Much ado has been made about General Motors’ decision to nix Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its all-electric vehicles starting in 2024 with the Chevy Blazer EV, all in favor of replacing that compatibility with its own software, which is being co-developed with tech giant Google. This decision was made for a number of reasons – it gives GM the ability to capture more user data, focus its engineering efforts into a single software platform, better integrate its own features such as SuperCruise and third-party apps, make vehicles less dependent on smartphones, and help it accelerate its mission to drive revenue through connected vehicle services. However, this decision also had many wondering – would Ford follow suit in its future EVs, particularly since it’s also developing similar types of software with Google? Turns out, that doesn’t appear to be the case, according to The Verge.
“We continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because customers love the capability that enables easy access and control of their smartphone apps – especially our EV customers because some EVs currently do not offer the features,” said Ford spokesperson Alan Hall.
Ford isn’t alone in that sense, either – in fact, most every automaker that The Verge reached out to also confirmed that each has no plans to nix Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility in future models, including Honda, Volvo, Hyundai/Kia, and BMW. Though other EV automakers such as Rivian and Tesla don’t currently offer access to either, many owners have been clamoring for them to add it, too.
Thus, this move certainly seems like a big risk for GM, and it will be interesting to see if the automaker sticks with it, or simply decides to retain this compatibility following this public backlash. Removing existing features from new vehicles rarely goes over well with consumers, and given the popularity of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at the moment, it’s no surprise this proposed change isn’t, either.
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My suggestion is to use Garmin instead of the Sync Navigation system in Ford vehicles. Garmin updates are free and easy. I purchased the three year update on a USB Drive for my 2017, F-150 and could not get to load. Called Ford customer service and they gave me instructions to down load the last update before before the USB update would work, no luck. I asked my dealer to do it and they didn’t even know what I was talking about using the USB Drive. I use my High Speed Garmin placing it in the flat tray on the dashboard. Pull up close to the house and use the house’s Wi-Fi signal to update. Simple, easy and quick. Why doesn’t Ford work with Garmin and get a better Navigation System?
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