In a surprise move, General Motors (GM) has announced that it will begin to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in its electric automobiles. As a replacement, GM is partnering with Google on its own car navigation, control, and entertainment platform.
What Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Have Been Offering
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow drivers to integrate their iOS and Android smartphones with their cars.
Although there are some platform-specific differences between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they both include the following core features.
- Dashboard: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems allow users to mirror their smartphone screens on the vehicle’s dashboard display.
- Voice Assistant: Siri or Google Assistant for hands-free voice interaction.
- Digital Car Keys: Unlock your car using your smartphone
- Navigation: Maps, Trip Routes, Traffic Alerts
- Calling and Messages: Make and receive phone calls as well as messages and alert notifications.
- Entertainment: Music streaming, and other entertainment apps (podcasts, news, audiobooks, calendar).
GM’s Partnership with Google
With GM’s new strategic partnership with Google, many features of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-type features will be offered in the Google-centric system, as well as additional features being developed. One focus will be not requiring drivers to use their smartphones to access those features.
From Mkie Hichme Executive Director of Digital Cockpit Experience: “We have a lot of new driver assistance features coming that are more tightly coupled with navigation…We don’t want to design these features in a way that is not dependent on the person having a cellphone.“
GM has indicated that new GM EV customers that buy models equipped with the new system will get access to Google Maps and Google Assistant at no extra cost for eight years. As things progress GM will be offering the Spotify music service, Audible, and other services via their system instead of drivers having to rely on their integrating their smartphones with the car.
Tip: Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be discontinued, the new system will still support the ability for drivers to stream music or make phone calls with iOS or Android smartphones via Bluetooth.
As the Google-centric system evolves, GM sees a lot of potential subscription revenue growth potentially reaching $20 to $25 billion by 2030.
In addition to what it sees as benefits for the driver, is that with its own system, GM will be able to collect more data on how consumers drive and charge their EVs.
Tip: Drivers should be wary of driving and car use data collection as there is a move amongst several local and state government entities to charge drivers by the mile. If GM actually shares this data with the government it may not just include the miles car owners drive, but where they drive. Just something to think about…
In addition to GM, Google definitely benefits from its partnership with GM as it increases its market presence in the auto market. Apple can’t be too happy about that. Chevrolet (which is a GM brand) had been touting that it was offering more car models with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto than its competitors.
Ironically, the first vehicle to stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV.
Tip: As it stands now, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available on GM’s ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, at least for the time being. By 2035, GM’s goal is to phase out the production of new internal combustion cars.
Related Reading
Asa
April 3, 2023 at 4:42 pm
I’ve never owned a GM vehicle and won’t begin now.
If I were Apple, I’d come out with a security play on this touting how GM/Goog are tracking/tracing you, unless of course, Apple decides to join in the fray.
Your “tip” is a real thing. At the end of the day, there’s always a way to track you from cell tower to tower, and turning off many of the easy ways (location, etc.) helps. I don’t use either service in my current ride and won’t be buying a new car that utilizes this tech and/or that spies on me more than it already is (or finding a way to disable it). Hint: I’m sure there will be ways to use the OBD port to hack this system.
Woody
April 3, 2023 at 11:35 pm
My next vehicle won’t be a GM based on what they want to do with EV’s. What’s next, a subscription to enter your vehicle?
Ian White
April 4, 2023 at 12:14 am
Woody,
They can also disable it if you are late on a payment.
Best,
Ian White
GM
April 3, 2023 at 11:35 pm
General Motors…say, isn’t that the auto manufacturer which supplied WWII military vehicles to both the Americans and the…uh…shall we say ‘Germans’?
AK Fish
June 23, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Customers are getting charged for three years of OnStar and other services whether they use them or not. GM is making a $1500 option mandatory on all new Buick, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles. Combine that with no android auto/car play in place with GM subscription plan (EVs first and the non-EV models are next), I won’t be buying GM for my next new vehicle (from a prior GMC, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick & Chevrolet 10-vehicle owner).