German carmaker Porsche has chosen Apple’s CarPlay over Google’s Android Auto for its new connected car. The distinct choice by Porsche has elicited a lot of curiosity from the auto world, opening a can of worms that reveals just how much Google information requires from drivers of connected vehicles.
In its upcoming 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S, Apple’s CarPlay will be used. The automaker snubbed Google because the search engine demanded too much information from their vehicles.
According to a publication released by Porsche, Android Auto tracks a host of variables including throttle position, vehicle speed, fluid temperatures and engine revs. The information is then sent to Google. In comparison, Apple’s CarPlay infotainment system only required to know the car’s powertrain control module to determine whether the car was in motion.
Part of the reason Porsche does not want such data revealed is because it believes the data is what makes its high end vehicles special. Another reason analysts believe played a role is Google’s plans to make its very own vehicle.
In a statement by Porsche however, the company said, “There’s no technological reason the 991/2 doesn’t have Android Auto playing through its massively upgraded PCM system. But there is an ethical one.”
It is immediately unclear what Google would do with all that data. Many are now questioning whether other cars fitted with Android Auto are sending similar amounts of data back to Google’s headquarters.
Apple’s CarPlay was first unveiled in March 2014 as an “iOS in the car”. The system allows vehicles to display the CarPlay interface through a touch screen positioned on the dash board. Whenever the iPhone is connected, drivers can give directions, including making phone calls, playing music, sending or receiving text messages, without having to pick up the phone.
Google’s Android Auto is for Google smart phones running on Android Lollipop or any other higher version. It provides similar features while adding several new features such as Google Now’s active information stream and functional third party messaging apps.
Porsche’s 911 Carrera is one of the most anticipated high end vehicles for the German car maker. Going with Apple over Google will increase the vehicle’s high end status while safeguarding a lot of information considered private.
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