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

finance.yahoo.com

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

#351

Post by seanmcdirmid »

browningstreet wrote: post #9
bdcravens wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the only reason, but was definitely one reason that contributed to the decision to cancel my Model 3 order and go with a Kia EV6 instead.

I said my next car would have to have CarPlay but the Tesla software in my Y is good enough to live without it. I rent a lot of cars with CarPlay, and like it, but now that the Tesla software supports both Apple Music and Spotify, I’m good. That said, I wouldn’t buy a car that supported Google Carwhatever but not Apple CarPlay.

Tesla is the gold standard for in car infotainment. I wouldn’t trust GM or even google to be as good at software as Tesla without them establishing a track record first.

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

#352

Post by geoelectric »

hedora wrote: post #338
Tagbert wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And I don't need that level of integration. The passive CarPlay UI projection is exactly what I want. It's not all about driving to charging stations. That is a rare occurrence.

CarPlay works surprisingly well for driving to charging stations. You tap add waypoint (or whatever) in Apple Maps, then tap EV charging station, or tap siri, and say "DC fast charger" or whatever. (Tested with a Chevy Bolt). However the navigation isn't as well integrated with range, etc, as was common on older vehicles. If this wasn't a blatant "have Google pay us to force our customers to give Google their data" m…

My Ioniq 5 and (iirc) Teslas charge better if you use the native nav, as it starts preconditioning when a charger is the destination. For mine in particular, I’m not sure there’s another way to fire off preconditioning. May or may not matter but it can make a difference in cold.

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

#353

Post by mleo »

hedora wrote: post #337
genmud wrote: post #302

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually got rid of a chevy truck for this precise reason. GMs design choices in their god-awful infotainment system was so annoying I couldn't stand using it. I got rid of that thing within a year and traded it for a F150, which had a significantly better UI and support for apple carplay (even though it required it to be plugged in). Its like nobody ever used their vehicles before they shipped it. Some of my favor…

I recently drove a brand new Chevy Bolt. It seemed to have a navigation system, but whenever I tried to activate it, I think it tried to make a phone call to a human(?). Anyway, it doesn't have a keyboard, and doesn't seem to even have onboard voice recognition. Hard pass. Car play support was decent about 80% of the time. The other 20%, I had to delete the phone pairing and repair to get it to reconnect. I wasn't pa…

I have 2019 Bolt. I don’t use any of the native infotainment UI. The navigation probably required OnStar subscription and why you were getting connected to a person to take credit card. I use the screen with wireless CarPlay adapter. Very few problems, more with the adapter, and never had to pair the phone more than once. The car is fine, though I would replace it. I drive so little I can not justify the cost of new car, even with trade-in.

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

#355

Post by jiggawatts »

rhtgrg wrote: post #271
helmsb wrote: 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 fidelit…

You are being down voted in part because you're factually wrong. Apple Carplay is not one-way projection. The phone receives inputs from the car, such as screen touches, the microphone audio from the driver for phone calls, button presses, GPS signals, and even wheel speed information for navigation in tunnels.

The reason this integration is not better is in no shape, way, or form Apple's fault. It is 110% caused by the atrocious hardware and software in cars, which is literally decades behind the rest of the world.

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

#356

Post by jiggawatts »

kstrauser wrote: post #277
kipchak wrote: post #206

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Toyota themselves have started offering upgrades of older models to support CarPlay or Android Auto. Costs about $200.

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

#357

Post by Reason077 »

MBCook wrote: post #279
Reason077 wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ”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 p…

> “GM doesn’t have a Tesla quality infotainment system”

Yet.

Having poked around with a Polestar, Google’s infotainment software is actually very good.

It’s certainly in the same ballpark as Tesla’s. Clean elegant design, tight integration to the car’s systems, fast smooth performance. And has clear advantages over Tesla in some aspects (ie: ability to install 3rd-party apps).

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

#358

Post by benhurmarcel »

helmsb wrote: 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…

The huge advantage of having the phone running the infotainment is that you already pay for the phone's data connection. If the car does it you need to pay an additional subscription to get that data connection.

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

#359

Post by Terretta »

DANmode wrote: post #328
helmsb wrote: 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…

These in-dash displays should be universal, with a female USB (C?) port nearby for the user to attach their preferred device. Same with most desks.

Agree with you on desks!

We build our desks standard with OWC TB4 dock (same OEM part as Brydge or Kensington's TB4s) and a 3 way watch+phone+airpods charger with pivot head for the phone. Indeed the dock has four TB4/USB-C, and 4 USB-A ports as well.

What amazes me (not really, it's par for course) is even the most modern furniture makers are still building 12 watt (2.4amp) USB-A ports into their desks and conference tables instead of 100w - 240w chargers.

Desks should have a fireproof box underneath that can hold GaN chargers such as this one like a cartridge:

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Station-WOTOBEUS-5-Ports-Char...

With ultra short and heavy duty connector cables to a replaceable plug strip.

As a super easy retrofit though, just plug this underneath a desk or standing desk, and set the flat part on top next to the monitor(s) stand(s):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SG31NPT/

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

#360

Post by nichos »

flyingcircus3 wrote: post #61
KMnO4 wrote: post #4

I don’t think I would buy a car that didn’t have CarPlay. I’m an iPhone user and have no interest in changing my phone. People reject cars all the time for even more trivial things (oh — this one doesn’t have wireless charging? Next.), so I can’t imagine this being a smart idea for GM.

The reactions in this thread are interesting, because they seem to imply that this is the final straw that has convinced us to not buy Chevrolets and Buicks, as opposed to the last 30+ years of of their products being generally terrible.

That's a very 80s view of GM.
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