GM announced earlier this year that it would begin phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity from new EVs, and the end result for all future products was very poor to say the least. These phone mirroring programs are extremely popular among both new and used car buyers, making GM’s announcement difficult to understand. Now, the company has explained its thinking in a little more detail. motor trend.
At the time of the announcement, GM representatives gave some basic reasons for eliminating the popular show, but the overall decision was poorly communicated. A two-page media fact sheet lists the benefits of EV route planning and charging, as well as the company’s semi-autonomous driving systems, Super Cruise and Ultra Cruise. Essentially, GMs can curate more experiences by doing their own thing. None of that really explained why the company picked up a feature that customers liked enough to at least make a purchase decision as an alternative option.
Stop using your cell phone while driving
Tim Babbitt, head of infotainment products at GM, said: MT A better explanation at the press event of the new Chevrolet Blazer EV, the flagship vehicle of the strategy without CarPlay or Android Auto (and 2023) motor trend SUV of the Year Award Winner). He says there’s an important factor not mentioned in the fact sheet: safety. Specifically, he cited the distraction caused by drivers using cell phones while driving.
According to Babbitt, CarPlay and Android Auto have stability issues that manifest as poor connections, poor rendering, slow responses, and dropped connections. And when problems occur with CarPlay and Android Auto, drivers pick up their phones again and take their eyes off the road, completely defeating the purpose of these phone mirroring programs. Resolving these issues may be beyond the automaker’s control. GM’s frustration is starting to show.
Babbitt’s argument is that if drivers can do everything through the vehicle’s built-in systems, they’ll be less likely to pick up their cell phones, and as a result, they’ll be less distracted. The idea is that you will be able to get behind the wheel more safely. However, he acknowledged that while GM has not yet tested this theory in the lab or in the real world, he believes it is a possibility if customers want it.
How does it work?
To that end, GM’s “Ultifi” infotainment software includes a fully integrated suite of Google apps like Maps and Google Assistant, as well as popular apps like Spotify and Audible. Installing Google Maps directly into your car eliminates a substandard in-house navigation system and replaces it with a program that everyone knows and loves, making it a major source of customer anger and a major reason to use CarPlay and Android Auto in the first place. You can remove motivation.
But the real heart of this strategy is Google Assistant. Voice control in cars isn’t new, but for a long time it was even worse than car manufacturers’ navigation systems. However, a digital assistant that works and has full access to your vehicle’s systems is a potentially powerful tool. Not only can calls and texts be handled via a Bluetooth-paired phone, but audio, navigation, climate, and more can all be controlled while the driver keeps their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. While CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and access to in-car data have expanded over the years, most of these systems are still inaccessible.
Can’t you just connect your phone?
The CarPlay and Android Auto issues cited by Babbitt seem to be primarily related to using these programs wirelessly, which he says is true, but if you connect your phone to a USB data port Doing so alone will not solve all problems. Babbitt said Android smartphones are prone to compatibility issues between the vehicle and all the different phone manufacturers that run his Android, even when using a physical connection. I am. On the other hand, iPhones have backward compatibility issues that make it difficult for older iPhone models to run CarPlay consistently.
He pointed to JD Power data showing that issues with CarPlay and Android Auto are common owner complaints, and that customers tend to blame the automaker rather than the phone manufacturer or the phone software. Did. Eliminating CarPlay and Android Auto could thus free his GM from major customer complaints that could lead to lower quality scores.
Money and data are also important
Babbitt’s reasoning is sound, but there is more to this strategy than simple altruism. Automakers around the world have been battling Apple and Google for years over access, control, and ownership of the data generated in their vehicles. Regardless of whose software drivers use, vast amounts of data are collected about how they drive, where they go, the apps they use while driving, and more. That data is valuable to automakers and tech companies not only for customer research but also for anonymizing, packaging and selling to third parties.
Then there are the actual expenses that drivers spend. Although not yet widespread, apps already exist that allow owners to spend money through their vehicle’s infotainment system, such as when purchasing gas or food at certain retailers or restaurants. In addition to the possibility of purchasing goods from GM or GM’s partners through the car’s infotainment system, GM is also considering subscription services that would be managed through the same interface. Edward Comer, GM’s chief digital officer, said: Reuters The same was true when the decision to discontinue CarPlay and Android Auto was announced. Automakers see subscriptions as a huge new revenue stream to tap into, with GM alone hoping to generate $25 billion a year in revenue from subscriptions alone by 2030.
GM already operates OnStar, the oldest in-car subscription service, and has clearly stated plans to expand that subscription model to Super Cruise and Ultra Cruise in the future. The new CarPlay and Android Auto-free infotainment systems in the Blazer EV and future GM EVs include eight years of data to run Google-based programs like Maps and Assistant, but After that, the owner will pay further data usage charges. .
It’s not just GM.
While GM has been widely criticized for avoiding CarPlay and Android Auto, it’s worth pointing out that other companies have done similar things. The most prominent one is Tesla, which has never offered one but remains hugely popular. Rival EV automaker Rivian also doesn’t currently offer either program on its vehicles. Still, this is clearly a gamble on GM’s part, a bit of a game of chicken with the majority of modern car owners and smartphone users. We’ll have to see if GM’s confidence in its system pays off without the connectivity and reliability drawbacks. At the end of the day, it’s probably beneficial to go for a ride in the car you want to buy, play around with the buttons, and see how comfortable it really is.
Updated 12/12:
After this article was published, we received the following communication from GM.
“We are reaching out to clarify that comments regarding GM’s position on phone projection have been misrepresented and to reinforce our valuable partnerships with Apple and Google and their commitment to driver safety. GM’s embedded infotainment strategy is driven by the benefits of having a system that: Allows integration with the larger GM ecosystem and vehicles .”