Toyota Officially Rejects Apple CarPlay And Android Auto

In a move that's puzzled industry insiders, Toyota has decided to shun Apple and Google in its next-generation navigation and in-car entertainment systems, opting instead to go with the interface from little-known company Telenav.

Other major automakers, including General Motors Company [NYSE:GM] and Volkswagen, AG have embraced incorporating Apple's CarPlay, and Google's Android Auto into their infotainment systems. But Toyota has been hesitant to cede its dashboards to either system. Its stance rejects the march toward uniformity occurring in the industry, and essentially, the notion that a new F-150, Malibu, or GTI can all provide the same infotainment experience.

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It's a bold decision, though a definitive upside to the strategy is difficult to see.

Even if the Telenav's maps, phone, and music integration is light years better than the competition—and there's no indication it is—the system will be different than the familiar smart phone-derived interfaces. And in the finicky technology industry, "different" can effectively mean "worse."

Just think about how angry people get when iTunes is updated.