GM and other auto manufacturers are turning their backs on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Here’s why.

When I was shopping for a new car this year, it had to have Apple CarPlay. That was a dealbreaker. No CarPlay, no purchase. And I’m not alone.

I can’t speak for Android Auto, but CarPlay is wonderful, offering me access to apps on my phone without fumbling for things. Not only does it make the driving experience better, it’s also free.

Yeah, about that “free” thing. GM has officially made it known that all their new vehicles won’t support CarPlay or Android Auto in any of its vehicles going forward, opting instead for a bespoke made-in-house infotainment interface. It believes it can create an even better experience for drivers. Things like Maps, Messages, and a number of other apps all cost nothing to use once you buy a phone and install them.

Although those who have tested GM’s interface say it’s fast, easy to use, and offers many of the same apps. While Spotify is included, Apple Podcasts and Apple Music are not.

Why would GM (and Tesla and Rivian and a few others) do this? Because if they control the interface, they can charge a subscription to use it, thereby opening a new source of revenue for them. In other words, if you want audio entertainment in the car, you’ll have to pay for it–including, perhaps, basic AM-FM radio, something that has ALWAYS been free since the 1930s. Manufacturers also don’t want Silicon Valley companies controlling their vehicles.

So are the glory days of smartphone apps running on your dashboard coming to an end? What of Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra? Is EVERYTHING we want to use destined to become a recurring subscription instead of an outright purchase?

I’d count on it. Yuck.