GM Said No to CarPlay? Smart Folks Say 'Hold My Beer!' With a DIY Mod!

TL;DR: GM decided to yank Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its new EVs, claiming it was distracting. But a determined third-party developer said "not on my watch!" and cooked up a brilliant, albeit slightly techy, mod to bring CarPlay back to GM's Android Automotive OS-based infotainment systems.

Meta: GM pulled CarPlay from its new EVs, but dedicated users are fighting back with a clever, open-source mod that brings the beloved feature right back to the dashboard.

Now, listen up! You know how sometimes these big companies make decisions that just leave you scratching your head? Like, "What were they thinking?" Well, General Motors recently decided to cut ties with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in most of their new electric vehicles. They even said they're gonna pull the plug on upcoming gas cars, too. GM CEO Mary Barra went on record, saying the whole "seamless" transition between the car's native system and your phone wasn't so seamless, and, dare I say, could even be a distraction. Yeah, a distraction. Uh-huh.

Well, let me tell you, the internet wasn't buying it. People got mad. Real mad. Some folks declared they wouldn't buy a new GM car without their beloved phone mirroring features. Because, let's be real, a lot of us practically live through CarPlay or Android Auto these days. It's like trying to tell someone they can't have their favorite coffee in the morning. It just ain't right!

The People's PowerPlay

But here's the beautiful part about human ingenuity: when one door closes, somebody's gonna come along and build a whole new door, or maybe just jam a crowbar in the old one. In this case, a clever third-party developer has come up with a solution to bring Apple CarPlay back to GM EV owners. It involves a little software tinkering, an external accessory, and a whole lotta determination. It's like MacGyver got a job in automotive tech!

So, what's the secret sauce? You gotta grab a $55 adapter called the CPC200-CCPA. That's the hardware. The real magic, though, happens with an Android app. See, GM's new EV infotainment systems run on Android Automotive OS, which means they can run native Android apps. This developer, being a true hero, made the necessary code open source. So, if you're feeling a little adventurous and know your way around an Android developer account, you can compile this app and push it to your car's system via Google's Play Store. Ain't that somethin'?

Hacking Your Ride (The Good Kind)

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Eddie, is this gonna blow up my car?" Nah, probably not. But it's not exactly plug-and-play either. There's a little work involved. Once you get it all set up, there are a few limitations. For example, it only works with Apple CarPlay wirelessly, and the audio from the add-on box isn't native, but you can still stream your tunes via Bluetooth. Siri commands? Waze? A Better Route Planner? All seem to be working just fine. So you can still tell Siri to play some old-school R&B while Waze guides you past that traffic jam.

The developer has even put the project on GitHub, saying they'll keep working on it in their spare time. And who knows, maybe a ready-made app will eventually hit the Google Play store, making all this manual compilation a thing of the past. For now, though, if you've got a new GM EV and you're missing your CarPlay, this is your best shot. And it just goes to show you, when big corporations try to take away what the people love, the people will always find a way.

What's Next

This brilliant workaround highlights a growing trend: users taking control of their vehicles' digital experience when manufacturers fall short. Expect to see more grassroots efforts and open-source projects emerging as car infotainment systems become more sophisticated and open platforms. GM, on the other hand, might want to pay attention to what their customers truly want, or face a continued exodus to brands that offer the full smartphone integration experience. The real long-term solution lies in GM listening to its customer base, but until then, the DIY community will likely continue to innovate.

It's a testament to the power of the people, baby. Don't ever underestimate a determined tech enthusiast with a strong WiFi connection and a dream. Preach!