[bufflinks]

The Hummer EV will be the first vehicle to feature this new technology by Google, which is integrated into the vehicle software.

GMC Hummer EV will be powered by Android Automotive OS

Google's voice recognition tech and app store will find a home in the electric super truck's dashboard.

www.google.com

 

[Shaved Ice]

I am an Apple guy for security reasons. This doesn’t make me happy. The concerns are adding up.

 

[Tom E-Tron]

I am an Apple guy for security reasons. This doesn’t make me happy. The concerns are adding up.

When it comes to new connected vehicles, privacy and security are questionable. I wonder if Apple will ever do an imbedded infotainment system? I hear they are working at self driving stuff. I hear Apple is seriously working on car stuff, but not sure what exactly.

 

[azbill]

I am an Apple guy for security reasons. This doesn’t make me happy. The concerns are adding up.

I agree, but hopefully it is only local for the voice recognition and any connectivity can be turned off.

 

[Lime Green]

Hi guys, software engineer and app developer chiming in here. I am primarily an Apple guy myself — privacy/ security being the main considerations. And I prefer the Apple ecosystem. That said, I’m totally on board with this. If we ever see a fully integrated Apple system for the automotive world, it will be in an Apple product, be it a car or dedicated infotainment system under the Apple logo. Apple has been rumored to be working on their own car, self-driving abilities, and all sorts of things. It’s hard to know what, if any of that, is true. Leaks do happen from time to time for small things, but Apple is better at keeping secrets than just about anyone.

The current dominant system that most all auto interfaces and infotainment systems run on is QNX — a lightweight, embedded UNIX operating system developed by BlackBerry. Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto interfaces found in many newer vehicles run on the user’s phone and display data to a graphics layer provided by the QNX system.

Google has been pushing Android more to manufacturers in many industries for use as an embedded operating system to replace QNX as the industry standard. It seems Mercedes and Audi/Porsche are adopting it and I fully expect it to replace QNX in the next few years. It makes a lot of sense as it better supports modern hardware and user device interfaces and can provide far superior functionality to any QNX system. Better responsiveness, graphics performance, much more capability. Security on QNX is mediocre at best, it’s mostly that the system itself is dated and no longer actively developed, or at least not in a truly meaningful way. Android is a lot more robust and secure. It also allows integrators to mostly customize the user experience. Users will have access to the Google Play Store for apps, games or whatever.

Since Apple keeps their software and hardware closely tied together, it’s not anywhere close to an option at this time. So the only other options would be embedded Windows (Microsoft Surface), which becomes a very muddy mess of options and real weirdness from Microsoft and some of those are even hybrids with QNX (Ford/ Microsoft Sync). Then there’s embedded Linux. A wonderful choice in actuality, infinite hardware possibilities and capability. Within the auto industry not many cars utilize it. The highest profile use of embedded Linux is Tesla. And while it’s great, they have not allowed much for developer access and there’s no large App Store to entice people. Tesla’s included apps like Netflix, Hulu, Caraoke, etc.. are all great. It’s just a small selection of what could exist and what will exist with GM choosing Android.

And Google is starting to follow Apple’s lead on the latest privacy developments. They’re doing the right thing and have pledged to go all the way. But they’re saying they will take baby steps at first — I think they’re trying to appease some app developers that are not happy with Apple right now or the increased privacy and tracking controls.

 

[Shaved Ice]

Thank you for the very detailed explanation.

 

[Tom E-Tron]

Hi guys, software engineer and app developer chiming in here. I am primarily an Apple guy myself — privacy/ security being the main considerations. And I prefer the Apple ecosystem. That said, I’m totally on board with this. If we ever see a fully integrated Apple system for the automotive world, it will be in an Apple product, be it a car or dedicated infotainment system under the Apple logo. Apple has been rumored to be working on their own car, self-driving abilities, and all sorts of things. It’s hard to know what, if any of that, is true. Leaks do happen from time to time for small things, but Apple is better at keeping secrets than just about anyone.

The current dominant system that most all auto interfaces and infotainment systems run on is QNX — a lightweight, embedded UNIX operating system developed by BlackBerry. Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto interfaces found in many newer vehicles run on the user’s phone and display data to a graphics layer provided by the QNX system.

Google has been pushing Android more to manufacturers in many industries for use as an embedded operating system to replace QNX as the industry standard. It seems Mercedes and Audi/Porsche are adopting it and I fully expect it to replace QNX in the next few years. It makes a lot of sense as it better supports modern hardware and user device interfaces and can provide far superior functionality to any QNX system. Better responsiveness, graphics performance, much more capability. Security on QNX is mediocre at best, it’s mostly that the system itself is dated and no longer actively developed, or at least not in a truly meaningful way. Android is a lot more robust and secure. It also allows integrators to mostly customize the user experience. Users will have access to the Google Play Store for apps, games or whatever.

Since Apple keeps their software and hardware closely tied together, it’s not anywhere close to an option at this time. So the only other options would be embedded Windows (Microsoft Surface), which becomes a very muddy mess of options and real weirdness from Microsoft and some of those are even hybrids with QNX (Ford/ Microsoft Sync). Then there’s embedded Linux. A wonderful choice in actuality, infinite hardware possibilities and capability. Within the auto industry not many cars utilize it. The highest profile use of embedded Linux is Tesla. And while it’s great, they have not allowed much for developer access and there’s no large App Store to entice people. Tesla’s included apps like Netflix, Hulu, Caraoke, etc.. are all great. It’s just a small selection of what could exist and what will exist with GM choosing Android.

And Google is starting to follow Apple’s lead on the latest privacy developments. They’re doing the right thing and have pledged to go all the way. But they’re saying they will take baby steps at first — I think they’re trying to appease some app developers that are not happy with Apple right now or the increased privacy and tracking controls.

Apple is certainly working on self driving as they have purchased components recently that would only be for that purpose, but no idea whether they are close to a breakthrough, or just doing long term research. Apple doing a car has been rumored for a decade now, but we have not seen the right partnerships yet, maybe this is why Foxconn is pushing into the automotive space so hard?

 

[Lime Green]

They’re definitely working on several things. I do expect them to eventually have a car. There’s a real chance it could be a full self-driving system and onboard computers, infotainment all primed for integration and not specifically just their car. Something that several manufacturers could integrate, which could also be why they have met with several automakers over the past months. They may not be courting them to manufacture a car, but for integration. A minor detail that “leaked” with their recent talks with KIA was dismissed without much mention on the major rumor sites. But it was memo on trademark registration for a “Powered by Apple” automotive label.

 

[Tom E-Tron]

They’re definitely working on several things. I do expect them to eventually have a car. There’s a real chance it could be a full self-driving system and onboard computers, infotainment all primed for integration and not specifically just their car. Something that several manufacturers could integrate, which could also be why they have met with several automakers over the past months. They may not be courting them to manufacture a car, but for integration. A minor detail that “leaked” with their recent talks with KIA was dismissed without much mention on the major rumor sites. But it was memo on trademark registration for a “Powered by Apple” automotive label.

Apple has been talking to everyone, heck they are even a client of Sandy Munro. Personally, I do not see Apple hooking up with a major OEM (would not be lucrative enough for either company, other than hype), I see them buying an automotive start up, or manufacturing through Magna or Foxconn.

 

[zer0t]

The current dominant system that most all auto interfaces and infotainment systems run on is QNX — a lightweight, embedded UNIX operating system developed by BlackBerry. Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto interfaces found in many newer vehicles run on the user’s phone and display data to a graphics layer provided by the QNX system.

One minor edit. QNX was acquired by Blackberry not developed by them. Their hesitance, or slowness, to adopt it as the primary OS on their devices vs that crap Java OS is probably why they are now virtually out of business.

 

[Lime Green]

that's right about QNX. Just so used to thinking of it in terms of BlackBerry.... Probably the only reason they're still in existence, that and investors refuse to let the stock completely die. Agreed on them moving to it much sooner on their devices... phone industry could have evolved quite differently if they had.

 

[Shaved Ice]

The government chose Blackberry for years past their useful date for one reason. They were the only company that would send the beta version of the software to the government early so security firmware could be in place before the operating system was officially released. At least that is what they told us at the user level.

 

[Transporter]

I am an Apple guy for security reasons. This doesn’t make me happy. The concerns are adding up.

I agree. Why would anyone want Google operating system on their vehicle, tracking them everywhere, pinning them to locations, then sending ads that just happen to have been discussed while you drove. No thanks.