► Watch Invincible in your Polestar
► Polestar and Volvo team up with Google’s Android Automotive OS
► Coming via to future Volvo and Polestar cars
The Polestar 2 was one of the first cars to use Google’s Android Human Machine Interface or HMI software – and now the search giant’s OS has been given a significant upgrade. Polestar has announced that Android’s Automotive OS can now run Amazon’s Prime Video. Yes, that means you’ll be able to watch Jack Reacher or Invincible in your sustainable EV – but presumably only when its stationary.
The addition of Prime Video follows YouTube in June of 2023, and both video streaming service join a growing roster of apps that include Waze and AccuWeather. Polestar uses Android Automotive OS in the Polestar 2, but it’ll be the operating system of choice in the brand’s forthcoming models – so Prime Video will be available in the Polestar 3 and 4, too.
‘The successful launch and integration of Android Automotive OS in Polestar 2 has proven that we can leverage the best navigation and voice control in the business to make life with a Polestar easier,’ said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. ‘The Google Play Store has also gained a rich variety of apps that offer interactivity and entertainment, from playing games to streaming series.’
Polestar’s parents brand Volvo isn’t far behind: although not as integrated with Google, the Swedish firm’s cars are also going Prime Video via the Google Play Store, with YouTube following soon too. Likewise, it’ll be preinstalled in Polestar cars shipped from 18 September, with a gradual OTA rollout in markets after that.
Two approaches to infotainment
It seems car makers are splitting into two distinct camps when it comes to infotainment: while some brands such as Mercedes are preferring to build their own bespoke operating systems (such as MB.OS) and go it alone, many brands like Polestar and Volvo to an extent are preferring to partner up and leverage the expertise of existing tech giants. Which is best? We’ll find out over the next few years.