Android Auto’s Weather App Drought: Where’s The Weather Channel?
Nearly two years ago, Google promised a sunny forecast for Android Auto and Android Automotive users: the arrival of dedicated weather apps. However, a major player, the weather Channel, remains conspicuously absent, leaving drivers in the dark.
the rollout of weather apps on Android Auto has been a slow burn. While apps like Weather & Radar, which launched in February 2023 and received a significant update in February 2024, and MyRadar, which debuted in February 2024, have provided some relief, the absence of a prominent name like The Weather Channel is noticeable.
This slow rollout stems from an “early access” program, announced by Google in May 2023. This program,intended to expand app support to include weather,conferencing (Zoom and Microsoft Teams),and IoT apps on both Android Auto and Android Automotive,has yielded mixed results. While some apps have arrived, others, including The Weather Channel, remain elusive.
google showcased The Weather Channel app for Android Automotive in September 2023,but user reviews on the Google Play Store have been less than stellar. This raises questions about the app’s overall development and its potential for a successful Android Auto launch.
The lack of progress is concerning. with no new significant weather apps appearing on Android Auto and The Weather Channel still missing, many are wondering if the app will ever materialize. Google’s original May 2023 statement mentioned The Weather Channel as part of the “early access” program for weather apps, but the prolonged delay suggests a possible shift in priorities, perhaps limiting the app’s availability to Android Automotive only.
“The IoT category is available for all developers, while weather is in an early access program. In the weather category, The Weather Channel app will join other weather apps like Weather & Radar later this year.”
The limited availability of weather apps on Android auto is a significant drawback for many drivers. The absence of a widely recognized and trusted weather source like The Weather Channel is particularly frustrating. The situation highlights a need for Google to expedite the approval process and broaden support for weather apps on android Auto to provide a more comprehensive and user-pleasant in-car experience.
Android Auto weather App limbo: A Slow Rollout
American drivers eagerly anticipating a wider selection of weather apps on their Android Auto systems may be disappointed.A recent update from Google, updated on December 10th, 2024, reaffirmed its strict limitations on third-party weather app development. The tech giant continues to restrict access to its in-car platform, allowing only developers participating in a limited early access program to publish weather apps for Android auto and Android Automotive.
this policy, initially announced in mid-2023, remains largely unchanged. The lack of new weather apps hitting the market as than suggests a slow and cautious approach from Google. While the company hasn’t publicly explained the delay, the limited availability of weather apps on Android Auto continues to be a point of frustration for many users.
The Ongoing Wait for More Choices
The question on many drivers’ minds remains: ”What weather app do you want on Android Auto?” The current limited selection leaves many seeking alternatives to the few currently available options. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges developers face in accessing and integrating with Google’s in-car platform.
More on Android Auto
The limited availability of weather apps is just one aspect of the broader Android Auto ecosystem. The platform’s evolution and the ongoing challenges faced by developers continue to shape the user experience. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
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