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GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

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Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#71

My car has no screens and neither will my next one. I can't cut the tech giants out of my life altogether but I'm reducing my reliance on them, not increasing their use cases where I don't need to. I'm not inviting them into my driving, my purchases, my music listening, my reading, or any other part of my life. Good for GM.

In the US that is going to restrict you to old used cars. Cars made after 2018 require a backup camera so there is virtually no other way to support the law.

My current car is from 2003 and I'm happy with it. I'm fine with a backup camera screen, as long as I don't need Google/Apple in the mix and the controls (radio, climate, etc.) are not screen-based.

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#72

I just got a car with Android auto for the first time, after owning an old car for quite a long time. It's an incredible step up in user experience. I can't possibly imagine the rationale for doing this being anything more than mismanagement. The only reason I can think of is that GM wants the user data that Android auto or Apple carplay collect, and they're willing to provide a worse user experience to collect it.

That's exactly why. They want to sell as much of the users data as possible and steal another source of ad revenue (Google maps is already advertising businesses as I use the direction feature...oh look a Wendy's coming up...it's never enough).

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#73
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there any public data on how much those licenses cost?

I don’t know but my best guess is in the low hundreds given the Vline sells for $679. Just installed one in a 2008 Lexus with a resistive touch screen and ancient interface, now I’ve got CarPlay. https://gromaudio.com/store/vline/

Thanks, that's a good data point.

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For what it is worth, there are lots of double DIN aftermarket AirPlay options for a C6. No need for an iPad.

> there are lots of double DIN aftermarket AirPlay You might call me spoiled, but I find 6” screen to be too small.

Check out the floating double DIN receivers like Alpine's Halo11 or search eBay for dozens of cheap no-name ones-- not sure about their SQ, though.

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#75
Just like Tesla, GM has adopted the subscription model.

GM's sub revenue is up: ~$2B YTD, ~$5B deferred to Q3. From just OnStar and Super Cruise. 11m and 100k subs, respectfully.

Barra forecasts a decade of double digit growth with 70% margins.

Of course they'll make their own entertainment stack too.

"Q3 2025 Letter to Shareholders" https://investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/q...

Page 8 in "Ongoing operational agility and strong execution, Q3 2025 Earnings" https://investor.gm.com/static-files/b55f99a7-8524-40ec-89e3...

All other manufacturers will eventually follow suit. Tragic.

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#76
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> there are lots of double DIN aftermarket AirPlay You might call me spoiled, but I find 6” screen to be too small.

Check out the floating double DIN receivers like Alpine's Halo11 or search eBay for dozens of cheap no-name ones-- not sure about their SQ, though.

Thanks! I found this one while searching for what I was looking for - https://www.knightdrivetv.com/products/c6-corvette-10-8-full...

It’s almost same price as Halo11, but seems to be far better product and fit! During first look of it, it felt expensive, but after looking at Halo11, it seems affordable :-)

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the US that is going to restrict you to old used cars. Cars made after 2018 require a backup camera so there is virtually no other way to support the law.

My current car is from 2003 and I'm happy with it. I'm fine with a backup camera screen, as long as I don't need Google/Apple in the mix and the controls (radio, climate, etc.) are not screen-based.

GMC probably doesn’t care about your opinion on what they put in new cars if you’ve conceded you aren’t going to buy one.

But I’d suggest to you that if GMC is not supporting Apple/Android projection it’s not because they want to support something simpler and more open. It’s because they want to own the whole system.

Who do you trust more to build quality software and not rent seek in that situation?

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#78

Unless you are Tesla, I just don't think you can do software well enough to forgo Apple or Google's auto stacks. And people will argue that Tesla isn't that great at it either, but it definitely does it better than all of the other auto manufacturers (disclaimer: I've heard, I don't own a Tesla).

Imagine how awful these interfaces will stand up to the test of time. I seriously doubt they will be getting meaningful updates in 10 years.

Tesla is pretty good about updating its software at least, which is why I called it out. They even do infotainment hardware upgrades, I don't think anyone other car manufacturer is doing that right now (again, disclaimer: I own a BMW i4, not a Tesla, but I did my research before buying).

Re: GM will ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all its cars, not just EVs

#79
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. Manufacturers ditching Apple Carplay/Android Auto support will, if not immediately, inevitably pursue rent-seeking behavior in the form of paid subscriptions for services people could otherwise just have for free (and likely better) via phone.

It is a crazy step for GM in particular because it is not like they have any distinct advantages or differentiators as an automaker. Rivian and Tesla have specific niche appeal. I am not sure anyone is clamoring for a Chevy in the same way. Lack of Apple car play is a feature your average user will be aware of and consider when purchasing a new car.

GMs top end vehicles have been plagued with exploding engines recently so to remove CarPlay is a crazy move. I wonder how much additional revenue they expect from pushing ads and their shitty infotainment experience
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