GENERAL Motors has doubled down on its plan to ditch a key piece of infotainment tech, but many drivers are unhappy with the replacement.
The auto giant has confirmed it will remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from many future models.
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That move comes despite the fact that the smartphone integration apps remain popular.
GM first announced the change in March 2023, sparking a backlash from many drivers at the time.
Now a senior official has spoken out to confirm the removal of the apps will be going ahead.
“We have high conviction that this is the right path for us to take to create truly interior experiences for our customers,” Baris Cetinok, GM’s senior vice president of software and services, said in a recent interview with The Verge.
READ MORE ON APPLE CARPLAY
The change is coming about as GM rolls out its own in-car software, called Ultifi.
Part of that change is driven by the idea of “vertical integration” – tying every aspect of a car, from its navigation system and accelerator to the HVAC and Super Cruise and ensuring they are all talking to each other.
Cetinok, who worked at Apple for nine years as a senior director of product management and product marketing, admitted the move was inspired by his time at the tech giant.
“You look at a company like Apple who espouses deep vertical integration as one of the ways to create the most seamless experience,” he said.
“Case in point, we believe in the same thing for vehicles, and that’s why we believe we are a hardware, software, and services company rather than just a hardware company.”
In the meantime, Apple is preparing an updated version of CarPlay with enhanced capabilities.
The latest update, compatible with iOS 18, includes expanded functionality, enhanced voice commands, and integration across more screens within the vehicle.
But GM insists that by standing by its plan, its unique setup will make its vehicles more enjoyable and intuitive for drivers.
Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system available on certain GM models, is designed to provide a more immersive experience that extends beyond traditional smartphone connectivity.
Many drivers remain unconvinced by GM’s strategy, however.
Apple CarPlay vs Android Auto
Both are phone mirroring apps for both operating systems that allow drivers to access contacts, make calls, and use navigation apps.
Many manufacturers allow access to both apps wirelessly, and all infotainment systems mirror your phone with a USB connection.
The idea behind phone mirroring apps designed for in-car use is to reduce distracted driving by making essential apps easier to access.
Key features of both apps are:
- Audiobook app access
- Podcast app access
- Navigational access (Google or Apple maps, which have your personal information already implemented, like your home address, work address, recent searches, and more).
- Phone apps, with contacts, favorites, recent calls, and more preprogrammed.
- Messaging apps that can read text messages aloud and transcribe a response through the vehicle’s microphone.
- Music apps like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music (iTunes), or others with your personal information, playlists, recent searches, and preferences built in.
- Calendar events, your car can alert you to an upcoming event or conference.
- Access to Google Assistant or Siri with vocal cues.
“So… Is GM also planning to create, AND out-compete Apple and Google and their respective mobile ecosystems?” one commenter wrote.
“Because that’s what it will take to attract people who currently are neck deep into them and use them more often than they are in their GM car.”
A dealer worker added, “GM is not only wrong but they are oblivious.
“This is a feature that customers are willing to defect for. They’re better they’re safer GM is hoping for a SAS money pipeline and will again cost themselves customers and dollars in the long run.”
While a third added, “When this decision grenades in their face, which it 100% will, it’ll go down as one of the biggest blunders in GM history.”
The U.S. Sun has been to General Motors and Apple for comment.
