Software updates are already a part of life for smartphone and PC users, but this societal norm is starting to gravitate to the vehicle as well. In the next few weeks Cadillac will roll out the first significant update to it’s Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system.
The update is expected to provide stability enhancements to address complaints, as well as a few new features. Most notable, the update is enabling Cadillac drivers to leverage their phone’s voice assistant via the steering wheel. For Apple iPhone users, this means that Siri will be able to be utilized through the car’s audio system.
Apple calls this Siri “Eyes Free” meaning certain functions typically available through Siri—such as asking the meaning of life—will not work through CUE. The system will also work with other smartphone voice assistants so long as the phone is using a Bluetooth profile that’s loaded into the CUE system. Additionally, the update will increase functionality to more media players through the USB port, and for the extremely popular Cadillac owners, CUE will download up to 3,500 phone contacts, up from today’s 1,000. Cadillac says to expect an overall increase in CUE’s performance. Specifically, certain gestures on the touchscreen, and the capacitive touch button reaction times are to be improved with the update. The CUE system, not unlike other automakers’ infotainment systems, has come under scrutiny for being sluggish and buggy, which Cadillac states is feedback they've received and considered with this update.
Rounding out the updates is a mild reworking of the navigation functionality. While mapping data will remain the same, the system has been tweaked to display more street names, and the logic behind destination routing has been revamped. Unlike some competitors, Cadillac is not having customers update their systems on their own. Instead, current CUE owners will receive a letter in early March informing them that they may voluntarily have their car updated at a dealership free of charge. Once taking the vehicle to the dealership for the update, owners may opt to have a Cadillac loaner vehicle to drive while their car is receiving the update. An ARM 11 3-core processor, with two of those processors dedicated to voice recognition, powers CUE.
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According to Cadillac the system also houses hardware that is currently not being used by the software, enabling the system to be “future proof” to a certain extent through future releases. The extra hardware is likely to be utilized on the next update to CUE, which is allegedly going to enable app functionality on the system. GM recently released an API to developers to develop applications for CUE and the company’s other brand-specific infotainment systems. No timeline has been released regarding when customers and developers can expect applications to be ready for download.
Cadillac CUE is currently available on the 2013 ATS, SRX and XTS. All three vehicles will be eligible for the software update. Dealers are expected to receive the update and installation instructions later this month, with customer notification to follow after that. The download is 'massive.' Expect incremental updates via OnStar in the future, though. What is 'massive?'
A couple hundred megs? An OS installation can't be more than 1-3 gig. At which point, incremental updates should be less than that. CUE is.NIX underneath. A lot of this stuff should be done over air. Tesla is doing it now. Mercedes and Chrysler are slated to do limited updates soon.
Hopefully Cadillac can get this done as well. It would be simpler. Also, Cadillac should force the update and not make it optional. I'm impressed that they're jumping on this immediately. I can still remember the decade or so the auto industry required to figure out that CDs were the way music was being played. This shows a significant shift in the thinking of the industry.
They've always taken the view of 'the design is frozen and we can't do squat 'til next year, or next major update.' That they're doing this within months of introduction shows they've become a great deal more flexible.
Now if they'd just get more flexible with things like colors outside and colors and materials inside. I'll take a wild guess that forcing updates would be legally no bueno. Besides, the dealer update provides a significant opportunity for engagement.Why would it be a legal issue? Say, every time you start your car, there's a little message that says, 'Please update your CUE.'
And it doesn't go away. IOS downloads the update and then asks if you want to install. Install at your own convenience.
I don't want to interact with my dealer unless I have no choice. GOing to a dealership is not convenient. Car purchases aren't something you do monthly or so, so building a relationship with your clothes/shoe salesperson is not analogous. So it's a different type of interaction. If I'm going to my dealership monthly or some period shorter than that, then there is something seriously, seriously wrong with my car.
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Among other changes and updates, are getting a notable (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system. But owners of pre-2016 model year equipped with CUE will not be able to receive the update for their vehicles. “These are hardware updates along with some software updates. Pre-2016 vehicles cannot be retrofitted”, Cadillac told us. Dam, you Truly Missed the Point Big Time, let me say this Slow so you and the Rest of your kind(Technically Challenged) can Maybe figure out what is being saidThis product did not come out 5 years ago, it came out last year, and at this point in time products do have the ability to get over the air updates, are you following me now?? So your In-conceived statement about products that didn’t have that Opportunity to have that option 5 plus years ago is Irrelevant and Short Sighted, the Engineers should have had the foresight in knowing an update was coming and been better prepared for that, try to get with the Program, cause Samsung S4 can run Lollipop just fine, but the Hardware on the S6 is Way Superior then the S4 if you can even understand that!!!!!
You just don’t get it. Software updates can only do so much if the root of the issue was a slower processor or inferior touch screen. Your analogies hold no water either as both the 2015 and 2016 will run CUE (just like the S4 and S6 running Lollipop) but the 2016 will have hardware improvements, just like the S4 vs S6 again.
I’m not sure what about it you don’t get, but it’s clear you are not a technical person. There will always be advancements in technology if you want to be at the cutting edge. Now go petition Samsung to offer a firmware update to turn your 720p plasma into a 1080p unit with a firmware update, over the air too. Wasn’t part of the master plan to enhance the customer experience?
Then comes this news – oops, sorry, forget what we said about CUE updates. Want the current version?
Come on in for a trade. Sorry about the resale value. But we have new colors!
And our best products will be available in a few years. We probably could cover the cost, but moving to NYC is expensive, and we only have $12 billion to keep Cadillac from becoming as irrelevant as McDonald’s.
I recently saw an SRX with the vanity plate ‘FOSSIL’. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
As a professional who is involved in the health and safety of my community, I am furious about the notion that the 2015I (yes, I – not the standard 2015, but the latest, mid-year major “I” upgrade) that I purchased and received in December 2015 may not be capable of accepting a firmware update that has the capability of improving the safety of my family as well as others on the road. Speed, accuracy, and access to the rear and 360 cameras at the touch of a button (as opposed to needing to flip my car into reverse transiently just to make sure there aren’t any children near my care) are issues relating to safety and shouldn’t limit one’s ability to upgrade.
The system is so slow and poorly responsive that it forces an additional glance just to make sure the screen moved to the next step. Insult to injury, I’m certain that if I hack into my car’s system (which, according to numerous white hat sources is quite easy for outsiders to do for malintent such as disabling brakes, etc.) and force an upgrade, I’m certain I’d void a warranty. I know enough about coding to contest any notion that an upgrade is not possible for earlier users.
I HOPE THAT, IF CADILLAC FAILS TO ALLOW FOR UPGRADES TO ENABLE MAXIMUM FUNCTIONALITY BASED ON USERS’ HARDWARE, SOMEONE FILES A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. One death, or anything beyond, is on the shoulders of whomever is responsible for such a greedy and unnecessary decision. Please, Cadillac, don’t do this to your customers. I assure you, if you do, I will see to it that any potential buyer who’s researching a Cadillac online will find posts about such detestable business tactics. If I’m wrong, and you are planning on allowing such upgrades, I offer my sincere apologies for this post.
I am DISGUSTED, as this news now confirms Cadillac LIED when they first introduced the CUE system. Up until only several months ago, the Cadillac website clearly stated that existing CUE system would be able to grow, as new technology was introduced (Hence the reason the units were built with the ability to swipe to the next screen when new icons i.e. New features were made available). If this promise was never made, I would not be upset. I don’t think it’s quite right to lie to a customer base who is spending $50K to $70K on their product.
Cadillac just lost a longtime customer. As someone who purchased a 2015 Cadillac Escalade Premium with every option plus and almost $8k in additional warranties bringing the total value of the truck to a close $125k CAD including tax; not being able to upgrade my CUE system to Include Apple play is awful. I was promised when I purchased the truck that it would soon be compatible with IPhone.
I wasn’t aware of this feature until I was put into a rental (BASE) Yukon because my ridiculously expensive truck needed an engine rebuild at 40,000km. As a previous Cadillac owner I must say that I am truly not satisfied with this truck and it was the worst money I ever spent. I could get a $30k car with more options and more reliability than the hunk of junk I purchased. Yeah I just purchased a 2014 ELR with 98 miles, It was sitting at a dealer for almost a year and picked it up for $38,500. My CUE is locking up and reboots. The navigation is re-routing me hundreds of miles out of the way. I was driving from Texarkana Tx to Wichita Falls, TX on Highway 82.
The GPS kept on trying to route me to I-635 hundreds of miles off my intended route. Car is going to the dealer for service. I don’t mind paying out of pocket for the new CUE system with Android Auto and other features if it would fit into my 2014 ELR. I have seen them on the net for $995.00. Just curious to know if the 2016 ELR CUE would fit into my 2014 ELR I have had the car 5 weeks and has already gone to the dealer once for several sensors that went out due to sitting idle almost a year and now a screwed up CUE. I was excited to buy this car but now have second thoughts. I have a 2011 CTS with no problems at all.
It sucks Cadillac is screwing owners by not providing CUE update for 2014/15 ELR. I understand that it is a hardware problem. Sounds underhanded to me to treat those that paid $60,000 for car and don’t get any type of support for the manufacturer. At least offer owner the opportunity to buy the new navigation CUE hardware at a discount so it will run the new software. I HAVE Been a Cadillac owner 15 years and this situations pisses me so much that I am going to sell both of CTSV and ELR and buy a Tesla. At least they treat customer fairly and all cars no matter what year gets free updates.
Cadillac needs to change their attitude about the way of doing business especially when someone spends this kind of money for a car 95% of the population don’t want. As A Gesture of Goodwill, Kia Updates Older Models With Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Kia has announced that CarPlay and Android Auto will be available as free software updates for a wider range of select 2014 to 2017 model year vehicles equipped with UVO3 or a compatible navigation system.
Models eligible for the CarPlay update specifically, in addition to the 2017 Sorento and Sportage, include the 2017 Forte, 2015-16 Optima, 2015-16 Optima Hybrid, 2015-16 Sedona, 2014-16 Soul, and 2015-16 Soul EV. Glad Kia figured it out!!! Common Cadillac!! Cadillac.punked by Kia!! I have printed proof Cadillac said CUE will always be updateable for the life of the vehicle so CUE will never be out of date. I have 13 XTS great car that Cue ruins. So slow and Nav cant find1 many locations.When shown car salesman showed the extra screens for apps- None of which ever showedup.
The owners manual even talks totext messaging. The car i turned in a 2012 Ford had my ford touch and all owed listing to texts and responding with about 10 responses you could program. I’m steamed i have contacted gm for thee years.
Now i have the proof and im gonna take it to them. 60k car shpuld get updates we were promised.Now they say sorry your car needs hardware updatewell guess what itsays your cue will be updateable for the life of vehicle. Going after this BIGthey are not getting away with thisi will put lemon stickers on my car and traveling to park near Caddy dealers if they dont replace the unit or give me a fair offer- they offered 24k on a trade a year ago.2 years old exactly 30,000 miles not a nick anywhere. This car stickered at 60k FIRED UP going after them. Yeah I am still pissed paying lots of money for 14 ELR and the CUE never works. Half the locations cant be found and when driving it automatically states traffic conditions have changed, Re-routing. It wants to follow all the damn back roads out there in East Texas.
Always wants to route off a major highway into some secondary road. I checked on getting Android Play but would cost about $400. I travel and now I use my tablet since CUE sucks. May be worth the money Since Cadillac wont fix this issue or honor customer loyalty by changing out the system which I know they can do, I am selling my ELR with only 4850 miles and buying the 2017 Genesis Couple.
I have been a caddy man for 20 years and never will purchase another Cadillac. I have 2010 CTS with 47,000 miles and no problems at all.