Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    General Motors to use Google Software in Infotainment systems

      …"Okay Google!"...

    General Motors will be using Google Software for its embedded infotainment systems starting in 2021. This is in contrast to the Amazon Alexa capability found in some new Ford vehicles starting this year.

    The systems from GM will offer Google assistant, Google Maps, and certain other applications that are available in the Google Play app store in all of its brands except those in China.

    GM and other automakers have resisted demands by consumers for this type of software built in out of a fear of losing control of data and the possibility that the Silicon Valley brands eclipse their own. Consumer demand has forced the manufacturers’ hands however.

    Google will not have access to any of the data regarding driving style or vehicle maintenance needs, so consumers need not fear tracking or monetization by Google based on vehicular data.

    Through Google Assistant, GM hopes to offer additional services such as scheduling service appointments. Some of the services Google Assistant supplies are duplicates of offerings by GM’s own OnStar service. However, OnStar still is able to respond to an accident whereas Google Assistant cannot. Furthermore, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will continue to be offered.

    Expect the Google Assistant packages to be an additional cost item, and prices will be released closer to launch date. The agreement with Google allows for the installation in up to 3.6 million vehicles annually, the number of vehicles sold outside of China last year.

    Other manufacturers using Google’s systems are Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and Volvo.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    G. David Felt

    Since they are building the foundation to attach the apps from the play store, just hope they do not F it up in the way it connects and works.

    GM and Ford both have a record of taking something good from another vendor and messing it up!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt
    11 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    GM's most recent infotainment system runs on Android now, but doesn't use any of the Google Assistant stuff. 

    Did not know they had changed that much, thank you for posting about it, very good to know.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    1 hour ago, dfelt said:

    Did not know they had changed that much, thank you for posting about it, very good to know.

    Yeah, they did a major update about 2 years ago starting with the Equinox and Terrain. It's substantially better than the prior version

    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    12 hours ago, riviera74 said:

    I just hope that Google does NOT use this software to access all sorts of things that can defeat any semblance of privacy.

    They say they're not going to use it for monetization. 

    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall

    About the only google app I use often is Google Maps.  Having Google Maps as alternative to the factory nav would be nice.  I use Google Maps on my iPhone, is Google Maps accessible via Car Play (if you have it on an iPhone) or Android Auto (if you have it on an Android Phone)?    

    I don't use voice assistants, so that wouldn't be useful to me.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    29 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

    About the only google app I use often is Google Maps.  Having Google Maps as alternative to the factory nav would be nice.  I use Google Maps on my iPhone, is Google Maps accessible via Car Play (if you have it on an iPhone) or Android Auto (if you have it on an Android Phone)?    

    I don't use voice assistants, so that wouldn't be useful to me.

    Google Maps and Waze are both accessible from CarPlay and Android Auto 

    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt
    3 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    Google Maps and Waze are both accessible from CarPlay and Android Auto 

    I CAN UP VOTE THIS 1 MILLION times as my new Head unit in the SS has both support and the Google Maps with voice enabled ROCKS! :metal:

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    caddycruiser
    20 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    Google Maps and Waze are both accessible from CarPlay and Android Auto 

    Google maps via CarPlay...is the BEST nav system I've used in ages. Love it.

    Driving in the middle of a forest or nowhere, turn on satellite view, great. Tap the voice and just say a business name and always find it while driving? Great. Add a stop along the way? Great. I let Waze run in the background for cops, etc. but Google primarily.

    More integration...great. Car makers need to stop wasting so much money developing computer systems, and focus on the vehicle. I.E., Acura, etc...millions on "true touch" only for it to be a mess. Just use a screen, get better software, and stop.

    • Agree 4
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    caddycruiser

    Gotta love CarPlay Google Maps earth view. Especially helpful if in the middle of nowhere.

    Last night getting back to Philly from upstate NY. Best voice recognition on this one, and helpful "may be closed...is closing soon..." notifications when you pick certain businessed based on your travel. Every day in my car. I can't fathom using an inbuilt system again...and have one.

    IMG_4004.PNG

    Edited by caddycruiser
    • Agree 4
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    On 9/8/2019 at 11:41 AM, caddycruiser said:

    Gotta love CarPlay Google Maps earth view. Especially helpful if in the middle of nowhere.

    Last night getting back to Philly from upstate NY. Best voice recognition on this one, and helpful "may be closed...is closing soon..." notifications when you pick certain businessed based on your travel. Every day in my car. I can't fathom using an inbuilt system again...and have one.

    IMG_4004.PNG

    I"m the same way with Android Auto.  I use the phone screen interface for mine since my Toronado doesn't have an AA head unit. 

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • A Horse With No Name
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By A Horse With No Name · Posted

      Musk needs to be homeless and broke. Without getting political, cutting air traffic control will not end well. Close call here, really distressing to see this as someone who flies on Jets...  
    • Drew Dowdell
      Debuts Expected at the 2025 New York International Auto Show: Comments

      By Drew Dowdell · Posted

      Pretty sure no pickup for this show, but there’s several other shows this year
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Yes, it was a deal ... booked almost a year ago. Ends at Civitavecchia (port for Rome) Will put up photos of stops along the way.
    • G. David Felt
      Debuts Expected at the 2025 New York International Auto Show: Comments

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Excited to see all the Korean options. I wonder if they could shock everyone with a Reveal of the Kia EV Pickup?  Supposedly based on their EV day held in Spain they did say that they will have a midsize EV pickup and are expecting to sell 90,000 a year.
    • Drew Dowdell
      Debuts Expected at the 2025 New York International Auto Show: Comments

      By Drew Dowdell · Posted

      The New York Auto Show happens opens each year during the week prior to Easter. We'll be there on Wednesday the 18th to check out the new releases. Here's a list of what we expect to see. Hyundai Hyundai will be hosting the North American debut of the next-generation Palisade crossover. The 2026 Palisade was shown in South Korea back in December, but it is coming to New York to show off any changes that might be in place for the North American market. It adopts the Pixel theme already applied to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ioniq 5.  Powertrain changes are expected to include a turbo 4-cylinder to replace the V6 and the addition of a hybrid model.     KIA Kia has three reveals planned which Kia says will include "two fully electric powertrains, and one offers a sporty and versatile approach in the compact car segment".  That "versatile approach to a compact car" is likely the wagon version of the Kia K4.  The EVs are expected to be the EV4 sedan and EV3 compact crossover that will bring more entries to the entry level EV market.       Genesis Genesis has an off-site event where they may show the G90 Grand Coupe and Convertible concepts. However, while we've seen the refreshed Genesis GV60 in other markets, it hasn't officially made its North American debut, so we think there's a good chance we will see that too. The 2026 GV60 will sport a bigger battery, more range, faster charging speeds, and more power. The GV60 also upgrades the luxury with new shock-absorber designs and a new Active Sound Design with sound proofing to give occupants a smoother and quieter ride. Subaru Subaru has two press conferences scheduled. We're expect a new SUV version of the legendary Subaru Outback, replacing the original wagon silhouette. Wagon buyers are a dwindling but fervent breed, so we expect a lot of buzz and gnashing of teeth over this one.  There could also be a new Wilderness trim, a higher spec package that Subaru offers on many models that increases off-road capabilities. The second reveal will be an all-new model called the Trailseeker. All we know about the Subaru Trailseeker is that it will be an SUV and it will be fully battery powered. On the EV front, we may also see a freshened version of the Soltara. The Soltara's platform-mate, the Toyota bZ4x received some updated styling and a bigger battery a few months ago, so it may be time for the Subaru Sister to get hers.   Volkswagen Volkswagen has a late-in-the-day press conference with very few details known just yet.  Rumors are circulating that it could be the U.S. version of the Tayron X Coupe currently sold only in China, a fastback "Crossover-Coupe" version of the Volkswagen Tiguan.  But with nothing at all coming from VW PR as of this writing, it is still anyone's guess.         Toyota and Maserati also have conferences scheduled, but they will only be discussing current product and business updates. None of the U.S. domestic brands or European brands other than Volkswagen have press conferences scheduled, but there could be some off-site surprises. We will have more for you as we cover the show on Wednesday.         View full article

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search