GM's Search for In-Car Tech Lands on Google

In the ongoing war for control of the digital space that is the modern car, Google just conquered a major swath of territory. This week, it and General Motors announced that the tech giant's Android operating system will underpin the infotainment systems in GM's cars, starting with some model year 2022 vehicles. For future Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC drivers, that means built-in access to Google Maps and the ability to use Google Assistant to make calls, send texts, tune the radio, and more, without plugging in their phones. For GM, it's an admission that people don't want its house-made infotainment tech, and to give them what they do want. For Google, it's more direct access to more consumers--GM accounts for 17 percent of new car sales in the US--in the rare place where they're not supposed to have their phone in their hand.