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GM adds picture-in-picture CarPlay and Android Auto to Silverado and Sierra trucks
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GM’s updated truck infotainment lets CarPlay and Android Auto run in picture-in-picture mode alongside native controls, reducing the need to switch screens.
Engineers integrating infotainment systems now have a reference for how to allocate screen real estate to phone projection without overwriting native UI, which can lower driver distraction. The approach shows that adding display area can be used to enlarge touch targets and keep frequently used controls accessible while still supporting third-party projection. It also illustrates a design pattern where physical controls are retained for functions users prefer, balancing digital and tactile interfaces.
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The new UI introduces picture-in-picture display for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.
Larger combined screen area (instrument cluster, central display, passenger screen) is used to enlarge buttons and tap zones for easier operation under rough road conditions.
Physical controls for functions like HVAC remain, while some formerly tactile tools such as the oil dipstick become virtual measurements on the status screen.
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GM’s updated software replaces the previous full-screen takeover by phone projection with a picture-in-picture layout that keeps native instrument cluster, central display and passenger screen content visible while CarPlay or Android Auto runs in a side panel. The redesign includes animated transitions between menus, simplified layouts for trailering and off-roading functions, and updated graphics for the driver-assist system. These changes are tied to the increased screen real estate available in the latest Silverado and Sierra models, which combine instrument cluster, central display and passenger screen for over sixty inches of viewable area.
Adopting this architecture requires engineering effort to modify the underlying UI framework so that native apps and projection apps can coexist without interfering with each other. Teams must redesign touch targets to be larger, implement swipe-down notification panels, and ensure that physical buttons for HVAC and other critical functions remain functional alongside the new touch-based controls. Testing must verify that the system works reliably under rough road conditions, where larger tap zones are intended to reduce missed inputs.
The solution still depends on a connected smartphone running CarPlay or Android Auto; if the phone is disconnected or the projection service is unavailable, the picture-in-picture pane disappears and the driver reverts to the native UI alone. Functions that have been moved to virtual controls, such as the oil dipstick reading, may not be preferred by users who favor physical feedback, limiting the acceptance of fully digital replacements. Additionally, the picture-in-picture approach is currently limited to Apple and Android projection; other mirroring technologies are not supported.
By keeping native information visible while projection runs in a pane, GM aims to reduce the frequency of dangerous tapping and swiping that occurs when the entire screen is replaced by a phone UI. The larger displays are used not to add more information but to enlarge interactive elements, making them easier to actuate when the vehicle is subjected to vibration or rough terrain. This reflects a broader design philosophy that treats extra screen space as a means to improve usability and safety rather than simply to show more content.
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