The era of interoperability in cars may be coming to a close. A new report suggests General Motors is shifting away from supporting CarPlay and Android Auto to focus more on its built-in infotainment systems in future electric vehicles.
CarPlay and Android Auto are useful tools that allow drivers to mirror their smartphone screens to their vehicle’s dashboard. It makes navigating, changing songs, and doing many hands-free things much easier. But now it looks as though GM will be developing its own infotainment system—in partnership with Google.
A new report from Reuters suggests the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer could be the first vehicle with a built-in infotainment system. The report also says GM is designing an onboard navigation system for future EVs as part of a partnership with Google. The Chevrolet brand has offered support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across a wide variety of car models.
The GM partnership with Google has existed in some capacity since 2019, as the two work on an infotainment system that can be tightly integrated with other vehicle systems such as driver assistant. One important note in the report? “The automaker is accelerating a strategy for its EVs to be platforms for digital subscription services.” Automakers are experimenting with subscription services for heated seats and extra features—so this comes as no small surprise.
“We have a lot of new driver assistance features coming that are more tightly coupled with navigation,” Mike Hichme, GM’s Executive Director of Digital Cockpit Experience, told Reuters. “We don’t want to design these features in a way that are dependent on a person having a cellphone.”
The new infotainment system would include access to Google Maps and Google Assistant, its voice command system for up to eight years. Future infotainment systems will integrate third-party services like Spotify, Audible, and other audio sources that many people now use their smartphones and a Bluetooth connection to listen while driving.