GM to Remove CarPlay from All Future Vehicles, Including Gas Cars [Updated]

[MTShipp]

Currently have a GMC; am saving up to replace it. They just made my choice easier because I will now go with Toyota.

 

[dcompiled]

I had no interest in buy GM vehicles before but definitely will not consider going forward. To all the manufacturers removing carplay support, ask yourself, is our infotainment system better than what I an iPhone/android can provide? If the answer is no (and I have yet to see an example) then removing such support is going to lose customers.

 

[apple2022]

That's an interesting thought. Last I tried FSD was about 2 years ago in my brother-in-law's Model X. I cannot say I was terribly impressed then and while fancier, it was not much more capable than the Nissan Pro Pilot software in highway driving. Both did things I was unimpressed with and made me nervous -- the worst of which was the sudden braking for no reason that occurred at the crest of a hill (Nissan would do this at the start steep incline whereas the Tesla would do it at the top). But another problem was whenever a highway exit opened up on the right lane and the right lane widened as you approached, the vehicle would re-center by straddling the right lane and the forming exit lane and then abruptly switch back to the right lane when the start of the lane separator between the right lane and the exit lane came into view. It was very jarring and all I could think was that if cannot handle this basic common highway feature that there was no way it would handle city driving without giving me a heart attack. For clarification, Nissan's Pro Pilot (at least in my Leaf) only does highway driving with lane keeping and adaptive cruise control (no city driving), but still drifts towards the exit lane as the right lane widens. The unfortunate thing is that the software in my Leaf updates so rarely that it might as well never update -- I believe it will get an update soon due to a recall on fast-charging battery temperature management.

Anyway, if FSD has come that far then I will have to ask my brother-in-law if we could go for a ride in his Model X and give it a go.

You will need to determine what hardware version and what software version he is running. Hardware 3 (or AI3) Teslas are running a version of FSD that operates well but at a lower level. Hardware 4 (or AI4) Teslas running FSD 13 and above, ideally FSD 14, will give you a view into current tech and the future. If he's using a Hardware 3 car running FSD 13 or above it would be like when someone has the PS2 version of Madden NFL while you have the PS3 version of the same year. Same name, similar idea, but different product. If you tried FSD two years ago, it is essentially a totally different product.

 

[skrank]

Essentially universal CarPlay support has made rental cars such a better experience. Will be a huge bummer when my "Toyota Corolla or Similar" puts me in a Cruze without CarPlay.

 

[Roller]

I agree that there are advantages to running apps using the vehicle's hardware and OS, such as integration with climate control and other systems.

But the reason people like CarPlay (and Android Auto) is familiarity and convenience. They already know how to use Maps, Music, and other apps. They don't have to learn a new UI even if the car's software can do some things better. I only had wired CarPlay on my Honda – connecting was a pain, but I still preferred it for navigation, texts, and music. With wireless CarPlay, it's seamless.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

I see many of you complaining about this business decision, but GM is simply adopting Apple's philosophy of offering one's own solutions when it makes technological and business sense. If it made sense for Apple to switch from Internet Explorer to Safari, from Intel to M1, or from Qualcomm to C1, and put an emphasis on Continuity, then I don't see why GM shouldn't strive to provide a full GM experience inside its vehicles. I think it's only fair. If Apple doesn't like it, it can always try to make its own cars (or, more realistically, make CarPlay a better product in the first place).

 

[platinumaqua]

already not considering their cars since they usually don't have amber turn signals. This is only adding another one to the long list of reasons why I wouldn't consider a GM product.

 

[jz0309]

I see many of you complaining about this business decision, but GM is simply adopting Apple's philosophy of offering one's own solutions when it makes technological and business sense. If it made sense for Apple to switch from Internet Explorer to Safari, from Intel to M1, or from Qualcomm to C1, and put an emphasis on Continuity, then I don't see why GM shouldn't strive to provide a full GM experience inside its vehicles. I think it's only fair. If Apple doesn't like it, it can always try to make its own cars (or, more realistically, make CarPlay a better product in the first place).

it's not Apple who doesn't like this (well they probably don't like it) but it is iPhone users who happen to be (potential) GM customers, so GM takes a choice away that a lot of people like ... technological it makes no sense, business-wise, only time will tell

 

[zenmacx]

This is a natural consequence of Apple's "secrecy above all else." Car manufacturers cannot count on Apple sharing their plans and working collaboratively, so they've developed their own solutions.

Apple wants control rather than working closely with auto manufacturers.

Compatibility - Apple CarPlay is designed exclusively for iPhones running ios 7.1 or later, while Google AAOS (Android Auto) supports a wider range of devices, requiring Android 6.0 or higher for basic functionality and Android 10.0 for full wireless capabilities.

User Interface - CarPlay features a clean, grid-based layout with larger icons for easy navigation, reflecting Apple's design philosophy. In contrast, AAOS offers a more customizable card-based interface that allows users to arrange information tiles according to their preferences.

Navigation - Google Maps integration in AAOS provides superior real-time traffic data and detailed navigation features, making it the preferred choice for many users. Apple Maps, while improving, still lags behind in terms of comprehensive data coverage but allows the use of third-party navigation apps like Google Maps.

Voice Assistants - Google Assistant in AAOS excels in natural language processing and contextual understanding, making it more effective for complex commands compared to Siri in CarPlay, which is better suited for straightforward tasks.

Summary - Unlike Apple, Google AAOS offers an open flexible environment that allows it to interface and control systems such as air conditioning and other automotive subsystems that CarPlay is incapable or prevented by Apple of doing.

 

[MrRom92]

One less reason for me to ever buy one of their cars

 

[kpluck]

I guess there is a bright side to this, it makes buying a new car simpler because I no longer have to consider any GM vehicles when making a buying decision.

-kp

 

[Downundermac]

Yawn. Used to be a GM guy and have owned a couple of rusty Fords, but the heyday of US and European automobile makers is over. Late model grey import JDM Toyota’s and aftermarket Apple CarPlay units suit our household budget perfectly. The model names sometimes vary according to region, but they are generally extremely reliable, and the parts chain is global and plentiful.

 

[An-apple-a-day]

Modern GM is trash, so this story really isn’t relevant.

 

[centauratlas]

When Lexus/Toyota didn't have CarPlay we got a Mercedes GLS450 instead (2016). It is nicer than the Lexus it replaced and now, even though they have CarPlay, we aren't looking at them to replace the Honda. It is very stupid of GM.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

it's not Apple who doesn't like this (well they probably don't like it) but it is iPhone users who happen to be (potential) GM customers, so GM takes a choice away that a lot of people like ... technological it makes no sense, business-wise, only time will tell

Apple made its own printers, explored making its own cars, and now wants to make its own AI, to name but a few examples. All failures, but at least Apple tried. Let's be open and also give GM a fair chance at developing its own ecosystem inside its cars and see how this turns out. Customers and the media will judge and, as you said, time will tell if that was a wise decision. If it is, great. If it's not, GM will eventually pull the plug and switch to third-party solutions like CarPlay.

 

[whitby]

The arrogance of GM is astounding. There is not one integrated entertainment system that comes close to what CarPlay and Android’s equivalent provides. Calendar/routing, Music/Libraries, contacts/routing , texts, emails etc. How can they possibly think that they can integrate with your primary personal device without some sort of CarPlay or equivalent integration. They are much dumber than I thought.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

My biggest issues are: 1) I do not want to have to pay a subscription beyond what I already pay to use the music app of my choice, 2) I do not want to be stuck using the podcast app of someone else’s choice or whatever is available in a rinky dink App Store (I do not want to use YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, or some piece of garbage from Amazon for podcatching), 3) I do not want to pay extra to use a mapping solution when Google Maps or Apple Maps screencast and are great from my phone, 4) I have no intention of paying for my vehicle to have its own mobile data access.

 

[Light_of_Consciousness]

This is going to make such a mess at the car rental counter. People will refuse GM cars because there’s no CarPlay or Android Auto. They’re almost essential for travel in unfamiliar places.

 

[aespana]

I wouldn’t buy a car without carplay/android auto..

Do these companies ask to the consumer what they wants or like?

 

[maxfromdenmark]

We are witnessing Car Play’s death. Sad.

 

[WWP99]

Another reason why I don't rent GM cars when I travel. I want to use CarPlay, not their clunky system. The company is dying a slow death.

 

[M3T]

Whatever the justification they gave for user experience or whatever, the real reason is that this lets them upsell digital features whereas CarPlay basically replaces OEM head unit software for the vast majority of people that have it and otherwise generates no continuing profit for the car manufacturer. BMW tried to be cute and charge a subscription for wireless CarPlay. The goal is always to get more money.

Putting a video player with touch forwarding (all CarPlay really is) is dead simple to add to any OEM UI, they’ll just choose not to do it.

As for me, this isn’t even in the top 5 reasons why I avoid GM.

 

[Analog Kid]

This is a natural consequence of Apple's "secrecy above all else." Car manufacturers cannot count on Apple sharing their plans and working collaboratively, so they've developed their own solutions.

Citation needed. Where on earth do you get the idea that some engineer at Apple sits at their desk and dreams up a full automotive integration system without once talking to an auto maker?

 

[Dr.Lee]

With the 10speed transmission failures, collecting and reporting customer data resulting in higher insurance premiums for customers, as only a few recent reasons not to buy a Garbage Motor Company vehicle, I don’t understand why people buy anything from them.

 

[Analog Kid]

Whatever the justification they gave for user experience or whatever, the real reason is that this lets them upsell digital features whereas CarPlay basically replaces OEM head unit software for the vast majority of people that have it and otherwise generates no continuing profit for the car manufacturer. BMW tried to be cute and charge a subscription for wireless CarPlay. The goal is always to get more money.

Putting a video player with touch forwarding (all CarPlay really is) is dead simple to add to any OEM UI, they’ll just choose not to do it.

Yep. Sell recurring subscriptions, upsell features, retain user data.