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Mobile gaming: Even as charging times for electric vehicles continue to decrease year over year, in-car entertainment options are simultaneously increasing to combat boredom during those pit stops. Volkswagen has just announced a partnership with AirConsole to bring the cloud gaming platform's mobile experience to its infotainment systems.
Also available for Google TV and Amazon Fire TV, AirConsole is a cloud-based gaming service that transforms your vehicle's infotainment display into a full-fledged gaming console, with players using their smartphones as controllers. No extra hardware is required. The service's catalog features over 130 titles, spanning racing, sports, puzzles, and more. Many of these games are already popular on platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Volkswagen plans to roll out AirConsole integration starting in mid-September across several countries in Europe for its ID.7, ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 electric models. The technology will also be available in multiple ICE models, including the newest Passat, Tiguan, Golf, and Golf Estate, by the end of the year. Support for more European countries and additional games is expected in 2025.
To get started, passengers simply open the AirConsole app on the vehicle's infotainment system while the car is parked. They then scan an on-screen QR code with their smartphone to sync up and start playing. The system supports multiplayer, so the whole family can join in on the fun during longer stops, such as charging sessions. Playing while the car is moving is not possible, obviously for safety reasons.
AirConsole has already made inroads with BMW and Mini vehicles. With Volkswagen now joining the mix, automotive gaming is set to become more popular than ever.
The wider in-car entertainment scene has become more vibrant as dashboard displays continue to grow in size. Volkswagen's ID.7, for example, features a massive 15-inch infotainment panel, making it ideal for gaming. Last year, Tesla rolled out Steam PC game integration for its Model S and X vehicles. Not to be outdone, Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled plans to offer "triple-A" gaming experiences through an upcoming cloud platform collaboration with Microsoft.