[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by 3.8TransAM

More crap you don't need in a car......... Give me cloth, AC, manual windows and locks. Just more crap to break and cause problems.

I'm for less is more but manual windows? No thanks. I get in my car, hit both buttons to lower both windows and off I go. Would hate to do that manually (and roll them up when parked). No thanks.

[Fraxum]

If GM adopts the Android OS it would be a big step for mankind. An Android headunit is light years better than anything GM currently has to offer.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by RenegadeXR

I think this is for the best. The automotive industry doesn't typically attract good talent when it comes to UI and nav systems. This is why Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became a thing. Android Automotive will create a more cohesive infotainment system across brands.

You're always being tracked. If you use Spotify, Google Maps, or any other app on your phone while in your car, information is being harvested. Even GM's OnStar tracks you.

The one thing I'm confused about is: Where does this thing grab data from so you can use internet-based voice commands? It'd either have to run off an LTE hotspot in the car itself or piggyback off your phone. I can't find any articles where this is explained.

I thought the same thing, not sure if it stills tethers off your cell phone somehow or needs they are going to force you to have some sort of data service via OnStar for this to work for all features.

[RenegadeXR]

Originally Posted by SSport16

I thought the same thing, not sure if it stills tethers off your cell phone somehow or needs they are going to force you to have some sort of data service via OnStar for this to work for all features.

If it uses a phone as its primary connection, you have at least some chance of stopping some of the info harvesting by using a firewall app like AdGuard to tunnel all the traffic through.

The only thing that provides maybe some clue is that several articles state Android Automotive will load a user profile based on your phone when you get into the car and can even act as digital keys to operate the vehicle, but if somebody jumps into the driver's seat with no phone, it will load a "guest" profile. They go on to state the guest user can still use internet services but that it would not be personalized.

So I am guessing there's an internal hotspot, but I can't find anything mentioning a subscription. If it's "free", I'd actually be more worried. There's no such thing as "free" -- as Tim Cook from Apple said, this just means you're their product -- ie: Info harvesting. "Guest" profile or not, they would probably have some way to correlating the data back to you.

[6sigma]

It looks like the idea is to use native Android with Google Assistant built in. You would sign in with your Google account (whichever one you want to use) just like you do on any Android device. You could choose to not sign-in and just use a guest/local profile but you get nothing customized.

Personally, I really like the idea. Android Auto is really good, but having Google services like Google Map and Assistant built-in to the car is even better. Since it is running Android I assume you could just install and use whatever apps for music, etc that you want. I use Amazon music and Audible, so that would be nice to have them native in the car. Probably could install apps like Torque if you wanted too.

[Mov Ov3r]

Originally Posted by 6sigma

Android Auto is really good, but having Google services like Google Map and Assistant built-in to the car is even better. Since it is running Android I assume you could just install and use whatever apps for music, etc that you want. I use Amazon music and Audible, so that would be nice to have them native in the car. Probably could install apps like Torque if you wanted too.

Agree, Google maps moving into the main stay as Nav would be phenomenally better than anything currently out there. I wonder if you would be able to load Waze, another google maps product (purchased by google I should add). Would be really nice because you would know where the police are being reported by other Waze users.

[AmazinglySmooth]

I only use CarPlay from Apple. Will this interface still support CarPlay?

[RenegadeXR]

Originally Posted by AmazinglySmooth

I only use CarPlay from Apple. Will this interface still support CarPlay?

Yes. Google had said that pretty clearly when they first showed off Android Automotive for the VW Polestar 1 which will be the first car to use this head unit.

[NeverDie]

Polestar 1 is a Volvo (Geely) sub-brand, not VW.

and if it supports CarPlay then it is meaningless to me. If it doesn't, it means I won't buy vehicles that include it.

[Mov Ov3r]

Originally Posted by NeverDie

Polestar 1 is a Volvo (Geely) sub-brand, not VW.

and if it supports CarPlay then it is meaningless to me. If it doesn't, it means I won't buy vehicles that include it.

"According to The Verge, Android Automotive still allows drivers with iPhones to use CarPlay."

[mcintyre1969]

Originally Posted by glopez5

News flash, all phone makers are tracking your data, storing, sharing, selling etc. They are all using it in ways that aren't even illegal yet.

* just in turns out NSA has been doing this too.

You think this forum isn't tracking you? You think these ads are random? Lol

Do you all not get porn advertisement?

[PhantomV8]

I think it's pretty cool. Google Assistant has had demos of being able to call and make appointments for you just like having a secretary. So lifelike it's scary.

As far as information concerns, OnStar can already hear everything you say in your car, know your speed and location. Who cares if Google is in the car too? Both of these companies will give up your info to the gov if they think it's neccessary.

[Baldilocks01SS]

Just what I want, my infotainment center force restarting....

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by RenegadeXR

If it uses a phone as its primary connection, you have at least some chance of stopping some of the info harvesting by using a firewall app like AdGuard to tunnel all the traffic through.

The only thing that provides maybe some clue is that several articles state Android Automotive will load a user profile based on your phone when you get into the car and can even act as digital keys to operate the vehicle, but if somebody jumps into the driver's seat with no phone, it will load a "guest" profile. They go on to state the guest user can still use internet services but that it would not be personalized.

So I am guessing there's an internal hotspot, but I can't find anything mentioning a subscription. If it's "free", I'd actually be more worried. There's no such thing as "free" -- as Tim Cook from Apple said, this just means you're their product -- ie: Info harvesting. "Guest" profile or not, they would probably have some way to correlating the data back to you.

I work in IT and I am usually the last person to be the guinea pig for all these new technologies for that very reason, I know what actually happens behind the scenes more than just the average person. One of the reasons I tell everyone I know to get the hell off of social media sites, they own all those pictures and everything you put onto their servers, no getting those items back or wiped out completely.

I just have a hard time believing they would make you pay for some type of data/internet service in order for the system to function, or maybe parts of it will not be functional without some type of data purchase.