General Motors has capitulated on its hard line against phone projection, bringing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into a new truck user interface after years of pushing customers toward its own software, according to Bloomberg News‘ David Welch.

The automaker will introduce the system later this year on the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. Rather than letting CarPlay or Android Auto occupy the entire screen, GM is placing the phone interface in a large window alongside native functions such as trailering data, tire pressure, fuel information, and Super Cruise.

The design is a retreat from GM’s 2023 decision to drop CarPlay and Android Auto from electric vehicles, a move that drew backlash from buyers who wanted their familiar phone apps on the dashboard. Gas-powered trucks had kept the features, and the new interface is meant to end the either-or choice between Apple or Google and GM’s own system.

GM product officials have described the split view as the “sweet spot,” allowing drivers to use phone apps without losing truck-specific tools. Tapping the phone icon opens CarPlay or Android Auto in the large pane; the home control returns the native layout.

The software also adds updated graphics, animated transitions, and simplified layouts for towing and off-roading on large displays, including a 16.3-inch touchscreen. GM plans to start with its highest-volume pickups before spreading the interface more widely.

MacDailyNews Take: Shocker.

General Motors is blowing it by barring the widely-used Apple CarPlay (and Google’s derivative Android Auto) that allow drivers to bypass vehicle’s infotainment systems, shifting instead to an built-in infotainment system, Google Automotive, for future electric vehicles.

For us, and many, many others, General Motors simply moves even further out of consideration for future purchases (GM never really was in consideration anyway).

If GM sticks to this stupidity, it deserves its fate. – MacDailyNews, May 15, 2023

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The post GM capitulates on Apple CarPlay ban; brings back system later this year appeared first on MacDailyNews.

General Motors is about to launch new versions of its bestselling Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks for model year 2027, and among the changes are new user interfaces for the trucks’ digital displays. The automaker has gone for a more minimalist approach than we’ve seen from it in the past, and after a demo yesterday, it seems like it has been listening to constructive feedback to improve the products. And yes, unlike GM’s electric vehicles, these trucks still let you cast your Apple or Android phone to the infotainment system.

Although GM showed us video of the main instrument cluster—the gauges and info that’s presented to the driver—we don’t have any screenshots we can show you. But I was impressed with the restraint and lack of visual noise; instead, the background is always black, which should be dark even at night thanks to local dimming technology.

There are a number of different views. One with simple half-moon dials for speed and engine rpm; on the right side of the display is a user-configurable zone, where you can browse your music or audio feeds, display trip info, or turn-by-turn directions. Another is a driver assist display, with green as the highlight color to show when Super Cruise is active; this shows you a representation of what the car’s fused sensors are seeing around it. A third is for off-road driving, with your various angles and diff settings, and a fourth is for towing.

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