Summary

Why the Shift Away from Apple CarPlay

Rivian and General Motors (GM) have made a significant decision in the automotive industry, ditching Apple CarPlay in favor of Google Maps in their electric vehicles (EVs). This move has sparked curiosity among car enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of car navigation systems, exploring the pros and cons of built-in, cell-phone-based, and dedicated GPS navigation systems.

Built-in Navigation Systems

• Part of your car
• Built-in navigation interfaces via your car’s infotainment screen
• Information displayed on the dashboard screen and controlled via voice commands and/or steering wheel controls
• Use GPS and IoT connections to guide you

Built-in navigation systems offer a more immersive user experience, with features like head-up displays and digital instrument cluster projections. They can also integrate with the car’s driver-assist cameras to improve guidance and locate the next best charging station in EVs.

Advantages of Built-in Nav

• A hassle-less get-in-and-drive experience
• Integrated with the infotainment system and easy to use
• No battery charging issues
• Can use saved maps
• Can offer real-time traffic updates

However, built-in navigation systems can add to the purchase price of the car, especially as an optional extra. They can also incur expensive subscription costs and stored maps can become outdated, requiring big downloads.

Disadvantages of Built-in Nav

• Can add to the purchase price of the car
• Can incur expensive subscription costs
• Stored maps can become outdated
• Some systems have clunky interfaces
• You cannot replace the system in your car with something better

Cell-Phone-Based Navigation

Cell-phone-based navigation systems use free apps like Google Maps and Waze, which can be integrated wirelessly or via cable to the infotainment system. These apps provide real-time traffic conditions, directions, and other information, but require real-time data to work properly.

Advantages of Cell-Phone-Based Nav

• Free to install
• Provides real-time traffic conditions
• Can switch between Google Maps and Waze on an Android phone
• Can use the navigation outside the car
• Customizable to show user-specific details

However, cell-phone-based navigation systems have disadvantages, including requiring real-time data, not storing preloaded maps, and data use becoming expensive.

Disadvantages of Cell-Phone-Based Nav

• Requires real-time data to work properly
• Cannot store preloaded maps
• Data use can become expensive
• Requires the driver to connect the phone in most cases
• Interface can be clunky when using the phone screen
• Messages and emails can interrupt the navigation screen

Dedicated GPS

Dedicated GPS systems, dominated by brands like Garmin, provide a standalone device with a large screen that can be attached to the windshield or dashboard. They offer a better interface than a dash-mounted phone and can work outside the car, making them ideal for older cars and hikers.

Advantages of Dedicated GPS

• Very good navigation
• Can work outside the car
• Can act as infotainment, including voice calling via your phone
• Can provide dash and reverse cameras

However, dedicated GPS systems have disadvantages, including requiring an extra piece of technology, being usually quite expensive, and requiring fees to update maps.

Other Things to Know

Nothing is completely free. When carmakers provide free apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps, they get your data, which is valuable. This raises concerns about data privacy and the use of valuable data for subscriptions.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, car navigation systems will play an increasingly important role. Understanding the pros and cons of each system will help car buyers make informed decisions and ensure a smoother driving experience.

Conclusion

Car navigation systems have come a long way, offering a range of options to suit different needs and preferences. From built-in navigation to cell-phone-based and dedicated GPS systems, each has its advantages and disadvantages.