications using the Car App Library, allowing for experiences comparable to those on smartphones. During the beta phase, these apps can be published to internal testing and closed testing tracks, with an early access partner program available for production release.
• Communications apps: The communications category has entered beta with simplified integration through the CallsManager Jetpack API. This enables features like message history, upcoming meetings lists, rich in-call views, and more. As with media apps, developers can publish to testing tracks during beta, with an early access partner program available.
• Games: Android Auto now supports games while parked on phones running Android 15 and above. Popular titles like Angry Birds 2, Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, and Beach Buggy Racing 2 are already available. The Games category is in beta, with publishing currently limited to testing tracks unless accepted into the early access partner program.

Google has outlined several exciting developments coming later this year:Source