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Polestar chief operating officer Thomas Ingenlath could n’t be happier with the integration of Google build - in , the denounce product that embeds Google apps and services direct into the company ’s EVs . But do n’t expect the EV maker to drop Apple CarPlay as a result .
On the sidelines ofCES 2024 , Ingenlath committed to sticking with Apple CarPlay , the middleware that permit driver to visualize their smartphone onto the automobile ’s infotainment display . He went a step further and questioned automakers that have . GM , for example , decide not to make the new2024 Chevy Blazer EVcompatible with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay .
“ It ’s still too important for our customer to have the choice , ” Ingenlath said during an audience at CES 2024 . He by and by added that , in his view , dispatch the choice is n’t the right-hand way of treat customer .
“ Our priority is very decipherable ; we have a really fantastical organisation together with Google , ” he say . While Ingenlath hold that adding that Google Built - in provides the best experience , he ask “ why would we seek to dogmatically cultivate our customer ? ”
Polestar has been a champion of Google built - in . However , its willingness to keep Apple CarPlay is notable because it exemplify the complexity of pacify client even if it might overshadow the native technology in the vehicle .
The so - called “ Google built - in ” product is power by the technical school company ’s Android Automotive operating system and integrates Google automotive services directly into the fomite . Android Automotive OS is modeled after its open source nomadic operating system of rules that incline on Linux . Instead of running play smartphones , Google modified it so auto manufacturer could use it in their cars . Volvo and Polestar were among the first carmaker to feature Google ’s Android Automotive OS with Google built - in when it launched in 2019 . As a result , the Polestar 2 and pick out Volvo Cars are often the first vehicles to get Modern apps , including YouTube , Amazon Prime video as well as new features .
Meanwhile , Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is a petty port that lie in on top of an operating system . Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are apps that run on the user ’s phone and wirelessly communicates with the vehicle ’s infotainment organization . And they ’ve been especially critical for automakers that have failed to provide the same feature of speech and functions that consumers have on their phones .
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Automakers have been scrambling to reach the so - called“software - defined vehicle”and have largely used Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a stop gap . As some of their internal elbow grease have failed , more are accept Polestar ’s approach and are adopting Google built - in instead of trying to build their own software . Nissan , Ford and Lincoln framework equipped with Google build - in will also twine out this class and Porsche is gestate to found in the future .
Ingenlath seems positive that as Google built - in ameliorate and continues to sum apps and services , consumer will give up Apple CarPlay on their own . And the update do keep coming . At CES 2024 , for instance , Polestarannounced that the Chrome browserwould start out turn over out to Polestar 2 in beta , allowing driver to surf the internet via the fundamental vehicle exhibit while park . Ingenlath hinted of more improvements in the future , include more exact sailing in Google Maps that drills down to the specific lane as well as customize features designed for Polestar customers .
Correction : Polestar falsely refer to Android Auto , the middleware , alternatively of Android Automotive OS , which is the rudimentary operating system . Polestar is dumbfound with Apple CarPlay , but does not have Android Auto in the fomite since it is already fit with the Android OS .
