This is a sign of things to come.
GM is going to replicate the phone interface on the dashboard. Why is this a smart move? Cost and user satisfaction for starters.
Why write an expensive suite of software for a car (that drivers will likely not fall in love with) when there are already apps in the marketplace that do the job? GM takes this one-further by creating their own GPS app and putting it up for sale in the marketplace.
Besides, people already love their cell phones. They’re carrying around their music, favorite applications, contacts – everything in-car software seeks to emulate.
I’m thrilled at the prospect of jumping in the car and taking the Android (yeah, I just outed myself, but I pack a Touch as well) experience with me from the office to the highway.
I expect other car brands – and certainly car radio manufacturers – to follow suit.
This move makes total sense to us. We recently spoke with a GM at a golf course who noted that it was going to cost $80k to outfit his golf carts with GPS powered course guides. Why? Instead, they are going to get an app at a fraction of the price and let golfers install it on their smartphone of choice.
Now we just need a way to keep that darned phone charged for 18 holes…
