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Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

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Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#41

Post by suction »

hospitalJail wrote: post #34
glanzwulf wrote: post #4

Hope he convinces them to go back on the stupid decision that is to abandon Carplay/Android Auto.

I personally like having a car with these, but I'm not convinced it will be the death of GM like people predict. >GM was not affected by PRISM, so they could make claims of having a privacy oriented vehicle. That messaging does really well on HN and I imagine other communities as well. >The other thing is deeper integration. Yes it sounds like a security nightmare, but you will get additional features this way. >You…

[dead]

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#42

Post by lbussell »

ubermonkey wrote: post #39
glanzwulf wrote: post #4

Hope he convinces them to go back on the stupid decision that is to abandon Carplay/Android Auto.

That's just an amazingly boneheaded move, isn't it? I absolutely will not buy another car in the foreseeable future that lacks Carplay. It's too good, and too much better than any carmaker's attempts to integrate with phones or music players that came before. (I also won't pay EXTRA for it; looking at you, BMW.)

It's really not that good. On my Mazda, Apple CarPlay won't even let me change albums while I'm driving. Which encourages me to then pick up my phone, take my eyes off the road to unlock it with my face, and fumble around with the music app until I get to what I want. Mazda even disables the touch screen while driving, forcing you to use their navigation wheel, which is supposedly safer! So I don't understand why CarPlay still tries to keep me from doing the thing it was designed to do.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#43

Post by bastawhiz »

ubermonkey wrote: post #36

I'm stunned someone like GM could entice anyone from top-tier tech firms AT ALL, regardless of compensation.

Some folks really love what they do, and being given the keys to the castle to do what they love the way they want to do it is an awfully enticing opportunity.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#44

Post by p0wn »

lbussell wrote: post #42
ubermonkey wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's just an amazingly boneheaded move, isn't it? I absolutely will not buy another car in the foreseeable future that lacks Carplay. It's too good, and too much better than any carmaker's attempts to integrate with phones or music players that came before. (I also won't pay EXTRA for it; looking at you, BMW.)

It's really not that good. On my Mazda, Apple CarPlay won't even let me change albums while I'm driving. Which encourages me to then pick up my phone, take my eyes off the road to unlock it with my face, and fumble around with the music app until I get to what I want. Mazda even disables the touch screen while driving, forcing you to use their navigation wheel, which is supposedly safer! So I don't understand why Car…

Your problem isn't CarPlay, it's Mazda's integration.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#45

Post by tough »

interestica wrote: post #20
throw9away6 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably, I just don’t think executives can drive that kind of innovation. Especially those who are in sustaining roles in already large and successful companies.

But you just came up with his new slogan for their software+vehicles : "driving innovation"

Maybe GM needs to hire throw9away6 for driving innovation in their software dpt

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#46

Post by throwaway50603 »

glanzwulf wrote: post #25
ghaff wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that lack of Carplay would be a complete deal-breaker for me but it would sure be a huge entry in the "cons" column.

Having used proprietary infotainment systems in the past and currently using carplay, for me it would 100% be a complete deal-breaker. (Unless of course I'm buying a car that predates the technology)

I'm choosing cars that predate the technology based on availability of aftermarket CarPlay module.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#47

Post by throw9away6 »

tough wrote: post #45
interestica wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But you just came up with his new slogan for their software+vehicles : "driving innovation"

Maybe GM needs to hire throw9away6 for driving innovation in their software dpt

I’d Probably be just as ineffective but you could pay me less

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#48

Post by RandallBrown »

LarryDarrell wrote: post #26

The 2022 Chevy Silverado I rented died at 488 miles on the odometer. The roadside assistance mechanic said the transmission "lost data connection to the engine". Later, a tow truck had to drag it onto it's flatbed as the rear wheels were locked up. Also, apparently the tailgate is electric now. And for some reason it stopped working when the transmission died. Also also, there is no way to turn the truck off? When it…

> but I am gobsmacked at just how terrible modern vehicles are

CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, automatic lights (brights, on/off, turning), cameras, remote start from my phone, and lots of other things are awesome modern additions to cars that I wouldn't want to go without anymore.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#49

Post by todd3834 »

ubermonkey wrote: post #36

I'm stunned someone like GM could entice anyone from top-tier tech firms AT ALL, regardless of compensation.

Some people like to jump into extremely difficult situations if they think they have enough power to fix them. These situations usually have amazing rewards if you succeed.

Re: Ex-Apple VP Mike Abbott Joins General Motors as Exec Vice President, Software

#50

Post by spenczar5 »

LarryDarrell wrote: post #26

The 2022 Chevy Silverado I rented died at 488 miles on the odometer. The roadside assistance mechanic said the transmission "lost data connection to the engine". Later, a tow truck had to drag it onto it's flatbed as the rear wheels were locked up. Also, apparently the tailgate is electric now. And for some reason it stopped working when the transmission died. Also also, there is no way to turn the truck off? When it…

> I know customers are dumb and are easily impressed by cheap gadgetry, but why did we have to throw the baby out with the bath water?

I don't think it's about gadgetry. I think there are a few other things going on. None are really pro-consumer, in my opinion.

- Software can be updated. Overhauling mechanical parts is way harder. This lets the manufacturer go a little quicker with development - you can "fix it in post."

- Software can be easier to reuse across models of vehicles (in theory). "We'll figure out software-based tailgates just once, and can use it everywhere."

- Software can be controlled remotely. For example, Ford filed a patent to disable cars remotely if the owner misses a payment [0].

- Software can help build a monopoly on maintenance. Electronically controlled stuff is way harder (even impossible) to diagnose if you don't have maintenance software and computers to interface with the car. So the manufacturer can control more of the maintenance chain.

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[0] https://fortune.com/2023/03/02/ford-patent-late-payments-shu...

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