No more CarPlay for GM EVs
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General Motors plans to phase out widely-used Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technologies that allow drivers to bypass a vehicle's infotainment systems, shifting instead to built-in infotainment systems developed with Google for future electric vehicles.
Stay ahead of the market
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems allow users to mirror their smartphone screens in a vehicle's dashboard display.GM's decision to stop offering those systems in future electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, could help the automaker capture more data on how consumers drive and charge EVs.
GM is designing the on-board navigation and infotainment systems for future EVs in partnership with Alphabet Inc's Google.
The decision to phase out CarPlay smartphone projection technology is a setback for Apple Inc in the competition with Google to capture more real estate on vehicle dashboards in North America. GM's Chevrolet brand in the past boasted of offering more models with CarPlay or Android Auto than any other brand.
GM has been working with Google since 2019 to develop the software foundations for infotainment systems that will be more tightly integrated with other vehicle systems such as GM's Super Cruise driver assistant. The automaker is accelerating a strategy for its EVs to be platforms for digital subscription services.
By 2035, GM's goal is to phase out production of new combustion light-duty vehicles.
GM would benefit from focusing engineers and investment on one approach to more tightly connecting in-vehicle infotainment and navigation with features such as assisted driving, Edward Kummer, GM's chief digital officer, and Mike Hichme, executive director of digital cockpit experience, said in an interview.
"We have a lot of new driver assistance features coming that are more tightly coupled with navigation," Hichme told Reuters. "We don’t want to design these features in a way that are dependent on person having a cellphone."
Buyers of GM EVs with the new systems will get access to Google Maps and Google Assistant, a voice command system, at no extra cost for eight years, GM said. GM said the future infotainment systems will offer applications such as Spotify's music service, Audible and other services that many drivers now access via smartphones.
"We do believe there are subscription revenue opportunities for us," Kummer said. GM Chief Executive Mary Barra is aiming for $20 billion to $25 billion in annual revenue from subscriptions by 2030.
GM plans to continue offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring systems in its combustion models. Owners of vehicles equipped with the mirroring technologies will still be able to use the systems, GM said.
Drivers also will still be able to listen to music or make phone calls on iPhones or Android smartphones using Bluetooth wireless connectivity, GM said.
I love CarPlay in my car. Works well, and I can pick what apps I want for navigation (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, etc). I have a wireless adapter, so my car sees my phone as soon as I get in - no need to plug in.
I wonder how much Google paid GM.
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I think also that if they switch to an internal system, they will be able to suck up the customer data rather than Apple or Google. They will then sell (or somehow use) that data to make money.
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Yeah that's dumb. Apple CarPlay is fantastic.
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@89th said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
Yeah that's dumb. Apple CarPlay is fantastic.
After car-shopping recently we realised there aren't actually that many things that make much of a difference between rival models. This could be one, and most likely not in a good way for GM.
I was only joking
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@89th said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
Yeah that's dumb. Apple CarPlay is fantastic.
After car-shopping recently we realised there aren't actually that many things that make much of a difference between rival models. This could be one, and most likely not in a good way for GM.
@Doctor-Phibes said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
@89th said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
Yeah that's dumb. Apple CarPlay is fantastic.
After car-shopping recently we realised there aren't actually that many things that make much of a difference between rival models. This could be one, and most likely not in a good way for GM.
Same here. In 2018 we were between a Honda CRV and a Toyota Rav4, but the Toyota didn't yet support CarPlan so we went with the Honda.
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Of course, on the positive side you get a GM car instead of some foreign rubbish.
Right?
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@jon-nyc said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
I have wired now. I should buy the adapter
This is an updated version of what I have.
Works great.
What's interesting is that it remembers the last phone it was connected to. So, if Mrs. George goes out for a drive, it sees her phone. However, if we go together, it still remembers her phone.
When I travel alone, it forgets her phone and connects to mine.
The only hassle is that you might want to be sure that contacts, etc are the same, or at least similar on both phones.
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@89th said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
Yeah that's dumb. Apple CarPlay is fantastic.
After car-shopping recently we realised there aren't actually that many things that make much of a difference between rival models. This could be one, and most likely not in a good way for GM.
@Doctor-Phibes said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
not in a good way for GM.
Yup, they'll try to sell tired old OnStar with a few new features and they'll want a monthly subscription.
I like the Bluetooth now. Whenever I get in the car it just starts playing music from wherever it left off.
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@Doctor-Phibes said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
not in a good way for GM.
Yup, they'll try to sell tired old OnStar with a few new features and they'll want a monthly subscription.
I like the Bluetooth now. Whenever I get in the car it just starts playing music from wherever it left off.
@Copper said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
I like the Bluetooth now. Whenever I get in the car it just starts playing music from wherever it left off.
It's the only thing keeping me sane on the drive to work. "Siri, play Miles Davis". It's a lot better than WGBH.
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Meh! These fancy electronic systems will likely not be able to keep pace with smartphone advances. I am prepared to use a smartphone or tablet in a car independently of the car's electronic system.
@Axtremus This is what CarPlay helps solve. It allows a car's entertainment (and maps, messages, etc) interface to remain current based on compatibility with CarPlay (and Android Auto) even as the phones become more advanced.
Further, there are only so many "things" you can or should do while driving, so even if phones become way more advanced, you still need to not look while texting, etc. Unless you're talking about tablet use as you sit back in an autonomous vehicle.
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@Axtremus This is what CarPlay helps solve. It allows a car's entertainment (and maps, messages, etc) interface to remain current based on compatibility with CarPlay (and Android Auto) even as the phones become more advanced.
Further, there are only so many "things" you can or should do while driving, so even if phones become way more advanced, you still need to not look while texting, etc. Unless you're talking about tablet use as you sit back in an autonomous vehicle.
@89th said in No more CarPlay for GM EVs:
Further, there are only so many "things" you can or should do while driving,
Or shouldn't do.
Funny story: A few years ago when i was in Taiwan, and this was before a lot of cars had big screens, this taxi driver had set up a screen in his car to watch videos. I get in the taxi and there is a porno movie playing!!!
