Vivaldi Creates 1st Android Automotive Web Browser, Debuts On Polestar 2

Vivaldi, the web browser company founded by the founder of Opera, Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner has launched the first web browser of its kind for Google's Android Automotive operating system which powers electric cars. It will first debut on the Polestar 2 which is a joint venture between Geely and Volvo and likely will come to Volvo's vehicles as well considering Volvo has also adopted the OS for its own cars. This also makes it the first full-featured desktop browser for a car. 

This development comes after it released its first browser for Android smartphones after developing a very rich and private browser for Mac and PC. It has a vision of developing a browser for all devices where people can access the web on. This browser can be found on the Google Play Store on the Android Automotive platform. 

"We are really proud to introduce our browser to a car for the first time and specifically with a brand like Polestar. Our technological and sustainability ambitions are well aligned. We value transparency, privacy, and responsible innovation - including the fact that we have our servers in Iceland, one of Polestar's newest markets. Like Polestar, we are a challenger brand, and we take a Scandinavian approach to design, that is based on trust and listening to our users," says Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, CEO at Vivaldi.

It is the first web browser of its kind for the Android Automotive OS, which is used by Polestar

On the Polestar 2, the app brings full web browser functionality to the 11-inch center display of the car that is powered by Android Automotive. Vivaldi has worked with Polestar to ensure passenger and driver safety. This means it can only be used when the car is parked and streaming content will be audio-only if driving commences. No data is stored by the car and when logged into the Vivaldi account the data is shared across devices for instant syncing. Again this, data is not shared with Polestar. 

We have listened to our owner community, and it's great that we could answer their desire for a browser with Vivaldi as a nice Christmas present," says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. 

"Now there is basically no limit to the web content you can explore in Polestar 2 - even some of your favorite streaming platforms," he added. 

It is available to all Polestar 2 customers in European, North American, and Asia Pacific markets. It will also get regular updates like its siblings on Windows, macOS, Android and Linux.