Apple Has Just a Few Weeks Left to Launch CarPlay 2 in 2024 as Planned

[MacRumors]

Apple's website continues to state that the first vehicle models with support for next-generation CarPlay will "arrive in 2024," but with less than three weeks remaining in the year, time is running short for the company to meet that objective.

One reason to remain optimistic is that a similar situation played out last year. Apple said the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay would be previewed in late 2023, and while that seemed more and more unlikely as the year-end approached, Aston Martin and Porsche finally shared some dashboard concepts on December 20. Just in time!

That's all we have, so far, though. Concepts, leaks, and promises.

Aston Martin last year said next-generation CarPlay would be available in its DB12 sports car, but it has not shared any specific plans. Meanwhile, Porsche told us it had no imminent plans to launch next-generation CarPlay as of late November.

It has now been more than two and a half years since Apple first announced next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has yet to launch.

Apple has not publicly commented on next-generation CarPlay in a long time, but it has continued to make preparations behind the scenes. Last month, for example, a few redesigned next-generation CarPlay icons appeared in iOS 18.2 code. However, iOS 18.2 was released earlier this week, and there is still no sign of the new CarPlay.

Apple also filed to protect its next-generation CarPlay designs in the European Union last month.

When it first announced next-generation CarPlay a few years ago, Apple promised deeper integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, a dedicated FM radio app, widgets, and more. The interface would be tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's brand identity.

Next-generation CarPlay is expected to be available in new vehicles only. It will not be an update for standard CarPlay.

Here is how Apple describes it:

This next generation of CarPlay is the ultimate iPhone experience for the car. It provides content for all the driver's screens including the instrument cluster. This ensures a cohesive design experience that is the very best of your car and your iPhone — with designs for each automaker that express your vehicle’s character and brand. Vehicle functions like radio and temperature controls are handled right from CarPlay. And personalization options ranging from widgets to selecting curated gauge cluster designs make it unique to the driver.

During its initial announcement, Apple said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. Aston Martin was announced later. It is unclear if that list remains accurate, however, as some automakers have since expressed hesitation about ceding the in-vehicle software experience to Apple. That doesn't guarantee that next-generation CarPlay is dead in the water, but the list of partners could end up being smaller.

Apple has not responded to our several requests for comment about next-generation CarPlay this year, but as of now its website still promises a 2024 launch. Apple and car makers have 19 days remaining to pull off the feat within that timeframe.

Do you think Apple will ever launch next-generation CarPlay, or are you convinced it is vaporware? Let us know in the comments section.

Article Link: Apple Has Just a Few Weeks Left to Launch CarPlay 2 in 2024 as Planned

 

[arggg14]

It ain't happening.

 

[Plutonius]

I would rather that they miss a self defined deadline in order to get it right.

 

[Think|Different]

I don’t really think it works like that?

 

[Eminemdrdre00]

I'm sure it's ready to go, but it seems like the car makers don't want it.

 

[contacos]

That's not gonna happen. We don't work over Christmas unlike Hallmark Christmas movies imply

 

[Astuces iOS]

Apple has few weeks to release swift assist lol

 

[Algr]

I think that CarPlay has turned into a power struggle. A phone could easily take total control of the car, if designers allow it. But automakers obviously don't want that. Hence we have absurdities like every car having a USB port, but no car having a clear place to put your phone.

I wonder if this is why Apple tried to make a car themselves? Was it some kind of bargaining chip?

 

[goudinuf]

I'm sure it's ready to go, but it seems like the car makers don't want it.

I don't want it.

 

[zarmanto]

I'm sure it's ready to go, but it seems like the car makers don't want it.

I think this touches on the true nature of the issue; it's not Apple that we're waiting on. The two mentioned have at least stated that they do actually want it... but they have also made it clear that they don't necessarily feel beholden to the timetables that Apple advertised.

So realistically, Apple probably shouldn't have committed themselves to a timeline over which they have no control.

 

[prayingnantes]

We know they are still working on next gen CarPlay because of the two WWDC 2024 sessions about it: Meet the next generation of CarPlay architecture and Say hello to the next generation of CarPlay design system. I think because of the deep integration and complexity of the system it will take longer to roll out than it did the current CarPlay. That being said companies that do integrate it will be able to heavily market the feature. If Apple really wants to boost adoption they should make profit sharing deals with car manufacturers on in-car subscriptions.

 

[Sammy Chestnuts]

It will come out when they release AirPower.

 

[TigerNike23]

It’ll come out when the new M4 Extreme Mac Pro comes out with user upgradable graphics and RAM.

 

[tomtad]

This just seemed like an attempt to get something out of what they’d developed for the cancelled Apple Car.

The reality is handing over all your cars software to Apple doesn’t make sense for car makers. It’s not happening

 

[icanhazmac]

Sadly I think the almighty data collection and sale has soured manufacturer interest. GM is the poster child for this.

 

[jmonster]

I want tiny OLEDs that disappear in the dark unless they have something to say. Why is the industry obsessed with blinding us with light? We should be seeking the opposite of eye candy here. All this padding just so there are more pixels blasting light, providing nothing of value?..

 

[rgwebb]

I think this CarPlay 2 concept was dead on arrival.

BMW iDrive 8.5 (maybe even 8.0) and 9.0 has the CarPlay 1 map integrated into the gauge cluster display and displays CarPlay 1 app icons on their main menu. About the only thing I'd want, beyond those previously mentioned integrations in the manufacturer's OS, would be letting CarPlay takeover the HUD display.

 

[raindogg]

Best dashboard I've ever seen. Shame the car companies are too greedy and want you to pay for their horrible service and software.

 

[Rychiar]

I would rather that they miss a self defined deadline in order to get it right.

They’ve had enough time to get it right. Just release it. Can’t be worse than what car manufacturers put in and there will at least be updates

 

[CarAnalogy]

I think this touches on the true nature of the issue; it's not Apple that we're waiting on. The two mentioned have at least stated that they do actually want it... but they have also made it clear that they don't necessarily feel beholden to the timetables that Apple advertised.

So realistically, Apple probably shouldn't have committed themselves to a timeline over which they have no control.

Pretty much anything Apple relies on a third party to coordinate with is not going anywhere near the way Apple said it would. And it's so consistent across the board I have to think the problem is Apple.

If it's not something they can just pay for and receive like hardware manufacturing, but something that requires two way cooperation, Apple just can't seem to get along.

RCS profiles for MVNOs (and 5G before that), Drivers licenses in wallet, this, etc.

 

[coolfactor]

Would it really be powered by the iPhone rather than be installed directly onto the car system?

The auto industry is next up for anti-competitive challenges. If Apple was forced to open up their platform, then auto makers should be held to the same standard, ya?

Shouldn't someone with an iPhone or Android be able to "control" a car via a open platform standard? Isn't blocking that anti-competitive?

 

[EBone12355]

If Apple wanted Carplay 2 they should have kept developing their own car. Car manufacturers want subscription based profits for navigation and music streaming and other services, and they aren't going to skip those for Apple's sake.

Carplay 2 is not a case of "If you build it, they will come."

 

[Biro]

I can’t say that I care about the timing because the truth is I really don’t want my car’s instrument panel being taken over by what some Apple geek (who probably doesn’t even drive) thinks it should look like.

 

[seek3r]

That's not gonna happen. We don't work over Christmas unlike Hallmark Christmas movies imply

Christmas week is one of my most productive weeks of the year at work, it’s the week I get to catch up on everything I’ve been too busy to get to because it’s super quiet, it’s great! I’m not Christian FWIW, while my wife is that only really applies to me for joining her side of the family for Christmas eve/day, otherwise it’s just a normal albeit quiet week for me

 

[MrRom92]

bros out here sitting at the table for 3 hours telling the waiter “she must be finding parking”