Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on Cadillac's 2016 Cue system

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
6/9/2015

Cadillac announced today that its Cue infotainment system will integrate Apple's CarPlay out of the gate on all 2016 models. Android Auto will roll out shortly after the initial wave of 2016 models go on sale this summer. This is part of a broader overhaul of Cue.

 

David Leone, Executive Chief Engineer at Cadillac said of the new systems, “Cadillac’s product transformation includes continuing upgrades to connectivity and in-car technology. In 2015 Cadillac became the first luxury brand to feature broad use of wireless charging and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, and now in 2016 we’re moving quickly to enhance phone integration and overall system performance.”

 

The basic idea of both Apple and Android integration is that some of the app functionality and screen views of the phones we all know and love will now be weaved into the in-car system. Cadillac will place a "projection" icon on the Cue screen to more easily enable the Apple functions which will include Siri. Android's system is built around Google Maps and will also allow Google talk (similar to Siri) WhatsApp, Skype (hopefully not for the driver) and other apps.

 

If there is any downside to this, it is that the phones need to be physically connected to the car via USB. The Bluetooth function alone cannot support the integration. Cadillac also plans to use a new, more powerful processor for Cue. This will make startup faster and enable faster map and music apps.