General Motors and CarPlay – FIDG
With all the internet growling and resulting responses on GM choosing not to support CarPlay, I had to do some old fashioned research. Like, what the fuck is CarPlay? Also, is CarPlay in my Ram Laramie? Oops. My Luddite is showing.
The answers? Well, to quote from apple.com, “CarPlay gives you the ability to safely use what you love about your iPhone while you drive.” More accurately (methinks) from Wikipedia, “CarPlay is an Apple standard which enables a car radio or head unit to be a display and a controller for an iOS device. It is available on all iPhone models beginning with iPhone 5 running iOS 7.1 or later.”
The answer to my second question… Yes, according to a blog from Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Monroe (wherever they are at), “As of 2017 Apple CarPlay is fully integrated in all Uconnect 8.4” systems. The 4th generation Uconnect system is available in all Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram models.”
Let me fully unveil my Ludds here. I have not owned or used a traditional computer for 10 years now. Yeah, you read that. 10. I just did the math. I’m shocked myself. I was thinking it was at several years, at least. But no, 10 years. When the iPad mini 2 came out, It provided me with all the computing power I needed. I was no longer using my laptop. I gave my wife my MacBook Air (which she wouldn’t really use until it was quite necessary to replace her aging MacBook Pro) and never looked back. Currently I use whatever this contraption is. I had to look it up. It’s an iPad Air 4th Generation with Magic Keyboard. The old mini given to a friend.
Back to topic, CarPlay? I’ll have to list that under Fucks I Don’t Give (FIDG). Any interaction I want to have between my iPhone and my vehicle is single-fold: Play my music or the one podcast I listen to (The GodPod). Guess what? As long as there is bluetooth, that’s gonna happen. I’m perfectly satisfied with the built in navigation system. For those that know me, I travel. A lot. To many places where there is no phone signal. That’s why I’ve come to rely on satellite.
There’ll be the crowd that says “I’M nOt EvEr GoNNa BUy a gM AGaiN.” So what. Don’t buy. That’s your money and your right to spend your money on whatever you want. But just like IDGAF, I’m sure GM gives less. Just like the phone world has divided up into Apple and Android and they are doing just fine, the same is going to happen with vehicles. Until I’m driving around in a GM truck, this is a moot point. If Ram decides to do the same thing, as long as there’s bluetooth, I’ll be a Happy Camper. Literally. Thats what I do. I camp and stuff.
As for me, when driving, I don’t want to take phone calls. I don’t want to take/send texts. That’s why my phone replies with that “Fuck off, I’m Driving” message. Which prompted my boy to text me, “you’re always on the road!.” Yeah. That’s it, son. I’m on the road. 😉 But it was 2 AM, Dad.” Oops, that’s the “Fuck off, I’m Sleeping” message. Oh wait, there is no message. That’s all in my head. I just turn off all notifications.