Tech Desk 
Oct 07, 2024
Google Play Store apps are rumoured to get optimisation soon, and this would be specifically compatible with tablets and cars. This upcoming update is most likely related to the mobile apps program of the Car-ready initiative as announced by Google at this year’s Google I/O 2024.
Modern cars feature tablet-like centre consoles, perfect for driving the car and running apps. Google's Car-ready program aims to bring tablet apps onto car infotainment screens to make them ready for parked use.
The program reportedly clusters apps into three tiers:
- Car Differentiated: Apps built from the ground up for cars, which switch between driving and parked modes.
- Car Optimised: Apps engineered specifically for use in either the driving or parked mode.
- Car Ready: Automatically enable large-screen compatible apps when parked, without any developer effort
How would Car-ready apps work?
If the rumours are true, Google would be testing large-screen compatible mobile apps for safety and compatibility in cars. Eligible apps would be automatically opted-in for distribution on cars with Google built-in and be available in Android Auto.
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What to expect?
Although the rollout of this feature has yet to be confirmed, the rumours suggest that Car-ready apps are scheduled to roll out in categories like video, gaming, and browsers and more categories can be expected to be added in future.
Google Car-ready apps benefits
This rumoured feature would provide several such benefits.
- It will enable users to experience more apps on their car's infotainment display.
- Developers can increase the reach of apps without significant changes.
- As the apps are optimised particularly for large screens, the experience should be much better for a user.
