GM’s New EV Infotainment System Adds Phone Casting, Split-Screen Navigation and Physical Controls

GM’s latest EV infotainment update keeps key vehicle information visible, improves the Android Automotive home screen, and allows drivers to cast their phones to the center display. The system also adds more convenient navigation, notifications, quick actions, and physical climate controls.

Vehicle information stays visible

A strip at the bottom of the main instrument display remains visible regardless of the selected display mode. It shows information such as fuel level, drive mode, and any warning lights that appear.

GM EVs can still cast Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The center infotainment screen continues to run Android Automotive OS. Its redesigned home screen uses a more convenient split view for music and navigation apps, while providing a full map view instead of the limited map GM previously displayed in split-screen mode.

“If you want to search for something or give feedback about things like road conditions, you tap the screen and it takes you off the home screen and shows you a full-screen map. Here, anything you can do on a full-screen map can be done directly within this window,” said Colin McCormick, GM’s group product manager.

GM has also retained the ability to cast a phone to the center screen. That means customers can continue using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto phone-casting functionality, despite GM’s earlier decision to remove those features from new EVs.

Apple CarPlay appears with towing information displayed in the card on the left.

GM

Apple CarPlay appears with towing information displayed in the card on the left.
GM

Android Auto displays travel information in the vehicle’s card.

GM

Android Auto displays travel information in the vehicle’s card.
GM

Apple CarPlay appears with towing information displayed in the card on the left.
GM

Android Auto displays travel information in the vehicle’s card.
GM

Physical climate controls remain

A dedicated row at the bottom of the infotainment screen provides climate controls. However, drivers can still adjust the temperature with a physical dial and use physical buttons for fan speed and defogging.

Notifications and quick actions improve usability

GM has integrated Android-style notifications into the infotainment system and added the ability to create quick actions. The automaker has also changed how some apps behave. For example, receiving a call no longer forces drivers to leave the active app and switch to the dialer.

GM previously said it removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone-casting functionality from new EVs to provide customers with a more unified experience. The updated system suggests that customers still have the option to cast their phones to the center display.