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GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

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Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the whole "integration" thing was bullshit in the first place, but a proprietary GM system? This marks a return to the days of massively overpriced AM radios. The problem now is the way these systems are physically molded into the car. Back in the day you could put a good radio in. Good luck with that now. All we really needed for the last 15 years was a recess in every dashboard in which to put our already…

There are plenty of aftermarket head units for specific cars. It's not that hard for the manufacturers to make another plastic part. You shouldn't have to though, now that there is this dual communication standard.

It's getting very hard, since lots of modern cars don't have space behind the dash for a head unit, since their infotainment screen is now not commonly attached to the amp.

If your car has space for a head unit, and a fascia is available, and a steering wheel controls adapter is available, and a backup camera adapter (sometimes eight needed for the cars with "birdseye" view systems), and a climate control adapter, and sometimes a navigation system adapter, you might be able to seamlessly install a headunit. It just might cost a lot.

For most modern cars, it's a pipe dream.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#252
post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

had an optional GPS add-on for thousands of dollars I guess it's for people who don't know better. Even a standalone GPS won't cost that much, and as a bonus, you can take it with you.

Built-in GPS has telemetry access and can be much more precise - e.g. in tunnels. 15 years ago, drove a BMW 1 series that was more precise. Today, driving a Volvo XC90, it gets confused in an underground garage and doesn't reset using GPS signal fast enough.

Phone GPS can have L1 L2 L5 these days. There’s unlikely to be much of an advantage. Phone GPS also has traffic data. And you’ve got multiple apps that compete and keep evolving unlike most car systems.

The standalone GPS have a place but I suspect they’re a tiny minority for in-car usage compared to phones.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Nissan LEAF. In 8.5 years, my expenses have included replacing wiper blades twice, cabin air filter twice, filling the washer fluid bottle several times and I’ve looked at the tires and brakes, rotating tires once. It’s been crazy nice. (As the family wrench-turner, even my wife’s CR-V, which is generally low maintenance, has felt like an inconvenient pig for maintenance demands by comparison.)

You... don't need to change brake pads with an EV? Wheel bearings?

The pads are about 2/3 worn on the rear (very small pads) and 1/2 worn on the front. Of course, they'll eventually need changing, but regen braking takes a large amount of the deceleration energy.

Wheel bearings on modern cars are incredibly long-lived. I don't think I've changed one in over 30 years on our family cars.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#254
post #226

Ideally, my car would look like a BT speaker, possibly with a microphone and some controls, to the phone. I don't want a dedicated satnav, I don't want an elaborate in-car entertainment system. The reason is twofold. The first is that all of these in-car systems are pretty dated even after a couple of years. The second is that they tend to be fairly low quality to begin with. The system in my car that integrates with…

Richard Stallman pray for us.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#255
I believe on my 7-8 year old vehicle, the fancy NAV system with larger touch screen was a $700 option. It is, of course, almost completely useless. I don't want to go through its hokey menu system to enter an address or attempt to use its horrendous voice assistant. Even when new I probably only used this once or twice since the iPhone ~4 was so much better at the time.

A UI that is an extension of the phone makes the most sense.

PS I have two data points. My wife's car is slightly newer and a different brand but equally horrendous in different ways.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#256
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GM is expecting $20-25 billion in annual subscription revenue by 2030. Dropping CarPlay and Android Auto will definitely lose them many sales. They are betting the lost sales will be less than the new subscription revenue.

I genuinely wonder how they justify that figure. They could maybe justify a subscription if they offered a significant service, but they are by definition going to deliver a worse experience than CarPlay/Android Auto - simply due to it not being your own smartphone. Why would anyone buy an expensive car which is designed to last a decade while it has essential pre-installed features locked behind a subscription? If t…

The figure is utterly ridiculous. They truly expect to generate a revenue stream 2x the size of Spotify or AirPods? Apple as a whole only makes 21B a year from all services, and they run everything from cloud storage, to synchronization, to an App Store with a wild profit margin from fees.

Of course, all American auto makers have wildly unrealistic plans for electric vehicle adoption in the next 5 years, too -- i think one of them is predicting $600B of revenue from EVs before 2030, when they currently only make a few million a year. Their finance departments must have some good drugs in the water coolers.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#257
There is a problem with using CarPlay on an EV, and that is battery preheating. In a Tesla, Rivian, Mercedes, etc. EV, if you plan your route using the built-in satnav, the car will preheat the battery for charging which is extremely important when you are on a road trip.

Unless CarPlay includes a new interface for these kind of things, I would not be able to consider using CarPlay on a EV I am afraid.

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#259

There is a problem with using CarPlay on an EV, and that is battery preheating. In a Tesla, Rivian, Mercedes, etc. EV, if you plan your route using the built-in satnav, the car will preheat the battery for charging which is extremely important when you are on a road trip. Unless CarPlay includes a new interface for these kind of things, I would not be able to consider using CarPlay on a EV I am afraid.

you can’t plan your trip in the built in stanav then switch?

Re: GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay, Android Auto sparks backlash

#260
post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The most sold EV brand in the US with about 2/3 of market share doesn't allow CarPlay either. Now don't get me wrong, I want my Apple Carplay too. I wouldn't want to buy a car without it. But the argument that "as the shakeup due to EVs begins, even loyal consumers will be considering other makes" I just don't see happen in real life today. Most EV buyers chose a Tesla. No CarPlay or Android Auto in that one.

> The most sold EV brand in the US with about 2/3 of market share doesn't allow CarPlay either. 4.8% of the overall vehicle market.

GM is keeping Android Auto and Apppe Car Play in their ICE vehicles.

Comparing their decision to remove it from their future EVs and buyer decisions with Tesla is a better comparison than comparing it with 95.2% of the other market which will still retain it.

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