Apple unveiled forthcoming updates to its CarPlay software at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, ones that should further its infiltration of automotive touchscreens as a more robust automotive operating system.
But will it prove too late? Google’s automotive operating system is already starting to ship, with more automakers signing on with Android Automotive. (This is not to be confused with Android Auto, which merely mirrors your smartphone interface.)
Nevertheless, automotive consumers carry phones use both Apple and Android operating systems, and Apple stated during its Monday presentation Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault and Volvo are among the automakers that have said they will support the more robust CarPlay software once it arrives.
The next generation of CarPlay
Apple provided a preview of the next generation of the CarPlay, which allows iPhone apps to be viewed and controlled through the car’s instrument panel. But this new version proves to be a substantial development as automakers replace traditional automobile buttons and knobs with an increasing number of touchscreen controls. Apple will increase CarPlay’s integration into the car’s hardware and its various touchscreens, transforming it into more than simply an iPhone mirror.
From what could be gathered from the keynote and the images shown, future versions of CarPlay will be integrated into the instrument cluster with a choice of themes, backgrounds and colors. The new program would integrate Apple Maps into the instrument cluster’s speedometer, temperature and battery gauges, and transmission indicator.
CarPlay would continue to support iPhone apps such as Apple Music, iCal, Weather, Home and other functions. The software is scalable for different sized screens, allowing you to adjust the climate controls or other automotive convenience features through Apple’s user interface.
Apple lags Android Automotive
Apple said that the next-generation CarPlay’s availability wouldn’t be revealed until late 2023, with most drivers not seeing the updated system until 2024 or 2025. That should give Android Automotive plenty of time to get ahead of Apple in establishing itself in the automotive cockpit.
But the next-generation of Apple CarPlay comes as Apple continues to work on its long-lived automotive R&D project, Project Titan. Whether the long-rumored “Apple Car” will ever arrive — it started in 2014 — is anyone’s guess. But the new software would give a clue as to what the alleged vehicle’s operating system might resemble.
Some CarPlay updates coming sooner
But major CarPlay updates are coming later this year with the arrival of Apple’s iOS 16 operating system.
CarPlay currently offers categories such as food, parking and EV charging. Coming this fall are two new categories: fueling and driving, the latter providing with road information, toll support, towing help, and more. Apple is also expanding its podcast library, allowing users to listen to episodes that have been downloaded or saved, not just those offered under “Listen Now.”
Other iOS 16 updates include an Apple Map feature that allows you to plan up to 15 stops in advance along a route. There are also likely to be more wallpaper design choices.
Few operating system choice
Google’s move into the automotive infotainment software space comes as automakers have, for the most part, had to create their own operating systems, not unlike the early PC and smartphone markets. But PCs and Smartphone software vchoices have been whittled own to a handful, which should eventually happen in the car infotainment space as well.
Android Automotive, which is based on Android 10, is currently used on Ford’s 2023 EVs, General Motors EVs (except Chevrolet Bolt), Polestar and Volvo C40, XC 40, 60 and 90. Honda is planning to roll out its first Android Automotive-based vehicles in late 2022. Stellantis’s Uconnect 5 is also based on the OS.
But aside from Android Automotive, and the forthcoming Apple CarPlay, Blackberry has been the main offering with its QNX solution. Ford, which once used Microsoft, but switched to QNX with the launch of Sync 3 in 2015. The automaker ditched Microsoft because its OS was too costly, too slow and too hard to use. But Microsoft still counts Volkswagen Group among its clients.
Automakers using ancient software
For its part, General Motors also announced in May that it is also working with Linux-based Red Hat for its new operating system, after its Android 6.0-based infotainment software proved so buggy, it’s led users to file class-action lawsuits. The automaker isn’t alone in turning to Linux for its OS. BMW, Tesla, and Toyota are among those using Linux. Honda, Hyundai, Kia are among those still using outdated versions of Android, with Honda using version 4.0.4 and Hyundai/Kia using 4.2, according to online reports. Both are a decade out of date.
But this should change as both Google and Apple battle for automotive OS supremacy.
