General Motors is late to the realization that the majority of drivers hate touchscreens. However, GM is committed and some Cadillac models are about to get what amounts to, in software terms, a ‘quality of life’ update. A series of updates based on customer feedback is on the way, and buttons are part of it. But it’s not the buttons people want. Nor is it the CarPlay or Auto that they want, which begs the question: is this really based on customer feedback?
GM Desperately Wants You Not To Miss CarPlay Or Auto
GM operating system update.GM
While GM hasn’t completely killed off Apple CarPlay and Android Auto yet, that’s the plan. But to successfully do so, GM’s infotainment system has to check a lot of boxes. Among them is the ability to easily access various functions, and to help, “buttons” are getting bigger. These aren’t actual buttons, but the little digital icons on the screen you touch to access different features.
Needing to push an over-the-air update to increase the size of touch targets for frequently used controls suggests there’s a long way to go. However, GM has seen the importance of music services like Spotify and the update includes a new side-mounted queue showing upcoming songs. Along with a new queue, there’s also a dropdown source selector that “lets you effortlessly switch between audio apps.”
More generally, the update brings sharper graphics and text for head-up displays when fitted, and the Bluetooth setup process is made smoother by removing a step.The music and display improvements are notable, but the update also hints at something more consequential — a quiet signal that GM may be planning to remove physical controls from its cars entirely.
Second Users And Seat Controls
GM operating system update.GM
For shared vehicles, owners will be able to link a second user profile to the seat memory buttons. Essentially, changing to the second profile will adjust the seats and the user interface and settings for the second driver. For the seats, there are new on-screen graphics mirroring the layout of the physical seat controls on the door. As that’s a redundant control, it’s likely an indication that GM is planning on moving those controls to screen only.
The over-the-air updates will roll out to 2025 and 2026 models, including electric Cadillacs like the Lyriq, Optiq, and Vistiq, but also on the CT5. Other GM-branded vehicles should see some of the updates, including the seat memory profiles. Electric vehicles get an extra update with improved labels and descriptions for the in-vehicle charging app to make features easier to understand.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Interior Infotainment Showing Apple CarPlayHyundai
It’s hard to see how GM will pull off getting rid of the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring features and not lose customers. The convenience of linking the infotainment system directly to driver’s phones and apps is a huge deal to a lot of people. Even more so for users who are used to Apple Maps and conveniences like its link to their contacts.
As doomed as the commitment to removing CarPlay in particular looks, it will be interesting to see how much of an effect it has and if GM can make an infotainment system that can be close to as useful. GM is using the Google Built-In system and plans to put Google Gemini AI into its cars, but that forces people into Google’s ecosystem when Apple’s mobile operating system holds close to 60 percent of the US market share.
Source: General Motors
