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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

#321

Post by davemp »

iainmerrick wrote: post #156
tadfisher wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, that and the fact that no manufacturer ships a double-DIN hole in the dash any more, so it's pretty much impossible to get an aftermarket head unit. That said, there was one Chinese Android-based unit that was made for the 3rd-gen Mazda 3, replacement screen on the dash and everything.

Not to disagree, but as I recall it, the big problem with modular head units was that people would just break into cars and steal them. Having your car radio stolen was fairly common when I was a kid.

I’m sure that could be addressed with some sort of crypto signing strategy.

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

#322

Post by pandemicsoul »

TulliusCicero wrote: post #179
tnel77 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I personally love CarPlay. A requirement for my next vehicle is wireless CarPlay, and I will not even begin to consider it if it does not have that. Some people want ventilated seats or a V8. I want CarPlay. I think this is a very silly move by GM that they will quickly reverse.

Just rented a car with wireless Android Auto, and while it was convenient when it worked, it occasionally dropped the connection and I had to manually restart it (and sometimes it would refuse to connect). On one day where I was on a road trip, this happened several times. Also, when I wanted to turn it off temporarily, there's no easy way to do so on either the phone or car. Gotta turn the car off or dive deep into…

I have a BMW and my Apple CarPlay kept doing this to me where it would disconnect and then take like 30+ seconds to reconnect itself. When I looked for support, the stuff I read was unclear whether it was a CarPlay issue or an issue with the BMW software, but eventually it did fix itself and I rarely have an issue with it anymore (and when I do, it's more of a "blip" than a full disconnect).

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

#323

Post by johnwalkr »

brookst wrote: post #317
dionidium wrote: post #276

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The first is that all of these in-car systems are pretty dated even after a couple of years. CarPlay can't really get out of date any more than iOS can get out of date. It's just a software push. The main problem with the stereo in my car is that not everything is in CarPlay, so you have this sort of absurd situation where CarPlay is supposedly just one function of many, when obviously FM radio should just be an ap…

It’s a little silly, but it avoids the complexity of the car needing to describe every feature to CarPlay. It’s very hard to create an abstraction that allows for any capability, setting, message to be displayed and interacted with. For instance, some 4x4’s have 2D inclinometers. Modern trucks have all sorts of crazy optimizations for towing. Requiring CarPlay to understand and adopt new car-specific features gets cr…

Integration for AC, radio, backup cameras, etc is coming this year.

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

#324

Post by metaphor »

vanilla_nut wrote: post #256
crote wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 thi…

> 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.

Correct on "wild profit margin", but your numbers are wrong according to FY22 10-K filing[1]:

  Services Revenue       = $78.129B
  Services Cost of Sales = $22.075B
  Services Gross Margin  = 71.7% ($56.054B)
[1] https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/0000320193220...

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

#326

Post by explaininjs »

jterrys wrote: post #170
explaininjs wrote: post #161

Anyone else much prefer just mounting your phone on the dash, instead of a separate carplay system? Bonus points if the mount has wireless charging. This way there’s no new UI to learn, and you never are stuck using a subpar carplay-variant UI (looking at you, Gaia)

I'm finding myself in the odd position of desiring an older car to not put up with the bullshit. I don't need OnStar, I don't need lane assist, I don't need self driving. I don't need my fucking car to brake for me when it thinks I'm in danger. Just let me drive. Now they're trying to monetize heated seats and connecting my phone. It never ends. I don't need cars as a service. I just need a car. The joy of seeing car…

Yep, that's why I drive a 20 year old truck. Interestingly, I've driven 60k+ miles in this truck (and others like it) and maybe 1-2k in all other vehicles, including those with auto breaking/etc. The only times I've been in incidents where auto breaking was needed was when I had it. No clue why, perhaps something about all the features lulled me into a false sense of security where I took my eyes off the road for much longer than I would in my truck.

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

#327

Post by explaininjs »

beachy wrote: post #203
explaininjs wrote: post #161

Anyone else much prefer just mounting your phone on the dash, instead of a separate carplay system? Bonus points if the mount has wireless charging. This way there’s no new UI to learn, and you never are stuck using a subpar carplay-variant UI (looking at you, Gaia)

Nope, for me using a phone is a much worse experience. 1) Small screen hard to read with ageing eyes from that distance, or to operate touch controls precisely. This alone is a deal breaker, anything that requires more focus or concentration is A safety hazard and a no go. 2) unsightly charging cables hanging around. 3) no backing camera support. Also a safety hazard. 4) no handsfree support i.e control volume, skip…

> Small screen hard to read with ageing eyes from that distance, or to operate touch controls precisely. This alone is a deal breaker, anything that requires more focus or concentration is A safety hazard and a no go.

I could see this being an issue for some eyes. For me though the phone's touch screen is actually far easier to operate due to its location next to the steering wheel/driver's side support column. Rather than hovering my hand in the air at full reach to interact with a central unit, I keep my hand braced against either the wheel or the handle on the column and have full support when interacting with the phone.

> unsightly charging cables hanging around.

Guilty as charged. I did wire the cable to my wireless charger behind the trim in an appealing way, but my new phone doesn't even support wireless charging so I have a dangling wire now.

> no backing camera support.

My vehicle doesn't have a camera, but I've never really needed it. It comes from the time when the rear windows were large enough to clearly see everything going on out the back. This is before regulations shifted to make the rear columns massive, block all your visibility, and force you to use the camera rather than your own sense and intuition. If I had a tiny child I might reconsider.

> no handsfree support i.e control volume, skip songs without looking or lifting hands from the steering wheel

I installed a device (USA Spec BT45-TOY) that allows my phone's bluetooth to connect to the stock head unit with full support for steering wheel controls. All the magic of bluetooth with 0 LCD screens shining at me (so long as my phone screen is off).

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

#328

Post by explaininjs »

tempaccount420 wrote: post #310
explaininjs wrote: post #161

Anyone else much prefer just mounting your phone on the dash, instead of a separate carplay system? Bonus points if the mount has wireless charging. This way there’s no new UI to learn, and you never are stuck using a subpar carplay-variant UI (looking at you, Gaia)

Makes texting less comfortable though IMO.

You actually like the Car Play texting implementation? Doesn't it refuse to show the text message content on screen and prohibit keyboard entry?

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

#329

Post by scarface74 »

Mindwipe wrote: post #189
scarface74 wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This very attitude is what prompted Apple to drop Google for its native Maps app.

And was a catastrophe for Apple.

I doubt very seriously that Apple lost any sales and there were third party apps like Mapquest that offered real time directions before the Maps app had them at all.

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

#330

Post by RhysU »

rblatz wrote: post #294
RhysU wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't want CarPlay or Android Auto. It's one more thing I have to fiddle with. One more thing to fight while someone beside me or behind me becomes impatient. Bluetooth is meh. I would rather have an aux cord. From the days when we connected systems by physically connecting systems. I am in the car to drive, a delightful escape from interacting with a phone.

What will you connect to your car with an aux cord?

Occasionally, a CD player.
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