GM has found a middle ground for meeting consumer demand for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while carving out space for its own infotainment offerings: a split screen.
The details: The new user interface, which follows previous reports that GM would phase out CarPlay and Android Auto, will launch in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra pickups, with other models to follow, according to Engadget.
The trucks feature a 60-inch display on which a front-seat passenger can stream video, while drivers can access CarPlay and Android Auto functions without losing sight of vehicle gauges.
The setup minimizes the need for drivers to switch screens when using smartphone-based apps and GM-native infotainment features, while also helping to reduce distractions.
GM said it worked with both Google and Apple to develop the split-screen user interface.
What they’re saying: "We were one of the first automakers to bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into our gas-powered vehicles. Now with the new UI, we've integrated the experience more deeply than ever before in our light-duty pickups," Mike Wahlstrom, GM's executive director of software product management, said in a Q&A, per Engadget.
Why it matters: GM’s split-screen approach gives dealers a way to offer customers the familiar smartphone integration many still consider important while showcasing the automaker’s own infotainment features, potentially addressing a key purchase consideration without sacrificing GM’s broader software strategy.
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Between the lines: GM’s split-screen user interface could benefit the automaker as competition around software-defined vehicles intensifies and car buyers continue to rank CarPlay and Android Auto as significant factors when considering a vehicle.
The global vehicle subscription market is projected to grow from $6.56 billion in 2026 to $21.81 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights.
A study by American Trucks found that 55% of drivers surveyed indicated that the inability to use CarPlay is a “deal-breaker” when buying a new vehicle, along with 36% of Android Auto users.
"People really like CarPlay and Android Auto because they're so user-centric. We heard from customers that they want that same simplicity while still having quick access to everything their vehicle can do. Our next-gen UI brings those together in a cohesive way," added GM’s Wahlstrom, regarding the new user interface.
Bottom line: GM’s split-screen approach preserves CarPlay and Android Auto while expanding GM-native features, removing a potential purchase barrier while giving dealers more technology to showcase and help close the deal.
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