[piening2150]

Originally Posted by Whoomba

Someone mentioned the built in Google but that’s for a fee right? I’m already paying for the Apple system so why do I need to pay for another? The iPhone is tech central.

I think there's a trial period with a new car purchase, but yeah, there will have to be a paid data plan for any of that stuff to work after the trial.

I said the same thing earlier. I already pay for that crap, why would I want to pay again for the same services?

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Whoomba

Someone mentioned the built in Google but that’s for a fee right? I’m already paying for the Apple system so why do I need to pay for another? The iPhone is tech central.

I believe 8 years is included in the vehicle purchase. I'm on a 2-year lease so....

[Bumbleboy92]

I can get the OnStar features being behind a subscription, but putting Google Maps there as well? Smells just like BMW charging owners a subscription to use CarPlay. 8 years is a long time, then again I try to keep cars till they’re not worth jack.

[piening2150]

Originally Posted by Bumbleboy92

I can get the OnStar features being behind a subscription, but putting Google Maps there as well? Smells just like BMW charging owners a subscription to use CarPlay. 8 years is a long time, then again I try to keep cars till they’re not worth jack.

Google maps needs a data connection to work. I assume you could download offline maps like your phone, but it would not have any of the traffic, speed trap, or road hazard alert data. And I'm not sure what would happen when the offline maps 'expire'. My phone has to redownload offline maps every year I think.

If there's a way to use your phone's hotspot connection for data when the trial expires I guess that wouldn't be so bad. But that would probably be too easy.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Bumbleboy92

I can get the OnStar features being behind a subscription, but putting Google Maps there as well? Smells just like BMW charging owners a subscription to use CarPlay. 8 years is a long time, then again I try to keep cars till they’re not worth jack.

I have a 2017 Camaro, so it's 8 years old. The maps in the embedded system are crap. They are waaaay out of date. I could update them by buying the CDs for I think $99. I never did because I started using Waze.

So now what GM is saying is instead of charging $99 for CD updates to the embedded maps you have continuously updated Google Maps. Or you can use Waze which is included in the App Store. Where it gets to be an issue is beyond 8 years. At that point you still have your mobile phone that connects through Bluetooth. You just won't be able to project it on your car's screen.

[arpad_m]

8 years today when few have acquired these new vehicles, 5 or 3 or 1 tomorrow, one just needs to look at what happened to included SiriusXM or OnStar subscriptions.

Once that happens, the question "why would I pay extra with each of my vehicles for the same service that I already use on my cell phone for free" becomes much more acute. Similar problem to that of map updates people are already unwilling to shell out $99 a year for (and let's not even discuss the fact that they're only available for 5 years even at this price).

[Bumbleboy92]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

8 years today when few have acquired these new vehicles, 5 or 3 or 1 tomorrow, one just needs to look at what happened to included SiriusXM or OnStar subscriptions.

Once that happens, the question "why would I pay extra with each of my vehicles for the same service that I already use on my cell phone for free" becomes much more acute. Similar problem to that of map updates people are already unwilling to shell out $99 a year for (and let's not even discuss the fact that they're only available for 5 years even at this price).

Exactly this, the other thread from a while back about buying a map update for newer model Camaro’s had my interest. I ultimately didn’t go through with it even at the small cost because I’ve got free maps on my phone. I’d love the remote functionality that OnStar gives but their price outweighs my wants. At least BMW gives free remote functionality, still have full app access on my 2020 X5, that’s a rarity I know. And I know people gladly pay for OnStar and enjoy it, hell maybe if it wasn’t so easy for thieves to disable it more people would pay for it too

[GXP08jrf]

My household has 4 vehicles that are used regularly by multiple family members. We all have Android phones and we all use AA nearly 100% of the time. The Camaro is a 2016, The other cars are 2 2018s and a 2021. We were considering a Blazer or Equinox EV to replace the 2021.

Although the AA interfaces can be slightly different in each car, they are similar enough and intuative to be considered identical. I can go from car to car to car and not have to determine what my map & traffic interface will look like or how it'll react. Plus, I've used AA in rentals (granted I don't rent frequently anymore), and never lost a beat in usage, basically plug in and go.

Having said that, in addition to my cars, through work I have had opportunity to drive a Lyriq (they even signed me up on the account). It has both the embedded system and AA. I tried to use the on-board system initially, but I found it to be not as well integrated when making calls and answering texts etc . The bonus was supposed to be that it integrated trip planning with charging infrastructure, but it didn't seem to be quite intuative in that regard either. The system didn't "see" charging stations that I new existed. I can't be sure if they were "off network" or maybe were occupied so they didn't show up. Regardless, I had to refer to 3rd party apps (including the OnStar app) on my phone anyway to find the stations I new existed. So I've been defaulting to AA since I had to use the phone anyway I really expected to be wowed by the native system, but it was very AA-ish without the promised benefit in my perspective.

This brings me to what other's have said: The subscription aspect: Hard no!
I already pay for several phones in the family, which have the AA capability. I'm not about to pay for four additional susbscriptions on 4 vehicles to get an equivalent to marginally better system than I'm already paying for. It's laughable. Sure GM says the subscription is paid 8 years, but that'll become 5 years, then 3, then 2 and finally 3 months introductory subscription that you need to provide CC and cancel after the free trial is over. This is how they get you, give it for free so you don't miss AA, then hide the features behind the paywall. We've all seen this with OnStar remote access features. Not to mention I can only use that vehicle subscription when I'm in the vehicle. I can put my phone in my pocket and bring it into the bathroom and play games while I sit. I haven't tried with a Silverado, but I doub't it'll work. Maybe if you could share a single subscriptiong among vehicles: A family plan like we have with our phones.

So yes, lack of AA/ACP is a very heavy consideration in a new vehicle purchase. Had the Equinox or Blazer EV had AA, It's highly likely one would've been in my driveway by now. But with the sticker price on those things and loss of the tax credit (not to mention I'd need to update my electrical service to get a Level2 charger at home, $$$), we're sticking with the ICE cars we've got for now...

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by GXP08jrf

My household has 4 vehicles that are used regularly by multiple family members. We all have Android phones and we all use AA nearly 100% of the time. The Camaro is a 2016, The other cars are 2 2018s and a 2021. We were considering a Blazer or Equinox EV to replace the 2021.

Although the AA interfaces can be slightly different in each car, they are similar enough and intuative to be considered identical. I can go from car to car to car and not have to determine what my map & traffic interface will look like or how it'll react. Plus, I've used AA in rentals (granted I don't rent frequently anymore), and never lost a beat in usage, basically plug in and go.

Having said that, in addition to my cars, through work I have had opportunity to drive a Lyriq (they even signed me up on the account). It has both the embedded system and AA. I tried to use the on-board system initially, but I found it to be not as well integrated when making calls and answering texts etc . The bonus was supposed to be that it integrated trip planning with charging infrastructure, but it didn't seem to be quite intuative in that regard either. The system didn't "see" charging stations that I new existed. I can't be sure if they were "off network" or maybe were occupied so they didn't show up. Regardless, I had to refer to 3rd party apps (including the OnStar app) on my phone anyway to find the stations I new existed. So I've been defaulting to AA since I had to use the phone anyway I really expected to be wowed by the native system, but it was very AA-ish without the promised benefit in my perspective.

This brings me to what other's have said: The subscription aspect: Hard no!
I already pay for several phones in the family, which have the AA capability. I'm not about to pay for four additional susbscriptions on 4 vehicles to get an equivalent to marginally better system than I'm already paying for. It's laughable. Sure GM says the subscription is paid 8 years, but that'll become 5 years, then 3, then 2 and finally 3 months introductory subscription that you need to provide CC and cancel after the free trial is over. This is how they get you, give it for free so you don't miss AA, then hide the features behind the paywall. We've all seen this with OnStar remote access features. Not to mention I can only use that vehicle subscription when I'm in the vehicle. I can put my phone in my pocket and bring it into the bathroom and play games while I sit. I haven't tried with a Silverado, but I doub't it'll work. Maybe if you could share a single subscriptiong among vehicles: A family plan like we have with our phones.

So yes, lack of AA/ACP is a very heavy consideration in a new vehicle purchase. Had the Equinox or Blazer EV had AA, It's highly likely one would've been in my driveway by now. But with the sticker price on those things and loss of the tax credit (not to mention I'd need to update my electrical service to get a Level2 charger at home, $$$), we're sticking with the ICE cars we've got for now...

Interesting. My experience over the last 14 months with the Equinox EV has been totally the opposite.

• Once I connected my iPhone and my Google Pixel to bluetooth in the car with the iPhone as primary, every time I get in the car the iPhone is connected before my butt even hits the seat.
• I can toggle between the two phones on the fly by tapping an icon at the top of the screen.
• I can make phone calls by pressing the button on the steering wheel. The car then displays that the call will be handled by the bluetooth connection. Then I just go "Hey Siri...call the Dalai Lama" and like that my call goes through. Same as with CarPlay in my Camaro.
• When I want to send a text message to someone I press the same button, get the same message and then I just say "Hey Siri, send text message to Halle Berry" and it's done.
• When I receive a text message I get a display that says I've received a text message from whomever. This is where it differs most from CarPlay. I can say "read last text message" and it will read the message and ask if I want to reply. Just like CarPlay. What it does not do is allow me to later ask "Read text messages from Halle Berry". I have to go to the phone for that.
• As far as Charging Stations is concerned, you didn't say whether you had a route planned and you were looking for charging stations or that you were just out driving, knew there were charging stations nearby and they didn't show up on your map. If you have a route planned, the mapping software will consider your current state of charge and recommend where to stop on your route to charge. As you are approaching the area where you need to charge it will also show you viable alternatives that are on the network.
• I'm not certain what it does if you are driving with no route planned and getting low on charge. Never been in that situation. Maybe I'll have to try it sometime.
• The phone app that connects you to the vehicle does show you chargers nearby if you look for it. You have to select MAP, then it provides you a list of nearby chargers, how many stalls they have, how many are available and what the power output of each stall is. Pic below.

[cthulhucaller]

GM does not make any cars I would buy anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. If they did, not having Carplay, and not being able to change the head unit would definitely be a decision point. I've used AA and Carplay, and they are both excellent, there's really no reason to be using typical auto manufacturer built in software which is never anywhere near close to AA or Carplay.

Next vehicle, I'll probably see what Ford or Dodge are doing, if there are still V8 mustangs or challengers, that will probably be where I'll have to end up. If not, I'd just go Tesla. I only drive American cars.

[piening2150]

Originally Posted by cthulhucaller

GM does not make any cars I would buy anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. If they did, not having Carplay, and not being able to change the head unit would definitely be a decision point. I've used AA and Carplay, and they are both excellent, there's really no reason to be using typical auto manufacturer built in software which is never anywhere near close to AA or Carplay.

Next vehicle, I'll probably see what Ford or Dodge are doing, if there are still V8 mustangs or challengers, that will probably be where I'll have to end up. If not, I'd just go Tesla. I only drive American cars.

If you go electric, Rivian and Lucid are American too.

[pzoom]

As long as I can run Waze or something that alerts me to cops and speed traps, that’s all I care.

[Martinjlm]

Here's a pretty fair assessment https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...y-android-auto

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by cthulhucaller

GM does not make any cars I would buy anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. If they did, not having Carplay, and not being able to change the head unit would definitely be a decision point. I've used AA and Carplay, and they are both excellent, there's really no reason to be using typical auto manufacturer built in software which is never anywhere near close to AA or Carplay.

Next vehicle, I'll probably see what Ford or Dodge are doing, if there are still V8 mustangs or challengers, that will probably be where I'll have to end up. If not, I'd just go Tesla. I only drive American cars.

Lol only drive American car... my camaro was the first American car i owned. Trans am was Canadian, GTA was Canadian, GMC Sierra was Canadian.
My wifes toyota rav4 was made right here in America.
Most ford and dodge are made in Mexico unless you're lucky and get a ford from india or a jeep from Italy maybe a chevy from Korea or China.

Don't try to be an American car elitist until you actually know where their crap comes from. American automotive manufacturers have been dodging paying American workers for generations by outsourcing to low income countries and selling it back at a high price because you think it's American. If you want to buy from a car company that's actually been investing in America then buy tesla or toyota.
Equinox - mexico
Trax - korea
Challenger - Canada