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GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

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Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#271
post #240

Regardless of whether you prefer Apple or Google, the benefit of phone projection is that you can get a good experience with relatively low specs from the head unit because the heavy lifting is done by the phone which can be upgraded independently of the car. Even powered by Google, the infotainment system is going to age like milk since you’ll be locked into hardware that will be midrange at best, several years old…

Yes, removing CarPlay is not a great move, and is rightfully being bashed in this thread -- but these kinds of OEM integrations are far beyond a smartphone subsitute, especially given what's coming down the pipe for auto. As you allude to in your comment already, CarPlay is a "projection", a one-way deal -- whereas most of these integrations make heavy use of data from car sensors, which enables a lot of high fidelity features (including self-driving and advanced HUD indicators) that simply aren't possible with a smartphone, no matter how "independently upgraded" it is.

In the future, perhaps phones can integrate better with cars and enable that kind of experience, but we aren't there today.

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#272
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not just Gen Z, 79% of all US car buyers would only buy a car with CarPlay: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/22/apple-carplay-could-be-a-tro... GM will absolutely lose this battle. Idiotic move.

I'm honestly surprised anybody is still buying GM cars/trucks. If you want a truck, get a Ford. They're hands-down the best in class. Or get a Toyota or Honda if you roll that way. If you want an SUV, well, everybody is making those and GM doesn't have any standout offerings. If you want a luxury car then there are much better options that are not only more luxurious, but more reliable, and oftentimes cheaper. If you…

The Bolt is the best EV in its price range (<30K)

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#273
post #267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I replaced a 2-DIN unit in our 2005 Scion xB probably ten years ago with a Pioneer. No need to send a link to a ten-year old product, but go to Crutchfield (if in U. S.), search on "pioneer CarPlay", and you'll get head units with CarPlay from $300 on up. Ours is one of the nicer ones (at the time), and even without CarPlay it's still a nice unit. We've replaced the unit in the Sprinter RV with a JVC (which, from wha…

+1 for Crutchfield - have had nothing but good experiences with them for instructions and support

I've purchased from Crutchfield, as did my father before me, for over 40 years. Not one...single...bad word to say about my experiences. They have almost always exceeded expectations, and to reiterate what you already said, their instructions and support are outstanding. Hence my "go to Crutchfield's site...".

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#275
post #231

This isn’t existential for buying a GM product (I could probably just replace the head unit?), but for a rental, I’ll have to avoid GM EVs. Being able to rent basically any car on the lot and just have CarPlay work, with the only question being USB A, USB C, or wireless, is pretty nice today.

The problem is a lot of these cars don't have head units. They just have all sorts of irregular LCD screens built in to the dash.

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#276

Well this sucks. I bought a Chevy Blazer last year, and it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. Great balance of design, gas mileage, comfort, etc. I was definitely planning to make my next car the EV version of this. Part of that package is flawless CarPlay integration. It’s simplified the music and navigation experience more than I ever thought possible. The only reason I wouldn’t demand it on my next car is if somethin…

> if something demonstrably and overwhelmingly better came along. I'm pretty sure that is what GM's play is here. There's a lot of confusion. They are moving to Google Automotive Services, complete with Android and the Play store where you pick what is on your car. Apple music is one of those apps. > Subscription services tied to my car and not my phone? Data Subscription, it is Google play under it all. > Needing to…

My biggest issue with this would be that the Apple Music app only streams from the streaming service. Those of use happily chugging along with iTunes purchases and iTunes Match are out of luck.

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's where I'm at. Our 2016 Toyota has their horrible Entune system, and however much I like everything else about it, that thing irritates me every time I look at it.

Might be worth swapping out the head unit. Best Buy will sell you a Sony unit with installation for $250 for example.

I've thought about that. I'd want one that supports the backup camera and all that. Do you know offhand if those exist at reasonable prices?

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#278

Back in 2017, I bought a new stereo for my project car. I made sure that it supported Android Open Accessory, so that I'd be able to stream high quality audio over USB. By the time I installed it, it didn't work. Why? Because Google deprecated AOA in Android 8.0, in August 2017. AOA support was removed and USB Audio UAC1 & UAC2 were added. This left existing owners of car stereos produced from 2011 (when AOA was intr…

It’s possible to do playback controls on UAC 2 devices.

The audio device needs to report a 2nd interface to the host for an HID device which can then send forward HID media key events like a USB keyboard.

I’d wager this is how AOA v2 handled it as well–I don’t see any mention of controls in the audio interface docs.

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#279
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not just Gen Z, 79% of all US car buyers would only buy a car with CarPlay: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/22/apple-carplay-could-be-a-tro... GM will absolutely lose this battle. Idiotic move.

> ”GM will absolutely lose this battle. Idiotic move.” I dunno. Lack of CarPlay support has not exactly stopped people buying Teslas. On the other hand, Polestar uses Google’s Automotive OS for it’s infotainment system and yet also supports CarPlay. So the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

Tesla had a very strong alternate benefit to offset the CarPlay loss.

They were basically the only non-low end electric car. Also their infotainment is reportedly pretty good, not the quality of most car makers.

GM doesn’t have a Tesla quality infotainment system, and doesn’t have a “we’re the only choice” level hook.

It won’t work for them. And it may be starting to hurt Tesla as they lose their uniqueness selling point.

Re: GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help

#280
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not just Gen Z, 79% of all US car buyers would only buy a car with CarPlay: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/22/apple-carplay-could-be-a-tro... GM will absolutely lose this battle. Idiotic move.

> ”GM will absolutely lose this battle. Idiotic move.” I dunno. Lack of CarPlay support has not exactly stopped people buying Teslas. On the other hand, Polestar uses Google’s Automotive OS for it’s infotainment system and yet also supports CarPlay. So the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

Lack of CarPlay support has not exactly stopped people buying Teslas.

Oh, it absolutely does. I bought TSLA when it was in the double digits, and I bought lots of it (and long since sold it all). Despite scooping up capital gains with a backhoe, my wife and I never considered a Tesla simply because it didn't have CarPlay. As it applies to any car maker, CarPlay/Android Auto seems like an easy win, and if the company can't be bothered, then we'll look elsewhere.

Lack of CarPlay just doesn't stop everyone from buying one.

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