Android Automotive Updated Doc
Exploring the latest Android Automotive documentation and creating apps for cars across different tiers.
In the latest AAOS release, in addition to Media, Navigation, Point of Interest (POI), and Internet of Things (IoT) apps, the platform now supports Browsers, Games, and Video apps.
There are three tiers of apps that can be built for Android Automotive:
Tier 3 - Car Ready Your app is compatible with large screens and can be used while the car is parked. Although it may not have car-optimized features, users can experience the app as they would on any other large-screen Android-powered device. This tier primarily applies to apps that are meant for use while parked and must meet all the requirements of this tier to be accepted on the Google Play Store.
Tier 2 - Car Optimized Your app provides a great experience on the car's center stack display. To achieve this, your app includes some car-specific capabilities that users can experience while driving or when the car is parked, depending on the app's category. Apps designed for use while driving must meet all applicable requirements in this tier to be accepted on the Google Play Store.
Tier 1 - Car Differentiated Your app is built to work across a variety of car hardware and can adapt its experience for both driving and parked modes. It provides the best user experience, designed for different screens in cars such as the center console, instrument cluster, and additional screens—like panoramic displays seen in many premium vehicles.
Tier 1 - Car Differentiated: This is the highest level of support and is designed for apps that provide a fully optimized experience across various hardware configurations in vehicles. These applications are capable of adapting their interfaces based on whether the vehicle is in driving or parked mode. They can leverage multiple displays within the car, including the center console and instrument clusters, and are optimized for safety and usability. This tier demands strict adherence to guidelines for minimizing driver distraction(
Tier 2 - Car Optimized: Apps in this tier offer a strong experience on the car’s main display but may not fully utilize all available hardware or adapt as dynamically as Tier 1 apps. They should support both driving and parked modes, ensuring functionality and safety during vehicle operation. These apps must meet specific requirements for user interaction and can cater to a range of automotive app categories(
Tier 3 - Car Ready: This tier includes applications that can function on the car's display while parked but are not designed specifically for automotive use. They often resemble typical tablet apps and may lack features optimized for vehicle operation. For example, a media streaming app might fall into this category if it does not have additional automotive-specific functionalities(
Each tier builds upon the previous one, meaning that an app classified as Tier 2 must also meet all Tier 3 requirements. This tiered structure helps ensure that developers create applications that enhance the user experience while prioritizing safety and usability in automotive settings(
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