Sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps back when you’re talking about General Motors. The automaker has plans to go all-electric by 2035, but along with that GM has plans to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the popular phone mirroring software available in most new cars.
As Reuters first reported, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, GM is shifting to built-in infotainment systems that have been co-developed with Google. Does no one remember the hideous in-car systems Apple CarPlay and Android Auto replaced? And does no one remember why these changes were made? Â Two words: Distracted driving.
I guess it’s apropos that this news would go live on the eve of distracted driving awareness month. Sure, you’ll still be able to make calls and use some of your phone apps, but until we see the system in play, we don’t know how easy it will be to use those apps through the car and if you’ll be able to send voice-to-text messages via your texting app.
GM execs told Reuters that the switch to native systems is due to upcoming assisted driving and charging tech that are heavily tied to the in-car navigation system.
Okay. So, why not have both?
Subscription services
At first blush, this looks like a money grab. If you can’t use Waze or Apple Maps through your car, GM will try to force you to pay a monthly fee, similar to its OnStar subscription, for various functionalities – like keeping your maps updated, alerting you to real-time traffic, getting directions to charging stations, preconditioning your battery before charging and using its hands-free Ultra Cruise autonomous tech system.
While owners will get access to Google Maps and Google Assistant for eight years at no cost – what happens then? You’ll be tied to a system you can’t live without, and GM will be able to charge you whatever it wants.
GM said this change will affect only its new electric vehicles, and it will still offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in gas-powered vehicles. You know, until they don’t sell gas-powered vehicles anymore in 17 years.
Big Brother will be watching
In addition to being able to charge you whatever it wants for features you’ve come to rely on, switching to an in-car-only system allows GM and Google to collect a lot of information about how you drive, when you charge and, generally, what you do in your car.
It will control whether you have the most up-to-date map and traffic info, and it will absolutely control what apps and phone-pairing functions are available to you.
The bottom line on ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
GM could prove me wrong, but I think this is a horrible idea. Seriously, does no one remember Toyota’s Entune? That was supposed to allow you do use phone apps through the system but forced you to be dependent on the in-car everything else. It was the quintessential hideous system.
We are trying to get people to touch their phones less while driving, and by a large, I think Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have done that. So, we’re just going to revert to people subversively sneaking peeks at their phones and create more distracted driving?
Good plan.
1 comment
Badger Prof
GM Just lost me. I previously owned a Chevy Bolt EV and used CarPlay in it. I now own a Mustang Mach-E and use CarPlay in it. We plan to buy two more EVs in the next three years. Neither will be a GM product because we want to continue to use CarPlay. One reason we bought the Mach-E instead of the Tesla Model Y was because the Model Y did not allow the use of CarPlay. GM will learn that, just because Tesla has done something, that does not mean it will work for a GM that is still playing catch up. GM just dropped the ball while trying to play catch (up).