GM’s replacement for CarPlay is due at the end of 2023, but its dealers are in the dark about when that will be and what it will do to sales when buyers figure it out.
It’s hilarious to me that these car companies think consumers will put up with their shitty infotainment just so they can hopefully open a new revenue stream with subscriptions. Consumers are just going to pass over your shit for competitors that do have Carplay/Android Auto.
Especially when you’re GM. It’s already an extreme longshot that I was ever going to buy another GM car, but this is 100% the final nail in the coffin.
Especially for new car buyers. It’s a much more iPhone heavy group than the general population.
At least in countries where I’ve lived, there were two expensive phones that are popular: Samsung Galaxy, and iPhones. The only GM could have boned this harder is if they somehow nerfed the experience on Samsung flagships too.
My car has CarPlay where my last car didn’t. I’ll tell you now, I won’t get another car without it.
So says literally everyone I have ever seen comment on the matter. Seriously, is there anyone out there that has tried CarPlay/AndroidAuto and said “eh, I don’t see the point”?
My parents don’t care about CarPlay at all. It’s in their GMC truck but they have no interest in using it, and get confused when it pops up. That being said, they also will absolutely not subscribe to whatever service GM tries to launch in its place. I guess just pointing out that there are some people who don’t see the point, but they also wouldn’t see the point of whatever GM launches.
This is even dumber than that. It’s like if they tried CarPlay/AndroidAuto and said, “you know, I like this, but do you have a shittier version that I have to pay extra for?”
Though I might be willing to get one of these cars. They might reduce the price expecting every buyer to pay for the subscription like smart tvs are subsidised because they’ll make ad money. But then I’ll just use my phone with some kind of a phone holder or get it modded to use my phone. Just because they make the car doesn’t mean they control its ecosystem after they sell it.
But I’d probably just buy a car from a different company instead.
My Suzuki/Bosch headunit is occasionally a bit flakey when connecting to my phone via CarPlay, on the way home last night it gave up so I listened to my music using its iPod mode.
Having a simplistic interface was not too bad, it reminded me of the good old days.
But when a phone call came through and I had to answer it via Bluetooth, all hell broke loose as it tried to switch between iPod mode, A2DP, HFP and HSP.
I pulled over and restarted the car until CarPlay started working again.
I mean, people who don’t care about their radio that much? Honestly, long as I have Bluetooth or an aux port, I’m good.
Not that I don’t like Android Auto or wouldn’t prefer to have it, but the lack of it wouldn’t be an absolute deal breaker
Being able to use Google maps (which is constantly updated, integrated with my contacts, and actually had a UI/UX team design it’s interface) on the tablet sized vehicle display and car stereo system, in addition to whatever music apps, is pretty nice. As well as Google search via steering wheel controls for managing navigation.
Yeah, I could play stuff with Bluetooth or use the integrated GPS system but the quality of audio is noticably worse and the GPS is absolutely shit but nice to have in a pinch.
Honestly idk what other apps integrate with AA, music and directions pretty much do the trick for me.
It integrates poorly in my car and requires a USB cable so I don’t bother. I’m happier just using my phone screen.
Most jurisdictions have either already introduced, or in the process of introducing laws that restrict what you can do with your phone whilst driving. Some have higher penalties for distracted driving than drink driving or speeding!
If you do want Wireless CarPlay, there are cheap USB dongles available that may work to adapt your factory Car Audio to enable it. They are also useful as an alternative if your older car radio is unable to provide sufficient current for your newer device to charge.
In other word, you might think that 3.99$/month is a good bargain to get CarPlay with futures updates, but look it’s 2.89$/month right now if you subscribe for 2 years!
Hmm. I really am struggling trying to predict the outcome here.
On the one hand, we have a ubiquitous FREE interface that is mature and works via your phone (that 99% of people already have and are familiar with with their own custom music playlists) and is updated constantly.
On the other hand, we have a PAID interface that sucks donkey dick in usability with little to no customization or upgrade ability and will need to be managed completely separately from your phone.
The entire executive team should be escorted out of GM headquarters after receiving swirlies.
When I was at a Holden dealer, CarPlay (and Android Auto) would sell cars.
Customers would wander in, drooling over a cars performance, styling, economy, luxury etc. they’re oils then ask about CarPlay (or Android Auto): if the car did not have it, they would go cold straight away and just walk straight out the door, without even thanking the salesman for their time.
Carplay was on a very short list of requirements for me when I bought my car a few years ago, so I totally understand this.
It was basically:
- Is a standard
- Has Carplay
- (of course some other things, but those two were very high)
No car manufacturer’s in-house stuff will be as useful to me. It just won’t.
Literally everyone in the world can see this is a braindead play except GM
