WHY Hasn't ANY Automaker Or Supplier Done THIS Yet?! Is THIS The Infotainment Answer Consumers Have Been Waiting For?

Once and a while a great idea pops up. Even more rare though is when it hasn't been done before. Agent 001 has mentioned this to me previously and I actually just read a LinkedIn editorial saying that Steve Jobs had the exact same vision years ago.

Essentially, instead of having a clunky infotainment system that costs anywhere from $1,500+, the vehicle's infortainment would be "piped" through a mobile device — like an Apple iPhone or iPad — application. THINK: your phone already has all of the things these infotainment systems promise to do, except it does it much better.

There's been plenty of times I've hopped into a vehicle and decided to use my Apple Maps instead of the vehicle's in-car system. It's just...better. There are a multitude of other examples I could use, but I am sure you have your own.

To me it seems pretty obvious the concept of having an in-car infotainment system is becoming dated quickly and, frankly, it's a waste of money. Especially when the automakers don't always do the best job of designing user friendly graphical user interfaces (GUI). Perhaps this is best left to the experts. Let the car companies build great automobiles and let the tech business execute excellent hardware and software.

Some companies are coming online with Apple CarPlay but that means we still have to purchase the package to get the screen, which means buyers are STILL making that initial cash outlay. Why wouldn't automakers ditch the screen and just have some sort of mount to let users attach their personal mobile device?

So, I have to ask: WHY hasn't ANY automaker or supplier done this yet? Would THIS be the appropriate answer that YOU have been waiting for?

TheSteve - 2/26/2015 12:19:23 AM

+1 Boost

WHY hasn't ANY automaker or supplier done this yet?

Because they can charge $2800 for a nav package and a sufficient number of consumers will buy it. FWIW, I prefer a nice portable dedicated Garmin GPS. They're a no-compromise solution that's second to none.

TheSteve - 2/26/2015 12:20:44 AM

+1 Boost

FWIW, my Garmin 3790LMT from years ago continues to do the trick. It cost US$379, just a fraction of what a factory unit costs.

Agent00R - 2/26/2015 12:32:14 AM

+1 Boost

Good choice!

Personally, I would never buy a vehicle with the in-car infotainment system if I could avoid it.

The only systems at this stage that are actually easy and good at their job are BMW's and Mercedes' iDrive and COMAND. Ford's SYNC and Chrysler's UCONNECT are GREAT as well but IMHO none are worth the initial cash outlay when I can do everything from my phone.

valhallakey - 2/26/2015 1:24:42 AM

+1 Boost

I already use Navigon on my iPad mini, nice solution that does not require data connection. Overall though I am a button fan for things that can be controlled by a button, lever, knob etc... Those you can adjust by touch alone, with any kind of screen control you have to take your eyes off the road to mess with it which is not normally a good idea.

cidflekken - 2/26/2015 1:29:45 AM

+2 Boost

Like most technology, just a matter of time before it comes to fruition and commonplace.

atc98092 - 2/26/2015 8:09:57 AM

+3 Boost

For me, the phone screen is too small to be useful while driving. Plus, in many states you will get pulled over for looking down at it. Even if you aren't texting, the police will think you are. Yes, some sort of dash mount would help, but you're still looking at that tiny screen.

I like what Apple and Google are doing: casting the phone apps onto the car screen. You get the benefits of the larger, in dash display (often integrated into a screen directly in front of the driver), steering wheel controls, and the latest and greatest versions of the apps you want to use. This includes navigation, music (particularly Pandora or Slacker) and more.

Vette71 - 2/26/2015 10:47:52 AM

+2 Boost

The same issues that every IT manager in any organization faces every day. The interface issues between all the software systems are a bear to manage and keep up. There are no standards. Plus the users, like all of us on this site, could never agree on which system (Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc) we want the base device to have in it. So like any IT manager you set up the one system you want and require your users (the buyers of your cars) to adhere to something you can control. Software costs money to develop so you charge for it.

Agree with atc98092. Using phone screens while driving is an accident waiting to happen.

w222 - 2/26/2015 11:38:27 AM

+1 Boost

Once cars start to drive themselves running a full blown os in a car will start to make sense. In the mean time Apple and Google are trying to build their car infotainment platform which are simply stripped down versions of their mobile os platform.

I think a standalone nav unit is still necessary since you might forget to bring your phone.

TehShibbs - 2/26/2015 11:53:32 AM

+1 Boost

IIRC, when the Lexus CT200h came out back when I worked for Lexus, it came with a stand thing that sat in the cupholder and was supposed to hold your phone for Navigation and Pandora and whatnot.
They initially told dealers to hold off on ordering the cars with Navigation, because it was expected that most customers would choose to use their own mobile devices.

That being said - I refuse to install manufacturer specific applications on my phone because I can see the future. These applications will want to access all my contacts, my personal data on my SD cards, my camera, my microphone... all that jazz. The app will also constantly run in the background, killing my battery life, even when I'm not in the car.