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BREAKING NEWS: Jeep joins Google's Open Automotive Alliance

14K views 84 replies 28 participants last post by  1stJeepGC 
#1 · (Edited)
Today Google announced AndroidAuto, and Jeep was announced as one of their new partners. The story is developing. I will update this thread with information as it becomes available.

UPDATE: Here's an article with video demo. http://jalopnik.com/googles-domination-of-your-dash-starts-with-android-aut-1595959590

YouTube video from Google: Android Auto: The right information for the road …: http://youtu.be/Ht8yzpIV9M0


UPDATE with statement from Chrysler:
“Becoming a member of the Open Automotive Alliance offers us a great opportunity to explore how we will bring a familiar set of Android features into our Chrysler Group, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Uconnect systems globally. This membership will complement our mission to enable drivers to stay conveniently connected while keeping their hands on the wheel and their focus on driving.” -Alan Amici, Head of Uconnect Systems and Services, Chrysler Group LLC.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I like the concept but no cell phone will replace certain dedicated hardware like GPS. Sure I have off-line maps on my but I downloaded them for IL and WI as they occupy too much space to do all of US. And frankly I don't want to remember to download every time I go out of state. The GPS sensor is sensitive but...not quite sensitive enough. I was in Seattle over Memorial Day, the regular GPS could not figure out where we were...(around that waterfront market place) and frankly the phone wasn't much help either, though I could make a phone cal out. Down town Seattle, never mind rocky mountains Colorado. And unfortunately I think that mating the cell phone and the car is a recipe for disaster. Just wait till someone figures out how to jailbreak the phone and the system and enable Angry Birds to be played at red lights.

ACLU might even see it as an invasion of privacy. What next? Google checking up my speeding habits with data mined from the Carplay system and I get traffic lawyer ads in my Gmail? Don't know about you, but I am already weaning myself of Gmail. Free services are good but I am already data mined by Google beyond my liking. And for whatever reason, I am yet to find an interest in the adds that get generated by my online searches.
 
#8 ·
To me a multi 4x4 product and Apple product "cultist" owner I can relate better to - leopard, mountain lion and Yosemite
than Android "cutest" - cupcake, jelly bean and kitkat.

We all have our preferences and I'm not pressuring mine on anyone else. Just my attempt at a humorous observation.


Sent from my iPad using JeepGarage
 
#10 ·
Hyundai has already agreed to develop for both CarPlay and Google Android. Any automaker willing to ensure they capture the market as a whole is probably going to be in the best position. Remember VHS vs. Betamax or HD-DVD vs. BluRay and those companies taking one side vs. investing in both.

Time will tell but be certain that the cell phone will become a main source of integration for the car. We are already seeing that.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#13 · (Edited)
For those of you that don't like the idea of Carplay or Android Auto, don't fret. It looks like most of these will be optional additional interfaces - almost like a feature that you can choose whether or not to use. Do you want the built-in old maps, no problem. Do you want the latest maps through android and social traffic reporting, then that is there as well.

So in summary, be happy for those of us who will now have the option that we have been looking forward to for so long.
 
#15 ·
So in summary, be happy for those of us who will now have the option that we have been looking forward to for so long.
Certainly not unhappy these features will be available, but in the past the addition of new functions/features usually meant out with the old/in with the new. Hopefully all will be happy. :thumbsup:
 
#14 · (Edited)
Greetings,

Whether you settle on Google or CarPlay, the truth of the matter is these platforms are bring forward what technology should be in today's car headunit. Most notably the update navigation options. Here in this case, not only does the map get update more often than the OEM, the software functions are updated along with new features. On all of the OEM system from all the car manufactures, the chief complaint is always the maps. In the same token, the aftermarket HU have been very slow in integrating new technology until now.

You look at Chevy and how they use the smartphone to integrate the navigation into the Cruz is what I consider forward thinking. The app they use is Bringgo, and it is download into the HU for seamless operations.

The real key to these platforms such as Google and CarPlay is how the 3rd party apps are going to work. Music seems not be a problem and social media along with internet browsing. It comes down to the navigation issue. Their are many excellent apps for both platforms that offer you chooses from free to paid, from decent to superior navigation for both online and offline. Traffic apps are important also. Some traffic apps overlay into the navi app during routing. POI and weather apps of all kinds. These are critical 3rd party apps that everybody can use from the city driver to the highway driver and to the vacationer driver. As of today, nothing has been mentioned about these being integrated into CarPlay or Google.

If you are looking for a traditional aftermarket that is superior in every aspect to the OEM, then the Kenwood DNN 991 is the way to go. This radio comes closet to a smart system. However, if you like the built-in GPS navigation, you can only update the maps.

As my fellow member, SEEINGWHITE said, "So in summary, be happy for those of us who will now have the option that we have been looking forward to for so long."

As for me, if CarPlay does not work the way I want to, then will integrate a iPad mini into the system. Time will tell how these platforms will develop. So stay tune.

Best for now.:)
 
#19 ·
not only does the map get update more often than the OEM, the software functions are updated along with new features.
IMHO the bolded section is not a feature to be excited about. Anybody with an Android phone that blindly accepts SW updates knows how quickly a piece of software you know and love can be ruined. In my car I don't want to have to try to figure out a new user interface every few months when they "upgrade" things. Maybe if you can turn off the auto update feature that'd be better.

Re: the map updates, does it actually download new maps for your vehicle's onboard database at some interval or does it go out to the Internet and search for maps each time you punch in a destination / bring up the map?

I'm still not stoked on the additional layer of data mining this will bring.
 
#16 ·
Am I the only one concerned with social networking, social media, and social traffic updates while driving? I think that is dangerous and would lead to accidents. The last thing I want in the Chevy Cruze next to my Jeep is for the teenager to be updating his Facebook page at the traffic light...or worse, when driving.
 
#17 ·
Greetings,

As I understand it, the Chevy Cruze is only using the smartphone to download the navigation only into the headunit. All other apps does not integrate except for music. The advantage of this system is simple, you get the latest maps (it is know fact that app based offline maps are updated faster than the OEM), corrected software and updated new features. Thus you do not have to buy a new car to get the latest and best navigation. If the aftermarket world would do the same for the in-dash GPS Headunits, then you do not have to run out spend $700.00 to $1,500.00 again. The problem with the mirror functions within the in-dash hu, the navigation does not run as seamless and smooth (Pioneer's AppRadio is another story in itself). The more time you spend getting between sources can led to a potential disaster. This is why Chevy deserves brownie points for their efforts.

I know that both Garmin and IGO Primo have platforms for sometime now that works like the Chevy Cruze and so far no takers. If you read the numerous thread and post over the years here at JeepGarage.org, their has been a strong following that the navigation updates be of the same equal as of the smartphone in all categories. In this day and age, I still can not understand why they have not implemented this.

Music apps is no different than the functions of the CD, usb or sat radio for the music sources. Their is always be some form of distraction. With regards, to traffic, many of the apps today are providing safer ways of viewing and listening to traffic.

Today's teenage when they are accompanied by the parent as the passenger, 99% of the time will not play with the phone for texting and social media. I am most concerned with the teenage who thinks they are pro driver and those rookies playing with the phone for those purposes. Seriously, heavy multitasking does not belong the road. I can not tell how many times both on city and highway roads I see teenagers play with the phone. This issue has come up in many different threads in the forum about teenagers.

On the main audio thread for the Wk2 checkout these excellent threads as well:

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f155/2014-8-4-uconnect-wiffi-interface-kit-76356.html

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f155/carplay-72368.html

The sole purpose of both CarPlay and Google is to provide a seamless way to incorporate the latest technology into the vehicle for both OEM and Aftermarket system. Provide a safe way so the driver does not get distracted, especially over a long period of time. I am for all types of navigational aid and music. However, I still have my reservations on the social media and internet usage by the driver.

Best for now.:)
 
#34 ·
Yep but the important statistic is which is the most used by jeep owners - anecdotally I'm guessing its apple


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#39 ·
I am really looking forward to both android auto and apple carplay. I think both of these solutions will go a long way in helping to keep peoples eyes off of their cell phones and on the road. While I have read that talking over a phone (or in this case TO your phone) can be very distracting I just have to think that doing it while your eyes are on the road has to beat sneakily texting on your cellphone in your lap. Google's voice recognition has been awesome when I use it and the more things I can reliably control via that the better in my opinion.
 
#44 ·
#45 ·
Greetings,

For those who want an aftermarket unit for the Google system, Alpine announced today in Japan, that in 2015 products will be available. Sometime this fall, CarPlay is due out by them first.

Best for now.:)
 
#52 ·
OAA will produce an interface with defined functions....just like what has already happened with bluetooth, wifi, nfc, and usb. Somehow the various manufacturers with separate "customizations" all manage to have functional devices that use the above mentioned standards and interfaces. OAA will be just another standard interface.

These customizations are just different launchers and menu designs. The underlying OS is the same. Yes, the hardware varies and the OS is compiled with the necessary drivers to support it. This is not that different from PC manufacturers.
 
#53 ·
Hi Tully,

On the Google Dev channel they said that Android Auto makes use of Google Play Services on the Android mobile device itself. What that means is that Google can update all Google certified phones (which are effectively all name-brand android phones with google apps and play store) without the manufacturer or carrier needing to release a normal software update. This is an oversimplification, but basically it means that if you have a modern Android phone with Google apps then it will work with Android Auto.

I hope that clears up any confusion.
 
#54 ·
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#56 · (Edited)
Carplay....excellent! Now we don't have to listen to the Apple crowd bashing Android and repeating the same tired arguments that haven't had actual affects on the market or user functionality.

I'll refrain from bashing them in their "REAL Breaking News" thread although that's a pretty arrogant announcement. I'm happy for them! :)
 
#57 · (Edited)
As an admitted Android user and supporter, I am glad that Jeep/Chrysler got on board and announced future support for Carplay. It makes sense to support both platforms and the competition is good for product development and innovation.
 
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