Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Ford
GM's decision to abandon Android Auto and CarPlay and bet all-in on Android Automotive didn't produce the reaction the carmaker hoped.
First, customers were divided into two sides, with the most vocal publicly blasting the company for dropping two features they believe have become essential for the experience behind the wheel. Second, no other carmaker followed in its footsteps, with the majority of competitors expressing their commitment to offering CarPlay and Android Auto in their future vehicles.
Earlier this week, General Motors reignited the debate after a ridiculous attempt to defend its decision to drop Android Auto and CarPlay.
A company executive said the reason for abandoning the two systems is safety, as users who run Android Auto and CarPlay are more likely to pick up their phones while driving. The reason was the number of bugs plaguing the two platforms, as a connectivity issue, for example, would force a driver to try to reconnect their smartphone when the vehicle is in motion.
It was a ridiculous excuse for going all-in on Android Automotive, as the world knows the strategy is related to a long-term subscription model. However, Ford smelt blood, so CEO Jim Farley took to Threads to reiterate that his company had no intention to drop Android Auto and CarPlay. Ironically, Farley said the reason for remaining so committed to the two systems is safety – that's right, the same reason that GM invoked for dropping Android Auto and CarPlay is used by Ford for sticking with them.
"We're committed to keeping CarPlay and Android Auto," Farley said, adding that Ford customers love the two systems in their cars. The CEO reiterated that Ford has a close relationship with Apple and Google, and considering the safety benefits, as Android Auto and CarPlay let drivers "keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheels," it doesn't make sense to ditch them.
It's not difficult to see what Farley is trying to do here. It's marketing 101, as Ford uses GM's ridiculous excuse to tell the world that it'll still offer what its rival doesn't.
Ford isn't the only company that'll stick with CarPlay and Android Auto in the long term, while General Motors will switch to Android Automotive.
Compared to Android Auto, Android Automotive does not need a smartphone to run and offers a more integrated experience with built-in Google services having deeper access to vehicle functions. Android Automotive can also support Android Auto and CarPlay, letting drivers connect their smartphones to the head unit, but General Motors won't offer this functionality. The only way to use GM's vehicles will be with Android Automotive, so Apple users who want to enjoy the full functionality, including the deeper integration, will need a Google account for things like Google Maps addresses roaming across devices.
Earlier this week, General Motors reignited the debate after a ridiculous attempt to defend its decision to drop Android Auto and CarPlay.
A company executive said the reason for abandoning the two systems is safety, as users who run Android Auto and CarPlay are more likely to pick up their phones while driving. The reason was the number of bugs plaguing the two platforms, as a connectivity issue, for example, would force a driver to try to reconnect their smartphone when the vehicle is in motion.
It was a ridiculous excuse for going all-in on Android Automotive, as the world knows the strategy is related to a long-term subscription model. However, Ford smelt blood, so CEO Jim Farley took to Threads to reiterate that his company had no intention to drop Android Auto and CarPlay. Ironically, Farley said the reason for remaining so committed to the two systems is safety – that's right, the same reason that GM invoked for dropping Android Auto and CarPlay is used by Ford for sticking with them.
"We're committed to keeping CarPlay and Android Auto," Farley said, adding that Ford customers love the two systems in their cars. The CEO reiterated that Ford has a close relationship with Apple and Google, and considering the safety benefits, as Android Auto and CarPlay let drivers "keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheels," it doesn't make sense to ditch them.
It's not difficult to see what Farley is trying to do here. It's marketing 101, as Ford uses GM's ridiculous excuse to tell the world that it'll still offer what its rival doesn't.
Ford isn't the only company that'll stick with CarPlay and Android Auto in the long term, while General Motors will switch to Android Automotive.
Compared to Android Auto, Android Automotive does not need a smartphone to run and offers a more integrated experience with built-in Google services having deeper access to vehicle functions. Android Automotive can also support Android Auto and CarPlay, letting drivers connect their smartphones to the head unit, but General Motors won't offer this functionality. The only way to use GM's vehicles will be with Android Automotive, so Apple users who want to enjoy the full functionality, including the deeper integration, will need a Google account for things like Google Maps addresses roaming across devices.
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