Have you ever wondered how many things you could do while driving? Sure, you could just be an attentive steward of a two-ton killing machine, orrrrrr, you could futz with this dongle over here, maybe take a bite of this tasty snack here, and maybe check that text message that just came in. And thanks to a new app for your carโs infotainment system, you can order coffee, all from the comfort of speeding down the highway.
As reported by CNet, the app is called Marketplace and was unveiled on Tuesday by General Motors. Marketplace uses your carโs touchscreen to allow you to order and pay for food and drinks from brands that have agreed to be part of the service, which already includes IHOP, Wing Stop, Applebeeโs, Dunkinโ Donuts, and of course Starbucks. CNet notes that it will even allow you to make reservations at TGI Fridays, which begs the question, โTGI Fridays takes reservations?โ
Though not yet released to the public, Marketplace will soon be available to 2017 and 2018 models with compatible infotainment setup from all GM subsidiary brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
On the surface, it seems convenient to be able to order ahead of time using your carโs infotainment systemโI guess just calling places with a phone is too big of an askโbut I canโt imagine Marketplace has streamlined the placing of complicated orders to cut down on time you are distracted? I mean, how many different touch screens are you going to have to go through to order one simple extra hot Grande half-caf vanilla latte with a double shot and a sprinkle of cinnamon?
The only possible upside to any of this is that maybe your car will gain sentience and develop the willpower you donโt seem to possess when it comes to adding extra caramel drizzle on your Venti Frappuccino. โIโm sorry, Dave. Iโm afraid I canโt do that.โ
Zac Cadwaladerย is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas.ย Read more Zac Cadwaladerย on Sprudge.
*top image via General Motors