Android Auto's latest beta update shows Google is still working on in-car video streaming

There's nothing wrong with keeping things simple, but if you have the option to utilize Android Auto in your vehicle, it's an experience that can change things for the better. And we aren't just talking about the UI, but having access to tons of useful apps that can be an absolute game-changer when you're on the road.

Naturally, Google has continued to make improvements to Android Auto over the past year or so, delivering new and useful features, along with small refinements here and there. Recently, Google rolled out its Android Auto 16.2 update, and folks on the beta already have access to what's next with version 16.3.

Still a work in progress

And while we'd love to say that there is something amazing in the beta update, truth be told, there isn't much change on the surface. However, by looking at the code, we do get to take a peek behind the curtains to see what Google is doing behind the scenes, to ensure that Android Auto is going to have an exciting future.

By deep diving into the code, we can often find little snippets here and there that show off what's potentially to come. The folks at 9to5Google have done the hard work for us, and found some small things within the latest beta, like a new flag for video apps, along with another one for the long talked-about light theme.

It's been a long time

Android Auto's light theme is something that has been talked about for some time now without any real results. It's been "almost ready" for close to a year now, and the feature was first spotted a year before that.

It's unclear why something like this is taking so long, when light and dark modes have been pretty much the norm on Android for quite a while. While it's frustrating not to have this available already, there are probably good reasons why Google is taking its time.

So, for the time being, we'll just have to wait and see. But hopefully it will come sooner, rather than later.

The entertainment boost we need?

Now, while you can use a ton of different useful apps with Android Auto, and even play games, video apps are ones that are currently off limits. And while it'd be great to be able to just kick back and watch some Netflix on long road trips, we understand why this kind of thing isn't available.

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As mentioned previously, Google does seem to still be working on the feature, as an additional flag around the feature has been added in the Android Auto 16.3 beta. But there doesn't seem to be anything more at this point, so we will just have to continue to be patient.