Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The CarPlay and Android Auto worlds have become increasingly attractive for software developers worldwide, with more app makers updating their software to run on Apple's and Google's platforms.
The most recent application launching on CarPlay is CBC Listen, which allows Canadian users to listen to live CBC Radio, play podcasts, and access music playlists.
Everything is free, with no fees and subscription, with the parent company promising several extra features, including playlogs from CBC Music shows and recommendations tailored to each user.
The CarPlay experience offers access to favorites, including radio stations, shows, podcasts, and playlists. Users can also load their bookmarks and downloads from the CarPlay screen without unlocking their mobile devices.
The number of apps in the CarPlay ecosystem keeps growing, proving that despite the controversial strategy that some carmakers have embraced, abandoning these platforms isn't something users are willing to agree with soon.
General Motors is the best example in the anti-CarPlay world. The American carmaker decided to block Android Auto and CarPlay in its cars as it moves to Android Automotive as the operating system powering its electric vehicles. Theoretically, Android Automotive has the technical means to allow Android Auto and CarPlay to run in the car. Still, GM banned the two systems to force drivers to use Google's embedded operating system.
The announcement wasn't received well by potential buyers, especially as running CarPlay has become common for many US drivers. Connecting an iPhone to the infotainment system and having all essential apps on the screen is very convenient, so drivers aren't willing to give up on this straightforward concept in exchange for an approach that could eventually lock certain features behind a paywall.
Critics believe GM's transition to Android Automotive is the first step towards a subscription-based infotainment model, primarily if the company blocks Android Auto and CarPlay.
However, the number of developers joining CarPlay keeps growing, and so does the number of users who see Apple's in-car experience as a must-have system behind the wheel. The iPhone maker's data shows that nearly 80% of the new-car buyers in the United States consider CarPlay mandatory for their next purchase, and many are ready to switch to another model or brand if they don't get the system.
CarPlay is here to stay despite all attempts to regain control of the infotainment system. Developers will likely continue to see the in-car experience as a way to keep users connected to their software even when they can't use their phones. A new-generation CarPlay is also coming, and while Android Automotive offers more advanced functionality than today's version (which GM has used as a reason for blocking Android Auto and CarPlay), it won't take long before carmakers understand that claiming they know better than customers is a risky strategy with an uncertain outcome.
Everything is free, with no fees and subscription, with the parent company promising several extra features, including playlogs from CBC Music shows and recommendations tailored to each user.
The CarPlay experience offers access to favorites, including radio stations, shows, podcasts, and playlists. Users can also load their bookmarks and downloads from the CarPlay screen without unlocking their mobile devices.
The number of apps in the CarPlay ecosystem keeps growing, proving that despite the controversial strategy that some carmakers have embraced, abandoning these platforms isn't something users are willing to agree with soon.
General Motors is the best example in the anti-CarPlay world. The American carmaker decided to block Android Auto and CarPlay in its cars as it moves to Android Automotive as the operating system powering its electric vehicles. Theoretically, Android Automotive has the technical means to allow Android Auto and CarPlay to run in the car. Still, GM banned the two systems to force drivers to use Google's embedded operating system.
The announcement wasn't received well by potential buyers, especially as running CarPlay has become common for many US drivers. Connecting an iPhone to the infotainment system and having all essential apps on the screen is very convenient, so drivers aren't willing to give up on this straightforward concept in exchange for an approach that could eventually lock certain features behind a paywall.
Critics believe GM's transition to Android Automotive is the first step towards a subscription-based infotainment model, primarily if the company blocks Android Auto and CarPlay.
However, the number of developers joining CarPlay keeps growing, and so does the number of users who see Apple's in-car experience as a must-have system behind the wheel. The iPhone maker's data shows that nearly 80% of the new-car buyers in the United States consider CarPlay mandatory for their next purchase, and many are ready to switch to another model or brand if they don't get the system.
CarPlay is here to stay despite all attempts to regain control of the infotainment system. Developers will likely continue to see the in-car experience as a way to keep users connected to their software even when they can't use their phones. A new-generation CarPlay is also coming, and while Android Automotive offers more advanced functionality than today's version (which GM has used as a reason for blocking Android Auto and CarPlay), it won't take long before carmakers understand that claiming they know better than customers is a risky strategy with an uncertain outcome.
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