General Motors has decided not to move forward with its connected car tech MyLink, a platform allowing developers to build Internet-connected apps for the company’s line of vehicles.
Instead, the automaker will integrate upcoming technology from the likes of Apple and Google, according to GigaOm. MyLink was intended to be a way for GM to bring a variety of third-party services to its 2015 cars, including apps from NPR, map service Glympse, Pandora, Slacker Radio, and others.
Since two of the largest tech companies in the world are also building their own connected-car platforms, GM’s decision to kill off MyLink actually makes a lot of sense. And the last thing GM wants to do is be the only car company that doesn’t feature deep integration from the iOS/Android devices drivers use every day. (It would sort of be the equivalent of making a really polished BlackBerry app instead of developing an app for the iPhone or Android.)
Apple is nearly ready to debut its CarPlay service, which will offer apps from third-party companies that have been optimized for the car. Apple already has partnerships in place with several automakers to include the tech in their new vehicles as well as agreements with Alpine and Pioneer to include CarPlay support for their aftermarket in-dash(board) media devices.
June 5th: The AI Audit in NYC
Join us next week in NYC to engage with top executive leaders, delving into strategies for auditing AI models to ensure fairness, optimal performance, and ethical compliance across diverse organizations. Secure your attendance for this exclusive invite-only event.
Meanwhile Google has built a car-focused version of its Android operating system, Android Auto, for hardware makers to use.
Both CarPlay and Android Auto are likely to be embraced by the developer community and supported by major services like Pandora, NPR, and so many others. Part of this is because developers can add on to pre-existing mobile applications. So by the time you buy a GM vehicle, the apps available on CarPlay and Android Auto should get you where you’re going in style.
