General Motors plans to stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on its future electric vehicles beginning with the Chevrolet Blazer, Motor Trend reported.
According to the carmaker, safety was the key factor over the removal of said smartphone integration systems, specifically to eliminate driver distraction by phone usage at the controls of the vehicle, said GM head of infotainment product Tim Babbitt.
This is due to stability issues that show themselves as bad or dropped connections, poor rendering and slow responses, and drivers will pick up their mobile devices when the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality runs into these issues, wrote Motor Trend.
The idea is that if drivers were to handle these functions through the vehicle’s built-in system, they would be less likely to pick up their phones, be less distracted and therefore be safer at the wheel of their vehicle, said Babbitt, though admitting that he theory has not been tested either in laboratory conditions or in the real world. However, he believes this approach has potential if customers go for this.
Meanwhile, the carmaker also said that it does not want its car’s features to be dependent on the users’ mobile devices. We have a lot of new driver assistance features coming that are more tightly coupled with navigation. We don’t want to design these features in a way that are dependent on person having a cellphone,” GM executive director of digital cockpit experience Mike Hichme told Reuters.
While the carmaker plans to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for its EVs in the future, it has been working with Google since 2019 for infotainment systems that are more tightly integrated with other vehicle systems, such as its Supercruise driver assistance suite.
General Motors’ future EVs with the new system will have access to Google Maps and Google Assistant, as well as a voice command system for free for eight years, GM was cited by Reuters as saying.
Its Ultifi infotainment setup runs the Android Automotive operating system, which supports apps including Spotify, Audible and more, wrote Reuters. However, GM plans to continue offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity on its combustion-engined models.
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LOL. Just admit that you don’t want to pay to Apple just like pLoton
ur comment just reflected ur personality, PIG
Doesn’t seem like a smart move given how integrated people are with their preferred mobile device. Long uphill road for them to provide something that is better than AACP. Not a deal breaker, but AACP made it easy to plug and play and be familiar with the interface no matter what car it is.
Screen in a vehicle is overrated, other than for navigation and reverse cam. Wireless hands-free has long been providing a high-quality phone call experience. And what’s wrong with bluetooth connection for sound entertainment. I’d want AA solely for Google Maps
This is a load of bull by GM. They’re getting a lot of push back on Reddit and Car&Driver website article comments.
Drivers will still pick up their phones, what’s the difference?
U still can Bluetooth your phone when u call
Complete baloney excuse. They just want their own platform there in order to track and monetize our data.
Proton always drop it like it’s hot
What say you Tim Cook?
Stoopid move from GM. If there’s enemy in the bushes you burn down the forest is it?
lol general motors trying to be proton is it bodo
hmmm, definitely too many stupid, lazy drivers are texting or playing with their phones while driving, totally irresponsible and uneducated …