GM’s electric future does not include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The automaker’s upcoming lineup of electric vehicles will no longer support popular smartphone display systems in favor of a native Google infotainment system. the movement, It was first reported by Reutersmeans that owners will not be able to display their phone screen on their car’s dashboard infotainment screen.
The decision aims to provide “seamless access” to the new Google-powered infotainment experience, including original versions of Google Maps, Google Assistant, Audible, Spotify and more, the GM says in a fact sheet explaining the new strategy.
“As a result of this strategic approach, we will move beyond mobile offering systems, namely Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.”
“As a result of this strategic approach, we will move beyond mobile display systems, namely Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,” the company added.
GM’s move to restrict access to CarPlay and Android Auto, which is expected to begin with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV, will help the automaker get more data about its customers’ driving, listening and charging habits. It could also help inform subscription products of the future, as automakers across the board strive to generate more revenue than just selling cars.
General Motors confirmed that the primary motive behind the decision is to improve the navigation and charging experience for future owners of electric cars. For example, when an owner directs an electric vehicle to a charging station, the vehicle’s original software can begin to warm up the battery so that it is prepared for a faster charge.
“This will increase range and reduce the time the customer spends at the charging station,” Kelly Cusinato, who leads communications for GM’s digital business, said in an email. “A vehicle can know more than a phone can.”
It can also help inform future subscription products
The decision to restrict Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a reversal from General Motors several years ago when the automaker first announced its deal with Google to integrate the company’s tech apps into its fleet. For this news, we asked customers if customers could still expect to mirror their smartphones to their car’s screen if they wanted to, and GM said they would.
But Cusinato cautioned that existing GM vehicles with Google built-in, including the GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and a host of gas-powered vehicles, won’t lose access to CarPlay and Android Auto. “This is all about creating a better, more integrated experience for electric vehicle customers of the future that will give them everything they need and more over time,” she said.
General Motors, which owns brands like Cadillac, Chevy, GMC, and Buick, doesn’t completely cut off access to CarPlay and Android Auto. Car owners will still be able to connect their phones to their cars via Bluetooth for hands-free calling, voice text messaging and music streaming. GM’s gas-powered vehicles will continue to allow CarPlay and Android Auto.
Google has made deals with major automakers over the years to use its own native infotainment software. The tech giant offers two products: Google Built-in, when the car has apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store built right into the car; and Android Automotive OS, the car’s entire infotainment system runs on Android. Honda uses Google’s built-in software, while Volvo and Polestar have opted for Android Automotive. Some automakers use both.
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