General Motors (GM) has hired Mike Abbott, a former Apple executive responsible for the company's cloud services division, to lead a new software unit, just over a month after the automaker announced the controversial move to phase out Apple CarPlay on new vehicles (via CNBC). After working at tech companies such as Twitter, Microsoft, and Palm, Apple hired Abbott in February 2018. He oversaw Apple's cloud infrastructure for services like iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime before leaving the company in March. Abbott's role at GM will encompass several key functions, including information and digital technology, software-defined vehicle and operating systems, and the company's digital business. He will report directly to GM CEO Mary Barra. In a statement, Barra said "Mike's experience…

Here’s a twist in the ongoing story of GM and CarPlay. General Motors has hired Mike Abbott to run its software team, the company announced today. That’s the same Mike Abbott who just left Apple after spending five years in charge of iCloud software. more… The post Apple’s former head of iCloud will be in charge of making GM car software without CarPlay appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Mike Abbott, the former vice president of engineering for Apple Services, has departed to head up General Motors' newly created software department.Abbott, joining as a senior leadership team member, will head up a newly-integrated software department. The department will focus on developing vehicle and enterprise software technologies and solutions.The organization will deliver digital services and features to retail and commercial customers from start to finish. Read more...

Mike Abbott, the former vice president of engineering for Apple Services, has departed to head up General Motors' newly created software department.Abbott, joining as a senior leadership team member, will head up a newly-integrated software department. The department will focus on developing vehicle and enterprise software technologies and solutions.The organization will deliver digital services and features to retail and commercial customers from start to finish. Read more...

Macworld After GM’s announcement that its electric fleet would not support CarPlay, the company has some real CurrentC energy. You’ll forget all about the system you prefer! “GM thinks it can wean you off Apple CarPlay and Android Auto” Car shoppers told the Detroit Free Press that the move was “a dealbreaker” and a “huge blunder.” Auto analysts were left scratching their heads, noting that demand for CarPlay and Android Auto was “massive” and that GM was taking a huge risk by cutting off access. It’s baffling! Short-sighted! Pure hubris! But let’s allow a guy with a title that absolutely screams “fantastic user experience” get in a word. But Scott Miller, vice president of software defined vehicle and operating systems…

As General Motors plans to phase out CarPlay for its infotainment system, Ford won't so it doesn't risk losing Apple customers.Ford will continue to stick with Apple's CarPlayIn an interview with Joanna Stern of The Wall Street Journal, Ford CEO Jim Farley spoke about the state of built-in infotainment systems in modern vehicles. He mentioned rivals Tesla and GM and how the companies' decisions affect customers. Read more...