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GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

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Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#81
post #33

I've never owned a car made by GM, but a decision like this guarantees I never will. I don't buy their take that the safety issues are because Android Auto and CarPlay are buggy and have connection issues and other crap that cause people to use their phone directly. I've only had a new enough car to use Android Auto for a year and half now, but I've literally never encountered a bug that required me to touch my phone…

My GM-made car does indeed have connectivity issues with CarPlay at least a few times a month. Turning my phone's Bluetooth off and on again fixes it, which makes me wonder if the problem really is on the phone side. On the other hand, it happens more often when switching between a built-in car app (like the 360 cameras app) and the Carplay app, which probably implicates the car's software more? In any case, it is pr…

That is a GM problem. I've never had Carplay connectivity issues across 4 different brands.

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#82
post #69

Genuine question: Are there any auto manufacturers that do a good job of just supporting CarPlay and Android Auto and getting out of the way?

I haven't had any real issues with Mazda over the years? I got it installed by them on a 10 year old car a few years ago and had no issues that weren't "the entire system wouldn't turn on" issues with a flaky battery or heat/cold extremes. The initial load time isn't stellar, but it loads into the phone interface cleanly and all the physical car buttons interface well with the phone. No complaints.

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#83
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I imagine quite a lot of people will be. There might be room for after market head unit replacement for these new models.

Is that really possible anymore on modern vehicles that come with fancy screens?

Yes. There is often some custom work that may be needed. For example something like this:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/225846973112?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkp...

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#84
I am sure they will be as successful as VW's software revolution, cariad, that's ejected a couple of CEOs and almost brought down the CEO of the parent. Here's a link in English: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/05/volkswagens-troubled-so... but the full story is utterly scandalous.

I've seen zero evidence that GM is even slightly more competent in this area.

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I imagine quite a lot of people will be. There might be room for after market head unit replacement for these new models.

are you basing that on the entire history of after market replacement head units, or did you just make up something in favor of your preference?

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Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#86
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My GM-made car does indeed have connectivity issues with CarPlay at least a few times a month. Turning my phone's Bluetooth off and on again fixes it, which makes me wonder if the problem really is on the phone side. On the other hand, it happens more often when switching between a built-in car app (like the 360 cameras app) and the Carplay app, which probably implicates the car's software more? In any case, it is pr…

That is a GM problem. I've never had Carplay connectivity issues across 4 different brands.

I've had connectivity issues with wireless CarPlay in my BMW, though admittedly they've been very rare recently.

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#87

My last 3 cars have all supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. First a Honda, then a GM, now a Hyundai. All three had some issues with cord becoming disconnected. In all cases this was a car manufacturer problem because they aren't giving enough thought to the sizes of the phone and how they will lay in the inadequately sized phone compartments. I had periodic Android Auto crashes on the GM. Since it was only on t…

[deleted]

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#88
July 2022: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/22/apple-carplay-could-be-a-tro...

Not sure how they arrived at the number (maybe only new vehicles), but there was a claim that 79% of US carbuyers would insist on carplay support

  Apple engineering manager Emily Schubert said 98% of new cars in the U.S. come 
  with CarPlay installed. She delivered a shocking stat: 79% of U.S. buyers would 
  only buy a car if it supported CarPlay.

  “It’s a must-have feature when shopping for a new vehicle,” Schubert said 
  during a presentation of the new features.

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#89

you know whats unsafe? Getting rid of physical buttons and putting everything on a touch screen with no tactile feedback and constantly changing the position of things - looking at you tesla. All things considered though: im not likely to buy any new car. I'd rather buy an old and busted early 70s boat, and stuff in modern running gear.

I was sort of convinced by this argument, theoretically, until I actually experienced the alternative. I've had a Toyota for four years now with all physical switches, but the complexity and number of controls is absolutely mind bogging large. I can't operate these physical switches without looking at inscrutable, small labels in awkward places. A centralized screen which allows clear view of the road at the same tim…

[deleted]

Re: GM says it's dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because they're unsafe

#90

Call it what it is.. they like the control of their in car entertainment systems and they don't want external companies taking that part of the pie. It's okay gm, we understand. Let's hope you are able to make a compelling competition to this, otherwise your sales will suffer. Traditional car software is very very poor for whatever reason. I don't think that car manufacturers have the mindset and capability to make e…

My 2010 BMW has excellent infotainment software. Better than any new car I have driven (all rentals).

Navigation is easily controlled with the iDrive knob. Previous destinations are sorted in reverse chronological order. New destinations are easy to enter. Adding destinations works as expected (insert/append). When the fuel gauge reaches 1/8 of a tank the car prompts to add a gas station on the route which can be accepted with a single button press of the main iDrive knob. When a trip is in progress I can search on the route by category for points of interest like rest stops. It picks up traffic information over AM radio and uses that information when routing.

Similarly pleasant experience when operating the radio/built in mp3 player. Everything can be done with iDrive but there are also dedicated buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard.

Climate control is managed by physical knobs.

Bluetooth calling is supported but Bluetooth audio (music) is not.

Overall an excellent experience. It's obviously dated and a little slow but completely serviceable even today. The system is completely self-contained so it does need map updates from time to time. OTA updates, even on wifi would be nice.

From a design perspective I have no complaints at all, it is well integrated with the car and otherwise stays out of the way. A helpful tool.

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