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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Chevrolet To Offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay In 14 Vehicles For The 2016 Model Year

      Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? Chevrolet Says, "Why Not Both?"

    The age of the connected car is here as General Motors announced that 14 vehicles from Chevrolet's 2016 lineup will offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility through the MyLink infotainment system. This means GM is one of the first automakers to offer both systems, giving owners a relief when it comes to choosing one over the other.

     

    “For most of us, our smartphones are essential. Partnering with Apple and Google to offer CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility across the widest range of models in the industry is a great example of how Chevrolet continues to democratize technology that’s important to our customers,” said Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors.

     

    There will be two variants of the MyLink system available for vehicles - a seven and eight-inch screen. GM notes that for now, the eight-inch screen version only works with Apple's CarPlay. Android Auto support will come in the future.

     

    Chevrolet says support for both systems will begin rolling out later this year.

     

    Source: Chevrolet

     

    Press Release is on Page 2

     

    Chevrolet is Global Leader for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay

    • All-new 2016 Cruze is one of 14 Chevrolet models to offer compatibility


    LOS ANGELES – According to Strategy Analytics, there are more than 2.3 billion smartphones in use globally, and that number continues to rise. And on the road, customers are demanding better integration between phones and their vehicles. Whether they have an Apple or Android phone, Chevrolet is committed to providing the smartest, simplest connected driving experience possible to owners across the globe.
    For the 2016 model year, Chevrolet will offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility in more models than any automotive brand. The 14 Chevrolet models include the all-new 2016 Cruze compact car, which will debut on June 24. Cruze is Chevrolet’s best-selling passenger car, with more than 3 million sold since launch. Additional models are listed in a chart below.
    “For most of us, our smartphones are essential,” said Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. “Partnering with Apple and Google to offer CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility across the widest range of models in the industry is a great example of how Chevrolet continues to democratize technology that’s important to our customers.”
    Chevrolet’s seven-inch MyLink infotainment system gives owners a smart and simple way to access both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The eight-inch version of MyLink will be compatible only with Apple CarPlay at the beginning of the 2016 model year. While development and testing is not yet complete, Android Auto compatibility may be available on the eight-inch version of MyLink later in the 2016 model year.
    Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.
    Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third-party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay.
    Many features can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers spend more time with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
    Chevrolet has a strong track record when it comes to broad availability of customer-centric innovation as the first brand to introduce Siri Eyes Free functionality and the first and only car company to offer available OnStar 4G LTE connectivity across a range of cars, trucks and crossovers in the U.S. and Canada. In less than one year, Chevrolet has connected more than a half-million customers to high-speed 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
    Chevrolet customers in markets around the world including Brazil, Mexico and Canada will benefit from this new level of smartphone integration. Specific market availability for Android Auto can be found here. Current Apple CarPlay markets can be found here.
    In 2014, the 14 models included in this rollout accounted for more than 2.4 million vehicle sales, or 51 percent of Chevrolet’s total global sales.
    Using either application is simple in a compatible 2016 Chevrolet. A “Projection” icon on the MyLink screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate either CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB. Android Auto requires a phone running the Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above, while Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or later.

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    SalesmanSean

    I get this, but it just seems like a mess.  I don't want to have to match my (or my customers') car to my phone, or vise versa.  On top of that, I see lots being mostly filled with Apple stuff, because they have more of a buzz, and leaving Android owners out in the cold.  I don't think there was any need for OS specific head units, I think manufacturers were doind a good job with things like MyLink, Sync, UConnect, etc.  This will just make it harder to keep the right cars on the lot to cater to all customers.

     

    Edit: I guess maybe I'm missing how this will actually work, can one system do either?  I still thinks it's a mess of excess complexity, and I see that it is already showing a bias towards Apple.  I don't expect this to be any kind of notable improvement on the current systems, just another way for Android and iPhone users to argue about which product is better.

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    FAPTurbo

    Edit: I guess maybe I'm missing how this will actually work, can one system do either?  I still thinks it's a mess of excess complexity, and I see that it is already showing a bias towards Apple.  I don't expect this to be any kind of notable improvement on the current systems, just another way for Android and iPhone users to argue about which product is better.

     

    These systems will operate both Android and Apple. Essentially, they run atop the infotainment system. Customers won't be required to pick compatibility at the dealership. 

     

    Hyundai's already implemented this system and the reviews are quite good, considering it's still very new. The link below is a good place to start.

     

    http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/26/8659671/android-auto-in-car-system-review-smartphone-hyundai-sonata

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    SalesmanSean

     

    Edit: I guess maybe I'm missing how this will actually work, can one system do either?  I still thinks it's a mess of excess complexity, and I see that it is already showing a bias towards Apple.  I don't expect this to be any kind of notable improvement on the current systems, just another way for Android and iPhone users to argue about which product is better.

     

    These systems will operate both Android and Apple. Customers won't be required to pick compatibility at the dealership. 

     

    Hyundai's already implemented this system and the reviews are quite good, considering it's still very new. The link below is a good place to start.

     

    http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/26/8659671/android-auto-in-car-system-review-smartphone-hyundai-sonata

     

    Can't access the site for that article here at work, sadly, but from the main article here it doesn't really seem like they offer much functionality that wasn't already available through the standard MyLink system.

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    SalesmanSean

    MyLink/Intellilink/CUE doesn't work well with Android at the moment. 

    It hasn't given me any issues, but if that's an issue people have seen, I can see them wanting to fix it.  That's kind of surprising as those and other head units (albeit from different manufacturers) tend to offer increased functionality for Androids over iPhones (things that can stream through Bluetooth on Androids often need USB connections to stream from iPhones and Androids offer the option to reply to text with preset messages where iPhones can't).I'm not so much a fan of CUE, but I've really liked MyLink.  Of the ones we see on the lot here I'd probably put Mylink first, with either MazdaConnect or Entune second (I really like the commander control, so I'd probably give the nod to the Mazda), then Intellilink, and CUE and Nissan Connect can duke it out for the bottom spot.  That said, none of them are deal-breakingly bad, but some definitely function better than others.  If the Android and iPhone specific software is the way the industry is going I don't blame GM for trying to get there first, or at least towards the front of the pack, I just don't know that it was ever really needed in the first place.  It really seems more like a marketing tool than much of a functional upgrade so that they can say they have Android and iPhone technology.  I may be proven wrong, and I'll reserve final judgement until these systems hit the lot, but my first impression is, and I hate using this term but it's the most accurate description, "meh" at best. 

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    Drew Dowdell

    With my Buick Intelilink, I have trouble streaming audio over bluetooth and I can't use USB at all with my Galaxy S4.   I can stream audio over bluetooth, but I can't search by track or by playlist on the head unit.... I have to do all of that from the phone.   If I plug in my iPhone (yes, I carry both) it "just works".  I get album artwork, I can use voice search, and can select playlists. 

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    loki

    it would have been awesome to have this, to simplify, and universalize phone into car...stuff.

    most everything works just fine in my mazda 6... bluetooth link is alittle slow, but... so, what's about 20-30 seconds?

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    Drew Dowdell

    The Benz I'm driving this week does not have Android Auto capability even though it is rolling out in some of their cars starting this year.  I can't get anything from plugging in my S4 via USB and with bluetooth I can only scroll through my music one by one via the head unit.

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    regfootball

    for me, just having the music interface be on the dash instead of my phone, will be great.  i have had apple devices and itunes for many years.  my library is stored on one computer and then since itunes knows that, i can stream what i own on my phone with my unlimited data, i don't need to copy it to the device.  the biggest problem has been having to run it on the phone, my cobalt with USB i can go through menus but it is nowhere near as easy as using the phone itself.  having the same interface on the dash will be holy grail.  Now if i can check email on the dash when the car is parked i will be super giddy.

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    Suaviloquent

    Looks like a good move, giving choice to the customer always makes sense. It'll be interesting to see if automakers ditch doing all of the infotainment altogether and just stick with Apple, Google or a standardized version of what RIM's QNX makes for FCA, Ford and others. 

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    Cory Wolfe

    I am beyond excited about the prospect of Android Auto. Really, the biggest downside to all this is the fact that the phone has to have a physical connection in this day and age. Well, that and I do wish Android Auto could just be wholly integrated as the sole interface. But, I have a feeling that wouldn't make everyone happy, particularly those of the Apple-carrying variety. Still, this is an improvement over the industry-wide general awfulness of automakers own work. Mylink, Cue, Myfordtouch, Entune, etc. are all terrible, some to lesser degrees than others. Both Apple's and Google's systems are miles ahead of those disasters. 

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    Susimi

    So is this a system where you connect your phone and can then take calls through it play music & watch videos and stuff? Interesting draw if it is but it's not really my cup of tea honestly.

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    knightfan26917

    So is this a system where you connect your phone and can then take calls through it play music & watch videos and stuff? Interesting draw if it is but it's not really my cup of tea honestly.

     

    This is along the lines of my thoughts, too.

     

    You have laws against calls & texting while driving ... I don't see how all of this interconnectivity is any less distracting.  But, what do I know?

     

     

    Cort :) www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

    1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve
    "What else do I have to say?" __ Billy Joel __ 'We Didn't Start The Fire'
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