Toyota and Ford Create Automaker Group to Promote Open Source Smartphone Interfaces

This is what happens when companies that don't understand a technology decide to use the technology they don't understand.

First we have problems with security (my Jeep Renegade is an example). Second we have problems with accessibility. This consortium is an example. They think that what I want when buying a car is another device to take care of, that exists outside the ecosystem of the devices I have.

They operate under the idea that, "choice is always better." Well, choice is good. If I can choose to use my iPhone with their system, okay, great, no complaints.

The problem I have is when the OS is "Open Source" meaning anyone can develop for it instead of any device can connect through it. I don't WANT to use Spotify, I already have a music app and don't want to spend money on another damn subscription. I don't WANT to use another GPS app, I already know how to use mine...

The apps I have are the same across my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. That's great you want to build an Open Source OS, but I don't NEED an Open Source OS, I NEED CarPlay.

Toyota's assertion that they don't use CarPlay because safety, is asinine. "We aren't going to give you the ability to use your device without having to look at it because it's more safe that way..."

Before anyone goes "fanboi" on me.... The same can be said of Android and Windows.

I don't WANT to deal with ANOTHER OS. This is why I work in a single ecosystem. Give me complete access to my single ecosystem. Period.

Demanding consumers buy the best in class for each item they purchase is the way things worked ten years ago. I buy the devices that get the job done inside the ecosystem I use. I've bought a system, not a group of devices I figure out how to kludge together into a system.

For now, I'm with Apple. The quality has dropped as of late, and the only thing preventing me from being an Android user is that I don't want my data to be a commodity. If I thought I could trust google with my data, I may jump ship. Windows? Their still in the "Win95" of the mobile market. That and they are the targets of most exploits.

Welcome to 2017. It's about "system" now, not just device.

This is complete and total BS. This is the doublespeak for the crap that the automakers have been foisting on us for years. Disjointed and poorly conceived interfaces that are confusing and frustrating. Ford is the worst of the bunch.

No CarPlay? No sale.

If an automaker doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto you're out of the game.

I guess they will have to learn the hard way, you can't compete with Apple and Google in tech.

This is what happens when companies that don't understand a technology decide to use the technology they don't understand.

First we have problems with security (my Jeep Renegade is an example). Second we have problems with accessibility. This consortium is an example. They think that what I want when buying a car is another device to take care of, that exists outside the ecosystem of the devices I have.

They operate under the idea that, "choice is always better." Well, choice is good. If I can choose to use my iPhone with their system, okay, great, no complaints.

The problem I have is when the OS is "Open Source" meaning anyone can develop for it instead of any device can connect through it. I don't WANT to use Spotify, I already have a music app and don't want to spend money on another damn subscription. I don't WANT to use another GPS app, I already know how to use mine...

The apps I have are the same across my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. That's great you want to build an Open Source OS, but I don't NEED an Open Source OS, I NEED CarPlay.

Toyota's assertion that they don't use CarPlay because safety, is asinine. "We aren't going to give you the ability to use your device without having to look at it because it's more safe that way..."

Before anyone goes "fanboi" on me.... The same can be said of Android and Windows.

I don't WANT to deal with ANOTHER OS. This is why I work in a single ecosystem. Give me complete access to my single ecosystem. Period.

Demanding consumers buy the best in class for each item they purchase is the way things worked ten years ago. I buy the devices that get the job done inside the ecosystem I use. I've bought a system, not a group of devices I figure out how to kludge together into a system.

For now, I'm with Apple. The quality has dropped as of late, and the only thing preventing me from being an Android user is that I don't want my data to be a commodity. If I thought I could trust google with my data, I may jump ship. Windows? Their still in the "Win95" of the mobile market. That and they are the targets of most exploits.

Welcome to 2017. It's about "system" now, not just device.

Your post demonstrates a lack of understanding of the subject matter. Auto makers don't care about CarPlay or Android Auto. CP and AA are nothing but glorified app overlays completely dependent on the phone to operate. As long as they continue to operate that way CP and AA are only an added sales opportunity to upgrade a trim package They (car manufacturers) are worried about Google and Apple designing full infotainment systems and influencing their sales based on a potential customer's choice of phone. Google has already started down that road and I don't doubt Apple isn't thinking along the same lines. With their bs secrecy crap, it's hard to tell how far Apple has come. Google on the other hand is doing exactly what is scaring the bejeebus out of auto makers. Google is getting into the dash instead of borrowing the screen.

http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/05/googles-concept-maserati-has-android-built-right-into-the-car/

http://arstechnica.com/cars/2017/01/google-and-fiat-chrysler-will-show-off-android-as-a-car-os-concept/

^^This is what they're worrying about. Not really sure what you're worried about to be honest. You don't have to worry about another OS. Again, CP and AA are overlays, apps from your phone borrowing your car's screen. The underlying OS of the infotainment center has nothing to do with either. To further illustrate that point. New Honda's offer Car Play integration. Yay! The underlying OS on the infotainment system? Android. Other companies have their own proprietary OS (a lot of them QNX) and they still work with Car Play. So you have nothing to worry about. You won't have to deal with another OS.

Toyota has so far resisted including Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto in its vehicles

...and has thus lost my business, after 20 years of patronage.