| GM has announced that it plans to open up its infotainment Application Programming Interface (API) to app developers so that they may create new apps for the system or make existing apps compatible. The move is similar to what Ford also announced (also at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show) that it is doing with its AppLink software, save for one key detail. Whereas Ford opened its AppLink (the software conduit between mobile device–based apps and the company's Sync infotainment system) to developers, GM is opening its entire infotainment system to developers. That means outside firms will be able to create apps for GM's system, not necessarily for phones or devices that run on the system. GM will offer developers a software development kit to help them get started and give them access to the system's code. The system in question forms the basis for three semi-unique infotainment setups—in Chevrolets, it goes by the name of MyLink; in Buick and GMC vehicles, it's called IntelliLink; and in Cadillacs, it's called CUE. GM's goal with its developer-friendly move is to generate more auto-specific apps that will keep its infotainment system fresh over time; if drivers are able to download new apps to their car every so often, their infotainment interface won't seem to date as quickly. To facilitate this, GM is creating an app catalog for customers to access, though it won't come online until the automaker's next-generation infotainment systems arrive for the 2014 model year, starting with the new MyLink setup in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. For CES, GM is showing off its next-gen Chevy MyLink system with four prototype apps developed with what it is calling potential partners; the apps include iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Slacker, and The Weather Channel.
While the tech world always appreciates the opening of software to the masses, tt remains to be seen just how buck-wild developers will go with GM's infotainment API. After all, even though GM wishes to see more GM-vehicle-specific apps (which will live on the infotainment system itself, not users' phones or devices), that leaves developers with a relatively small market to deal with. Unlike an app designed for an Apple product or anything running Android software, GM-specific apps will run only on GM vehicles—a relatively narrower segment. Ford faces a similar problem with the opening of its AppLink API—sure, developers can get their hands on it, but how many are likely to build all-new apps from the ground up just for Ford customers? Much more likely, a flood of popular Apple or Android-compatible apps will be converted to run on GM's system (and Ford's AppLink). But we'll have to wait and see.  from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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