General Motors has announced that its future electric vehicles (EVs) will not include the popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technologies that are found in the vast majority of cars today. This tech allows users to bypass an automaker’s own infotainment system for that of their smart phone. Instead, GM will be using a new infotainment system designed in conjunction with Google, which owns the Android platform.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are widely used features in cars today, with nearly every car on sale in the US offering them both. Initially, a wired connection between the phone and car was required, but now wireless functionality is common. There are only a few automakers that don’t include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, such as Tesla and Rivian.
So why would General Motors choose not to offer these two features that are so popular with car buyers? Neither Apple nor Android charges automakers a fee for including this compatibility in their cars, despite the two tech giants’ reputations for taking a cut of every transaction that gets within ten feet of them. GM may not like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto get valuable user data when drivers use their phones instead of the automaker’s own infotainment system. This data could be used by GM to improve navigation routing and other vehicle systems, or even sold to third parties.
GM’s decision affects Apple more than it does Google, since the automaker will still be using Android tech in its future infotainment systems. Products like Google Maps and Google Assistant will be tightly integrated into the experience, as well as popular third-party services like Spotify, Audible, and more. Apple, however, will disappear entirely from GM EVs. The first car this affects will be the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer. GM will continue offering Apple CarPlay and Android Autos in its gas-powered vehicles until 2025, when it plans to stop selling combustion vehicles entirely.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
