> Instead of CarPlay or Android Auto, drivers will instead rely on the Escalade IQ’s included Google built-in infotainment software.<p>It's called Android Automotive OS (not to be confused with Android Auto). Many OEMs are now using Android Automotive for infotainment, but also support CarPlay/AA. This is a terrible move, but GM is just trying to copy Tesla by controlling the entire UX and putting it some of it behind a subscription (like Tesla's Premium Connectivity).
If they allow CarPlay or AA, they are essentially passing on a subscription service that could bring in additional revenue post sale. It's greedy and dumb.<p>I have seen quite a few add on modules for Tesla's that enhance the head unit functionality for minimal cost/effort. Eg. Wired and wireless "boxes" for Tesla's that allow CarPlay and Android Auto on aliexpress for $70.
It should have no screen at all and high-quality pushers and displays... or Carplay/Auto because there is no way an old car company like GM can build software properly.
It's a battle of control of what information the consumer sees and the stream of what private information is pilfered back. Apple/Google have a deathgrip on smart phones by disallowing root, and automakers have taken note of the playbook.<p>I used to say "in the future your car is unlikely to start start without wifi", but now that promise has come true, I'll just say "your fridge is unlikely to make ice without wifi".
I know some people at GM who work on in car interfaces. I remember asking one a few years ago why people would prefer an in-house solution over Carplay/Android Auto, and the answer I got was that there's a solid chance people won't. Guess we're about to find out.
It’s interesting to see how a lot of new gas cars have Apple CarPlay / Android Auto but all of the new EV cars are going towards custom OS which essentially leads to worse user experiences for manufacturers who aren’t well versed in software.
Wow. Gotta feel bad for the engineers and other developers who put a lot of sweat and tears into this car, only to have its market prospects fucked beyond all belief by rent-seeking bean counters at the head office.
To me it feels like GM realizes that Apple is commoditizing them. Making the car essentially a dumb-terminal for the Apple experience (as they want to do for other cars we well). GM now has a choice: (1) allow apple to make the GM car experience just like every manufacturer or (2) try to preserve some GM-ness in the experience.<p>GM's actions seem logical to me. But there's no way in hell I'm ever buying a GM if they stop me from using CarPlay. It's well demonstrated that they can't make good software.
This seriously took GM off the list for me. Only two things I absolutely have to have in my next commuter car:<p>1. It's electric.
2. It has CarPlay.<p>So no Chevy Bolt now. I guess it is a Ford Mach-E then.
Instead of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or some “custom OS”, all I want is a standard video input that will be displayed on a screen.<p>To make this even better, route the touch input of the screen back to the device, in some simple way (for example, as a mouse position, not sure of any touch protocols).<p>Any software has a pretty good chance of getting deprecated or irrelevant during the lifetime of a car. Just think of what is still actively supported in the mobile world from 10 years ago. My 2013 car doesn’t have Android Auto or CarPlay, but has built-in “apps” for Stitcher and Pandora, which I never used. The bluetooth connection still works, but is really flaky with newer iPhone (a 2013 Android worked exceptionally well, however).
I just got a Rivian R1S and lack of CarPlay is by far the worst thing about the car. The built in Spotify app is janky, podcasts and music can’t continue where it left off, built in map seems to only direct me to busy roads. It’s so annoying I’m thinking of selling (for a profit).<p>Why is this happening? Car executives aren’t stupid, and must realize software is not core to their business. Unless they plan to start selling phones down the line they can never ‘win’ this battle. It’s clearly a huge waste of internal effort.<p>Does Apple try and take a % of the car sale as a license fee? Even if the fee were $2000 per car… that could be passed on to the car buyer. I would pay $2000 today to get CarPlay into my Rivian.
Hope you don't have to enter your Spotify account/password on the car screen to just listen music. I already have in my phone all my service and account, I don't want to relogin on everything on TV or car screen. I don't care about smart TV since a have a Chromecast.
Google. Snort. There’s zero chance this ends well. Maps will be fine, but Spotify, Tidal, MLB apps need to be available or your losing customers.<p>And no one is paying an extra subscription on their car for entertainment.
I'm not going to buy a car that is going to charge me a subscription for internet service to use the apps I can already use through Android Auto. Will never happen.
There is so much misinformation and just completely baseless speculation in this thread. Come on people, at least read the article before commenting. This is sad.