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Google's Android OS To Power Dashboard Displays (go.com)
schwit1 shares a report from The Wall Street Journal: Google is making a major push into the auto industry, partnering with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to use the tech company's Android OS to power media displays (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternative source) that will eventually be sold in millions of cars world-wide. The auto-making alliance, which together sells more vehicles than any other auto maker, is picking Google to provide the operating system for its next-generation infotainment system, marking a major victory for the Silicon Valley tech giant, which has spent more than a decade trying to replicate the success it has had with the smartphone in the car. The alliance, which last year sold a combined 10.6 million vehicles globally, will debut the new system in 2021, giving drivers better integration of Google's maps, app store and voice-activated assistant from the vehicle's dashboard, the companies said. The move comes as other auto makers have been reluctant to cede control of this space to tech rivals, in part because they see the technology as generating valuable consumer data that can be turned into new revenue streams. Slashdot reader schwit1 adds: "But can I get it unlocked and can it be turned off, like this traveling telescreen?
The last thing I want in a car are more stupid gadgets. Driving is already dangerous enough with every other person staring at their phones while driving. Most people are not smart enough to do both at the same time. I know I'm not.
And, why do I need more electronics that can break? Consumer-grade software today is so incredibly shitty (just ship it, we'll fix it later), that I couldn't imagine having something as buggy as Android running my car. No thanks. My dials and gauges work just fine, and never need software updates.
I don't respond to AC's.
Oh yeah, that's just what I want, Google having yet more access to me, with no way to block or remove it. Looks like vehicles from the "Renault-Nissan-Mitsubish Alliance" are now on the list of vehicles I will NEVER buy.