Infotainment continues to be a major draw for most new-car buyers, with the latest and greatest infotainment features often touted front and center by automakers. Of course, when it comes to smartphone support, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the undisputed standards of the industry. Nevertheless, GM says it will move away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the launch of its latest EV models. Which begs the question – is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto a dealbreaker?
Back in March of 2023, it was reported that GM will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring with the launch of its future electric vehicle lineup, starting with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. Instead, GM’s future EVs offer a new infotainment system developed in partnership with Google, which will enable GM to capture additional data on how its customers drive and charge their vehicles, as well as provide an additional avenue to accelerate its digital subscription services strategy, a move that GM hopes will generate between $20 billion and $25 billion in annual revenue by the 2030 calendar year.
In an interview, GM vice president of software, Scott Miller, defended GM’s decision to no longer offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, stating that the company was “very comfortable with [the] decision.”
“We are going to evolve and learn, and I think we are going to be in good shape here,” Miller said.
All things considered, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are relatively new features, launching roughly 10 years ago. That said, many drivers these days insist on having it in their new vehicle.
So then, we want to know – is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto a dealbreaker for you when purchasing a new vehicle? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM technology news, GM electric vehicle news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Yes!!!! If I can’t use my Android auto for free count me out of any future GM products without that ability.
You can run your Android Auto apps natively on cars with Android automotive and use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your car to it for data.
That will not work for things like SuperCruse, but that has nothing to do with Android Auto or CarPlay.
For Android users you’re not missing anything.
Except the caveat is after 8 years your WiFi plan stops being free when Apple Carplay and Android Auto continue to be for free in other brands. It pays to read the fine print.
The car’s hardware will probably be outdated by then anyway. Look what OnStar has already done to GM owners. Dropped ’em like a hot potato.
Good point.
Umm, what? My car has Apple Carplay AND WiFi. After the free WiFi ends, I will STILL have Apple CarPlay. It pays to understand WiFi and Apple Carplay are two different things.
Let’s not forget that gm’s infotainment system always fails. I’ve had to buy least two radios, I’m not going to be shelling out $1400 every year for Garbage GM infotainment Systems. G m’s greed is going to be their downfall. Yes, this is definitely a deal breaker for me. I love cadillac, but there are lots of other cars out there.
No lol it wasn’t needed before until about 2018. I’m guessing people forget you can buy an adapter to get those same features… it’s never that serious to not buy a car because you can’t screenplay a map
Yes but when a company offers something universally used and accepted now amongst many manufacturers only to then roll it back in favor of something to charge you its not a good look for the company. And remember when people leave GM for say Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai, chances are those customers are NEVER going to come back especially when they have better reliability and are sticking with these two features. BMW tried something like this (charging for Apple Carplay) and man they got railed hard by their customers for it. Only Mercedes and Audi were supporting them for doing this…
You miss a lot of details in that comment.
Currently, GM offers Apple Carplay. They charge you for a data plan. They make money.
GM plans to remove Apple Carplay, but provide a new system. With the new system, it will be a free data plan for 8 years. They lose money.
GM is not doing this with the idea that in 9 years they can start raking in money. Not when they are already making money off a subscription plan. They are doing this so they are not so reliant on others for their infotainment system.
I know what they offer. I have an XT5 and had the data plan for the first three months as part of the OnStar package. And yes I can use my AA and my wife Apple Carplay without the data plan. But how would it work with this new system? It seems like it works only through the car. Which means the car needs a data plan rather than through the phone. This is where they will try to make their money.
Yes, but for new cars (EVs at least) that data plan is FREE for the first 8 years. Which I have stated now multiple times.
It will probably be free on ICE vehicles as well, since they want their customers to experience the new system and don’t want to drive off potential sales.
Stop saying free like it means you wont be paying in other ways. Android and Google do not have a way to seemlessly integrate with Apple products. See iMessage. So those with iPhones (which is majority of US market) will not get many features. And it will be worse. But then again maybe GM just looking for more reasons to not have people buy EVs other than the plentiful reasons that already exist.
The entire point is that the system will be fully independent and DOES NOT EVEN USE your phone! So no, it doesn’t matter what phone you do or do not have!
The data WILL be free, for 8 years. Sure, you pay for it in other ways – such as buying the car in the first place! Did you think of that one?!?
Don’t want the data plan – then hotspot your phone for data usage.
It definitely is something I will take into consideration. Maybe not a dealbreaker, need to check out the systems before making that call.
But those systems need to have the apps I use a lot and can synch with my accounts.
So Apple Music, Audible, and maps.
Making phone calls and voice to text response for text messages has to be seamless.
I don’t think things like calls and texts will go away. Cars started adding them as standard by law because of too many accidents due to driving and using cellphones.
I thought gm was committed to a bunch of zeros that included zero accidents. If so, I fail to see how charging owners of a vehicle to display their phones’ information on a proper screen achieves that. It seems profits win over safety on this one. Very disappointed in gm on this decision, and I will be shopping elsewhere after 30 years of exclusively GM vehicles.
They aren’t even allowing you to display content from your phone on the car’s display.
It’s all in-car services.
Safety wins out on this actually, since it doesn’t use the phone at all! The system ALWAYS works – even if you don’t have a phone.
If you for some twisted reason think that your car showing your text messages on the screen is safer than reading the text messages on your phone, then you are just wrong.
GM’s system will STILL have hands free calling and audible text messaging. That was around before Apple Carplay and will still be around without Apple Carplay.
In a word, Yes.
While one issue is the functionality, the other issue is manufacturers trying to earn subscription revenue for features on a car that you have already bought.
I use Apple Autoplay all the time…the Maps is much easier to use and more accurate that than the NAV embedded in both 2023 CT5 and my 2024 XT6 Cadillacs. I particularly like the wireless connection.
Yes, I live in a state where hands free phone is the law.
I depend on Car-Play everytime I get into my GM vehicle. Wireless is great. But I DO NOT like the thought of purchasing a subscription and have to learn a knew system.
Yes, This would be a deal breaker .
GM don’t see it as a Deal Breaker because they don’t want to.
One thing that people need to remember. This new Google system is not the reason why GM is taking out CarPlay, Volvo has the same software in their cars and they have CarPlay. Same thing for Ford in their 2025 cars. Plus besides the reason being they want to take more of your money, they also control what apps you can use. Are you a iPhone user who subscribes to Apple Music? Sorry the GM system only works with Spotify. You can play your Apple Music through Bluetooth, with 2008 audio quality. Who wants to do that!
I DOWNLOADED THE NEW NAVIGATION APP FROM gm AND IT IS NICE BUT IT DOES NOT SYNC WITH MY PHONE. IT SHOULD SO IT MAY BE A DEALBREAKER. I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY ANYMORE SINCE I PAY FOR ON STAAR AND XM ALREADY.
I was wrong. I just purchased a 2024 Escalade and there is a connection to link CarPlay and it works great. The music and all
My phone numbers sync along with voice email. No problem here.
They can keep it.
And yet all the Teslas out there seem to do just fine without carplay
Another blunder by GM. How they hope to keep up w a provider like Apple and its App Store is beyond me. This is Barra trying to be Musk since Tesla does not mirror CarPlay or AA on their screens but they also don’t charge subscriptions either. GM is painting itself into a corner. I will shop elsewhere.
The difference is that Tesla never offered these to begin with. Right from the bat their cars were what they were and people loved them for what they had to offer. Also, the basic Wifi package which allows for OTA updates is free of charge from what I understand. GM does not have that luxury and people can easily ditch them for other brands that offer these two systems. Ford and Stellantis are options for those that want to stick with “American” manufacturers.
The lack of Android Auto would not be a deal breaker, but I would go back to mounting my phone to use apps like Waze. But I’m concerned about the comment, “…a new infotainment system developed in partnership with Google, which will enable GM to capture additional data on how its customers drive…”. What additional data will be captured and who will it be shared with? Will be have an opt out choice? Will it be shared with insurance companies? And a big no to paying for subscription services that I already have on my phone. This is sounding more like New Coke, GM.
Yes. I want the Android Auto integration without paying some sort of fee.
Combine this with the mandatory OnStar “option”, and GM is off my list.
This is nothing more a blatant GM billion dollar money grab from its’ future customers. I hope the next time GM fails as it did in 2008 and highly likely will again under Barra leadership there’ll be no taxpayer handout to save them.
No one got a handout before.
Couldn’t care less. Don’t know what I would do with either one.
Silly you. You’d drive without any distractions!
Even driving with no “noise from the right front seat has a calming effect!
AM/FM radio works great!
AM/FM is just fine!
The marketers from SiriusXM finally got the message when I told them that all of my paid for music is saved on a USB, works great and to quit bothering me via my radio and snail mail!
I get to choose exactly which album and music or songs, exactly when I want and occasionally save podcasts on another drive if there are any of special interest.
I’ve trained techs on how to use and diagnose infotainment systems, but it doesn’t mean that I’m just another “lamb led to slaughter”, who just can’t live without the subscription feeds to the Google Built-In in my own truck.
It’s also not just because I’m an old fart as Boomer’52. Very few of the techs of any age that I deal with daily, choose subscribe to any of the services in their vehicles. Using Car Play and Android Auto isn’t high on their needs list.
The one place I can remain disconnected, is in my personal vehicle!
This whole buying a vehicle and then having to subscribe monthly to get the features of the vehicle to work is a complete sham. No thanks GM.
The aftermarket wins big here as there will be demand for work arounds or outright replacements..
General Motors executives have become very arrogant with the politial embracement of battery vehicles, giving the UAW wages that aren’t affordable for American society, telling the low level salaried employees that they bonuses will be decreased due to politically embracing non-selling battery vehicles, giving their low level salaried employees only half the pay -raises percentages that GM gave the UAW workers (and none of the improved UAW benefits) and now telling me I have to pay for services on a car I already bought. I don’t think so, Mary. Mary and Roger Smith, what a legacy for GM, egotistical losers.
I won’t even plug my phone into a vehicle unless I’m using a charge-only cable or a data blocker, so no not a problem.
No one really needs those features to drive any car. It is only for occupant personal satisfaction. I drive cars since 1967 and I never needed even A/C or a radio to drive!
No deal
I certainly got my Blazer EV reservation fee refunded right after they cut CarPlay, and won’t consider the Equinox EV now. As crappy as the Toyota software is, I went and got a Solterra because it is just a ridiculously awesome vehicle to drive and plows through snow like crazy, even on the stock tires. I don’t see any of the GM EV’s touting off-road chops or even ground clearance.
The Prologue EV based on the same platform as the Blazer EV, has CarPlay and 7.9in ground clearance, and significantly more range than the busy forks. And I think looks a lot a better.
Where did you learn your math skills? How is 296 miles of range for the Prologue FWD “significantly more” than the Blazer RWD’s range of 314 miles? Just to clue you in, the bigger number means more range.
I was absolutely considering the Prologue as it is very nice looking and supports CarPlay, unfortunately it (like the Blazer EV) is horribly inefficient. I get almost double the number of miles per kWh as the Blazer and Prologue in my Solterra, but I’m still looking for what’s going to work as our second EV that will be able to work well on road trips. Equinox was on the list until GM refused to support CarPlay.
Very creative math Bob! I didn’t realize that 104MPGe (Solterra) was almost double 103MPGe (Blazer EV). I guess my math skills are a bit rusty.
The Solterra has less range by 60 miles and much slower DCFC speed 190kW versus 100kW for the Solterra. The Solterra is more efficient, but it’s also smaller.
Everybody who just responded, zoom in on the reason, it is to sell more subscription services so you are able to use your car at all, they expect 20 billion revenue on going, on your back.
Andthey are comfortable with that.
So I am very comfortable not choosing a car that is subscription dependent, not choosing a car that lacks airplay.
And super fine choosing a Toyota or Honda that is as advanced technically
GM is saying you will get 8 years of free data when you buy the car.
This tells me more that they are planning to sell your data to advertisers via the google method.
If the reason were technical maybe, but the reason is financial. GM wants a subscription revenue stream based on a less popular product.
I prefer advanced tech, always. I will buy where I get the tech. And Airplay and CarPlay are the tech.
This is GM just trying to drain your wallet even more. They screwed everyone with OnStar once, why not do it again!
Then we can all go back to how it was in 1999!!!
Driving my old truck today, realized I have no way to connect asmart device.
And NOT going to pay a monthly fee
I am too accustomed to dealing with one eco system in vehicles. Car play in both of our vehicles and it is so annoying to get a rental that does not have it. Why would I want to pay for things that I already have and know how to easily use. No carplay. No GM.
A survey conducted by Apple of iPhone users found that 80 percent of them said that they would not buy a car that doesn’t have CarPlay. I am one of the 80 percent. And this removal of CarPlay cost GM my purchase of the car I bought at the end of 2023. It’s a Toyota, a brand I never thought I would never buy. But my Sequoia, has a big 14” center screen and you have CarPlay on all of the 14 inchs.
Absolutely a deal breaker
The car hardware is cheap and slow when new. It cannot be upgraded like a phone can be. It does not account for those locked into the apple ecosystem.
It wouldn’t be a dealbreaker per say as I only use google maps and waze on my Android Auto system (and mostly listen to FM radio). But some things GM should be made aware.
1) I will not be paying a damn penny into keeping my Wifi in the car working. So you will be sorely disappointed if you think I will part take in this subscription extortion fad.
2) If the competition, lets say Genesis as an example, made an equally compelling product on par with say the Cadillac I am looking at but the Genesis has Carplay and AA free, nothing is keeping me back over at GM and actually I also have a good history with Hyundai so I have no issue going over to the competition.
3) While I said it may not be a dealbreaker for me, it may be for my wife who does very much use Carplay and is very outspoken of inconveniences to the point that she may force my hand to another brand. She will not be afraid to say “What is this stupid @** Cadillac with no Carplay. Please. Look elsewhere for our next luxury car.” And at that point its ALWAYS a losing battle.
Just some things for GM to consider with this decision.
it isn’t a dealbreaker, but it puts your product out of contention with competitors.
GM has enough trouble with their software in their vehicle computers. GM is not ready to try and jump in the entertainment aspect of things with their own software.
I never really cared for the way android Auto interface looks on my cars screen. I like the built in GPS better and you do have to pay XMS for Traffic, Weather and gas prices. Also you have pay for map and business updates. I know that this article does mention what others say about this is when using Android auto and Apple Car Play your phone is charging and pulling power from the cars battery’s. So while you are using it you are reducing the amount miles you can drive before your in car needs charging. From what says it really reduces run time. I would say just pass on the EV tech that’s been around decade or more and the power grid which is mainly Coal in US cannot handle charging at this time and until we get a greener power this not going help the environment like it should plus we have to dispose of all the battery’s bad for the environment. Go Hybrid Car
Are they going to give people free navigation that has live traffic updates and works really well? Because Android Auto and Google maps does.
Nothing good will come from this. They will lose sales and market share to give people an inferior product so that they can get some more info?
Every year GM loses me a little more. No big deal, I was just a typical lifer that now drives a Ford.
It WILL be Google Maps, so yea.
“stating that the company was “very comfortable with [the] decision.””
GM will be very “uncomfortable” when all their EV’s are piling up on dealer lots. They will be scrambling just like they are now with the PHEVs. #FAIL
What PHEVs are they struggling with? You do know what a GM vehicle is correct? Or maybe you don’t know what a PHEV is….
Pretty sure he was saying they are struggling to come up with some. Unfortunately they will be poorly thought out and rushed to market so will not be competitive with anything else on the market. Just focus on making the EV’s better and adjust production as sales fluctuate from one platform to another.
Well then Wesley needs an education. GM stopped making hybrids in 2019. They are transitioning fully to EVs. Why move backwards? That WOULD be a #FAIL.
Yes it’s a deal Breaker. Escalade has some serious competition & more coming next year. I don’t like how Barna has been leading the company & attempting to force us to accept its politically influenced changes. GM just lost another customer.
FWIW, my ’23 Sierra has the Google Built-In system along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, so on occasion I’ll admit that yes it’s handy. However, it wasn’t a pro or con purchase consideration, since I don’t rely on apps or my phone for anything while focusing on driving.
I don’t use all of the available features by desire. My choice and the radio and other features I use work just fine.
I’m quite happy not being tied to my phone. Others may have different needs and desires and I respect those perspectives. We’re all unique, so views may often be opposing and that’s fine.
From the technician aspect, many of the functional issues that vehicle owners have with infotainment systems, are directly related to the iPhone and Android phones not syncing, pairing or working properly in concert with one another.
A significant amount of time has been wasted by technicians since the introduction of these infotainment apps, having to deal with owner’s phone issues and vehicle apps, than actual infotainment system component issues.
Old phones that don’t meet the system requirements, or are lacking software updates and are mismatched to the software levels of the apps on the vehicle, have long been common experiences.
The customer is PO’ed at the vehicle, but the phone or vehicle app that is outdated and no longer paired is 99.99% of the time the issue.
Despite wanting “high tech” phones and gadgets, the fact is that many would do better with “flip phone” technology, instead of buying more device than they have knowledge and brain power to manage.
So, why Google Built-In?
Moving away from phone-based BYOM (Bring Your Own Media) type devices with phone projection, eliminates at least 90% of the above issues.
While initially balking at the thought of no longer having Apple or Android device projection, for the long term it makes sense. One system with updates that match and folks get used to it quickly.
In the long run actually makes it much simpler for the techno-challenged, but acceptance will take time.
Also consider this. Who knows how long those Apple and Android systems and services in their current format, will continue to be compatible? If the current apps “fall off a cliff” tomorrow, what is left? Absolutely nothing. There’s no guarantees in life.
Apple Car Play and Android Auto found their way into systems during the mid to late 20 teens. Retro-fit kits, modules and adaptive technologies were introduced allowing earlier models access to the apps.
Now, Google Built-In has moved in to be a force to be reckoned with.
I have little if any doubt, that there will be high quality work arounds available that will integrate for those who absolutely can’t live without the apps and there are already portable displays available, with such capabilities.
The built-in system has a commitment to upgrading, whereas Apple and Android offer no such commitment. However, we’d be fools to believe that something “newer and shinier” won’t come onto the scene from these two companies that offers the techno-cravers something new to slobber over, but sadly will not be compatible with their vehicle.
The Google system is designed to be future proofed (at least for the foreseeable future) and most manufacturers are heading towards subscription-based services.
FWIW, BMW, Tesla, Toyota, Porsche and others have been reported as being notables for requiring subscriptions for some basic vehicle comforts such as heated steering wheel, seats and other features.
Want that extra ooomph? No worries, just ante up $$$$$ and you got it. Want increased EV driving distance? We got that covered too for $$$. This is the new real world and like it or not, we can expect more. Heated seats, steering wheel, selected safety systems, $$$$ here we come.
Don’t for a moment even harbour the notion that these now seemingly basic vehicle features can be enabled by wiring in simple mechanical switches or relays. “Contact bounce” is a condition where mechanical switching in electrical circuits, can result in electrical system malfunctions and result in an array of associated DTCs, on modern networked vehicles.
Sorry, this ain’t yer Dad’s Oldsmobile that “Bubba” can bypass to make things work ‘cuz you don’t wanna pay!
Like it or not, technology developments bring change that frequently results in initially negative reactions, with adaptation usually following soon thereafter. Eventually, it just happens.
Don’t think that switching from your favourite brand to others will not be without similar concessions and compromises.
This is such a load. The phone is ubiquitous and both Apple and Android have built massive ecosystems supporting them. We use our phones for practically everything we do today. Whatever GM envisions building is so irrelevant, redundant, and useful for only a small portion of what we do every day, Their main focus should be in building transportation. The facts are the GM is eyeing the TESLA model of paying for upgrades. However, GMs track record for doing consumer software and services is pretty poor with OnStar being a good example of it. I simply can’t imagine that GM could have the economies of scale that either Apple or Google have in spreading development costs across billions of phones and of the thousands of developers that build apps for their ecosystems.
They should stick to building vehicles and leave the mobility technology to those that do it best.
Why you make some good points, you need to implement a strategy technology plan to transition consumers not just mandate or make the change. The majority of consumers use Apple or Android which are not going away anytime soon. If GM/Google were smart they would integrate or allow Apple and Android. This approach would allow the consumer to use Apple or Android in parallel to using their new app which would allow them to use the features, functionally and hopefully will see it’s advantages. That said, GM and Google (Chinese Company) are partnering to be able to collect data, both vehicle and personal in addition to collecting additional revenue through subscription. Bottom line, companies who want to be successful need to listen to customers before making major changes whether it technology or marketing, if not, there will many more Bud Light Moments.
i HAVE APPLE CAR PLAY IN MY 2022 SILVERADO AND I STILL DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE IT. MAKE WHAT THEY HAVE MORE USER FRIENDLY.
No Android Auto, No deal! I was looking forward to purchasing the Chevy Equinox EV but will not pay for any subscription.
Hmm? So you don’t have a phone contract with a data plan? Or did you not realize that is a subscription?
At least GM gives you 8 years for free… Most people don’t even keep their vehicle for that long.
The vehicle can run Android Auto apps natively and you can WiFi hotspot to your phone for data.
Yes.
GM wants to generate income from: subscription services. On the current corvette, they have multiple packages with the largest being 49 dollars a month. I signed up for none and drive everything through my cell phone via car play. I am not even using the 1 year free Sirius radio ad the interface is poor. Just like rushing into electric vehicles and missing the hybrid wave, GM continues to make poor decisions that will drive away customers.
OnStar will still have subscription packages. It is the data and some features that will be free for 8 years with EVs. OnStar services will still have subscription packages that are not free. With their new system, you will still be able to connect your cell phone to the vehicle. You just won’t NEED to connect your cell phone to the vehicle. You want to use Google maps, then just use it natively on the car instead of through your phone.
Until we actually see the new system, there is no point in criticising it.
GM did NOT miss the hybrid wave. They were fully into it for over a decade. It was just time to move on. No reason to remain stagnant.
Deal breaker. Morons.
Thanks for making up my mind GM
I will now look at other products since you made up my mind for me
I’m an old guy and seem to be missing something. I have a 2021 GMC pick up LTZ and it will probably be the last vehicle I own. My truck has the current system it came with and I have an I-phone which works through the infotainment system. Are you saying that my vehicle will no longer work with Apple Car play, or will it affect only the new vehicles purchased when GM goes to the new system. Will my Infotainment unit be over the air upgraded automatically to a subscription based system or just STOP working? I was really ticked off when they stopped the CD-player which was a big mistake but that is another story. Sorry very confusing for me. Could someone please clarify in English. Thanks.
100% a dealbreaker for me. It was already a dealbreaker in 2018 when I was shopping for a new vehicle, and I passed on the Highlander because they hadn’t yet adopted Android Auto.
The infotainment system is the hub of the in-car experience. It means everything to me.
I need another data plan like a hole in the head. My phone is my plan and has different map apps that are free. GM wants to monetize everything.
Do you use another app besides Google Maps, Waze, or PlugShare? These are all built-in.
Lack of CarPlay and/or Android Auto certainly a deal breaker as are other defeaturing going on. Honda Accord Hybrid – no spare donut tire + no sat radio – dealbreakers for me. BMW – pay for heated seats? – NFW. What’s next – subscriptions for A/C or power steering? Really – this nickel and dimeing on $40k+ vehicles is out of control!
I believe this is a test by GM. What can we remove and charge you for to gauge how sales and customer satisfaction are affected before we make the big push for monthly subscriptions. Like your heated seats? Heated steering wheel? Some brands charge you for them to function. As for the 8yr free subscription, my understanding that covers new vehicles and GM hasn’t put out anything for used. If I buy a low mileage vehicle that is a yr or two old and have to pay because the previous owner had it included in the purchase price, deal breaker.
Yes dealbreaker. I don’t use it all the time but why go thru the trouble to remove it? Do they want to make money of your data so bad? Or are they gonna nickel and dime you with a subscription later to get it back?
It’s not a technical limitation since pretty much all other manufacturers with infotainment based on Google Automotive have CarPlay and Android Auto
I have a 2022 Sierra with the google system. . Cancelled google after my data bills got to $70.00 a month and rely on Waze for maps. Monthly bill $35.00
Last week my Text to talk feature stopped talking. I get notified thru Android auto that a text is in the in box but it will no longer read out loud. Pushed the “blue button”
My advisor tells me I ned to buy a data plan to continue getting active voice texts.
Have spent hours on phone trying to explain that I don’t want GOOGLE data (for a fee) when the system worked just fine a week ago