They could just let the developers develop for whatever on top of it (Qt, Gtk, whatever) or they could implement some Android compatibility layer (but why bothe

They could just let the developers develop for whatever on top of it (Qt, Gtk, whatever) or they could implement some Android compatibility layer (but why bother, it's a moving target that will just be very obsolete within a couple years). No, doubt on the obsolete part, but that is already the problem they have with their existing proprietary solutions as well (see also TV, and game machine companies). Spotify isn't jumping up and down and making app updates for 10 year old Toyota's and I don't imagine the next media darling will be interested in porting their app to a 2025 era car in 2030 either. Hence android, where in theory the car manufacturer could at least provide an app compatibility shim to run the latest entertainment apps. Its a moving target, but its a target. The other choice is just to standardize an android auto/carplay, and start treating the cars like dumb handset/display devices. Which I predict is what will happen since the car companies are even less capable than the LG/Samsungs of the world of creating and maintaining a media platform. And everyone is already in the google/apple ecosystem which doesn't show any signs of being replaced, at least not over the next 5-10 years. Basically they have already lost the war, and don't even know it. Sure they can reskin a navsystem, but no one actually uses the ones the have now they just aren't as good as asking siri to direct you to the local restaurant. Worse the car manufactures are deluded if they think they can sell map upgrades and a bunch of other connected services. I would be curious to see actual dealer surveys about why people are purchasing upgrades, because I'm betting its a case of, someone wants the leather, and they end up buying the fancy infotainment system to get it. As I mentioned elsewhere, no one uses those systems except as bluetooth handsets these days, and just about everyone I know thinks they are garbage. They are the modern equivalent of a CD player in a car and the automobile manufactures just haven't noticed. Same with remote starters and the other long list of "services" the car companies think they can charge extra for which are just fee harvesting until the next whatsapp or whatever shows up with a better freemium model.