According to The Verge, General Motors is adding native Apple Music to the infotainment systems of select 2025 and 2026 model year Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles. The feature will arrive via an over-the-air software update through GM’s standard OnStar Basics package, which is free for eight years on 2025 and newer models. Eligible vehicles include the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, 2025 Chevy Equinox EV, and 2026 Corvette, among others. GM Vice President Tim Twerdahl stated the move is about expanding entertainment choices built directly into their vehicles. The announcement comes as GM has removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from most of its electric vehicles. In addition to Apple Music, GM is rolling out support for Apple Wallet and Digital Keys.
The Strategy Behind The Streaming
So here’s the thing: this isn’t just about giving you another way to play Taylor Swift. This is a core piece of GM’s controversial, long-term software strategy. They’re betting big that drivers will prefer a deeply integrated, native infotainment experience over the phone-mirroring systems (CarPlay and Android Auto) that are practically ubiquitous everywhere else. GM argues its system can be better—faster to connect, more seamless with the car’s own voice assistant, and capable of leveraging premium hardware like the 23-speaker AKG system in the Cadillac Vistiq for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. They’re selling the dream of a cohesive, “always on” experience that starts the second you sit down. But it’s a gamble, and customers have already pushed back hard on the removal of CarPlay.
The Trade-Offs And The Tether
Now, let’s talk about the real-world implications. The advantage is clear: no more waiting for your phone to Bluetooth sync or for CarPlay to boot up. In theory, your music is just *there*. And for a high-end audio setup, a native, high-bandwidth stream can potentially sound better than a signal routed through your phone. But the trade-off is massive. You’re now tethered to GM’s software ecosystem and update schedule. Want to use Waze, or Audible, or a niche podcast app? You’re completely dependent on GM to eventually, maybe, build native support for it. With CarPlay, your phone’s app ecosystem is instantly your car’s ecosystem. GM is essentially asking you to trust that their app roadmap aligns with your needs. It’s a shift from a driver-centric, phone-based model to a manufacturer-controlled, vehicle-centric one. That’s a huge change in philosophy.
The Bigger Picture For In-Car Tech
This move is a fascinating case study in the battle for the digital dashboard. Automakers see tremendous value—both in user data and potential subscription revenue—in controlling that screen. GM is one of the most aggressive players here. But are they too far ahead of the curve? The backlash to dropping CarPlay suggests they might be. Adding Apple Music is a smart, necessary step to make their proprietary platform more palatable. It’s a key “sticky” app. Pair it with digital key functionality via Apple Wallet, and they’re building a suite of features that, while not as comprehensive as phone mirroring, starts to look compelling on its own. It’s a long game. They’re trying to build a walled garden while convincing you it’s a luxury park. Whether drivers buy in, literally and figuratively, remains the billion-dollar question. For industries that rely on robust, integrated computing in demanding environments, this push for control and custom software platforms is a familiar story. Companies that need reliable, high-performance computing hardware for industrial automation, for instance, turn to specialized suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, because off-the-shelf consumer tech just doesn’t cut it. GM is betting that off-the-shelf phone software doesn’t cut it for the future car, either.
