Apple
When General Motors began releasing vehicles without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the backlash wasn’t just about convenience. It was about trust. Owners worried they would be pressured into paying monthly fees just to do basic things like stream music and use familiar apps. We addressed this concern in our previous article on moving and why it felt like a costly misinterpretation. GM’s messaging at the time, including a spokesperson’s clarification that this strategy was tied to future vehicles and its own software direction rather than adopting features from existing owners overnight, helped, but the concern remained: When phone mirroring is gone, what else becomes a subscription?
With this week’s update, GM is addressing exactly this pressure point. For 2025 and newer GM vehicles in the US and Canada, the company is now bundling something called Standard Streaming in its OnStar Basics package at no additional cost. The key point is that the built-in internet connection required for audio streaming is included in the box for eight years from the first purchase, greatly reducing the fear of the “paywall” of ownership. You still pay for your individual services like Apple Music, Spotify, Audible, or whatever you use, but the data line that makes those apps run through the vehicle is covered.
GM is also adding a native Apple Music app that runs directly on top of its Android Automotive-based infotainment system. The rollout will take place via over-the-air updates initially for selected Cadillac and Chevrolet models from 2025, with other GM brands expected to follow. Cadillac owners get a nice bonus here: support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, one of those features that sounds like marketing stuffing until you hear a well-produced track in a properly tuned cabin. At its best, it can create a real sense of depth and placement that standard stereo simply can’t recreate, and it’s exactly the kind of premium audio flexibility Cadillac buyers expect.
Of course there are still some catches, and they are important. The free streaming connectivity is part of OnStar Basics, but it’s not the same as the paid OnStar plans, which include things like remote commands and advanced navigation features. Previously, 2025 and newer models required a $9.99 per month OnStar Connect subscription to get this connectivity, and older models with Android Automotive are in an even more difficult situation: 2024 and earlier vehicles don’t get the free streaming benefit and still require a paid subscription, which can cost $14.99 per month, and the new native Apple Music app isn’t available for these earlier vehicles. This breakdown will feel difficult for buyers who purchased early, especially if they assume that software upgrades would continue to improve the experience over time.
Still, this is an important signal when linked back to the CarPlay decision. GM seems to recognize that the base trim needs to feel spacious and seamless, not gated and cheap. Eight years of streaming connectivity is a real concession that makes it easier for many buyers to accept the “no CarPlay” reality, and it’s consistent with the earlier speaker update in our story, which suggests GM has been more focused on its next-generation platform strategy than simply taking away features for the sake of it. Whether this is a true course correction or just smart damage control, it’s the first step that truly addresses the biggest practical problem: People want their music, podcasts, and audiobooks to simply work every day, without turning the ownership experience into a subscription math problem.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is an experienced automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful companies and providing strategic advice across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership skills have earned him recognition and contributions as a trusted expert Automobile addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the automotive world.
