Škoda adds Tetris and Spotify to its electric cars
Škoda rolled out a fresh software update for its electric models, aiming to turn charging stops from a tedious wait into something closer to entertainment. The brand integrated the AirConsole gaming platform, a new video service called Škoda Play and built in Spotify. Alongside the fun, it also upgraded its safety toolkit with a warning system that alerts drivers to approaching emergency vehicles.
The updates apply to cars running software version 4.0 or newer.
A games console in the dashboard
Škoda Enyaq and Škoda Elroq now support the AirConsole platform, which brings 15 games into the infotainment system at launch. Among them sits the evergreen Tetris, adapted specifically for Škoda’s interface.
The concept is straightforward and rather clever. The car’s central display becomes the main screen, while passengers’ smartphones transform into controllers. There is no need for additional hardware cluttering the cabin.
For obvious safety reasons gaming only works when the vehicle is stationary. That makes it a neat distraction during rapid charging sessions, when even the keenest EV driver begins to check the battery percentage too often. Multiplayer mode is supported, so passengers can compete against one another, with sound piped through the car’s audio system.
Spotify without the phone, plus NASA in the car
For music fans, the headline feature is built in Spotify. Previously, streaming usually relied on pairing a smartphone with the car. Now the app runs natively in the infotainment system. Drivers simply log in and access music and podcasts directly via the car’s own data connection.
Škoda also wants to become a modest video provider. The new Škoda Play service aggregates news and educational content from names such as Reuters, CNN, Bloomberg and even NASA through its NASA+ offering. As with the games, video playback is restricted to when the car is parked.
All entertainment apps come free of charge for the first three years for new owners, after which subscription details will no doubt become clearer.
Artificial intelligence and a focus on safety
Beyond entertainment, Škoda strengthened the practical side of ownership. The MyŠkoda app now includes an AI based route planner that allows drivers to define preferences more precisely. Users can select charging stops near specific locations or set the minimum battery percentage they want to have on arrival.
On the safety front, the Traffication app gains a new feature developed in cooperation with HAAS Alert. The system warns drivers about approaching emergency vehicles, displaying real time information on distance and direction for ambulances or police cars. It even shows an animation explaining how to form an emergency corridor.
For now the function operates in selected European countries, with a wider rollout planned across the continent. In critical situations, a few seconds matter. If software can buy that time, few drivers will complain about an extra app icon on the screen.
