General Motors surprised many in the industry by revealing that it won't include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in upcoming electric vehicles. The automaker instead plans to build in infotainment systems developed with Google.
The move, which experts say will let GM collect and monetize its customers' data more easily, didn't go over well on social media and online forums. Some critics vowed to never buy a GM EV as a result, while others predicted that the company ultimately would reverse its decision.
Here are some of the reactions we spotted:
"This is such a baffling bit of news on every single level that I'm really a bit awestruck. To me, it seems almost like GM conducted extensive and comprehensive consumer research and then decided that it'd be a real hoot to just do the exact opposite of whatever it learned."
Jason Torchinsky, The Autopian
"GM is picking a battle with what is arguably one of the most culturally relevant and influential consumer brands in history."
Ivan Drury, Edmunds director of insights, to The Verge
"I'll go out on a limb here and say this is less of a setback for Apple than it is a setback for GM, whose decision makers seem to be utter dolts. ... It's enough to make you wonder whether GM's EV division is being run by a mole planted by Ford."
"Degrading an experience that, at this point, would be considered conspicuous by its absence rather than a luxury feels directly antagonistic toward potential owners. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are table stakes in the automotive world, and GM played no small part in making that today's reality. ... Electric car buyers will vote with their wallets, and — as the segment grows increasingly competitive, and factors more than range alone hold sway — the decision to hold smartphones at bay could easily nudge potential shoppers into rival dealerships."
