Apple Music Integration Coming to 'Nearly All' 2022 Audi Models

[MacRumors]

Audi today announced that Apple Music will be available directly in the infotainment systems of a large number of its vehicles via a software update.

Apple Music integration will give Audi owners the ability to access their personal Apple Music library directly in their vehicle's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) screen, leveraging the in-car data connection, with no need for Bluetooth, a wired connection, or Apple CarPlay.

To activate Apple Music, users have to open the Apple Music app on the Audi infotainment system, follow the on-screen instructions to log in with their Apple ID, and enter a verification code sent to their phone. Christiane Zorn, Head of Product Marketing at Audi, said:

Integrating Apple Music into the Audio infotainment system marks the next step in the collaboration between Audi and Apple. For our customers, it means that we are offering them direct access to their own personalized listening experience. This is our understanding of a premium digital in-car experience. At Audi we are systematically driving the digitalization of the vehicle and we are convinced that the interior is increasingly developing into a third living space.

Available in Europe, North America, and Japan, Apple Music integration will be rolled out to "nearly all" existing 2022 model year Audi vehicles via an automatic over-the-air update, and will come in many new Audis as standard. Cellular data streaming costs are billed via a data package available from Cubic-Telekom in Europe and the first three gigabytes are free of charge.

Audi is not the first automaker to integrate Apple Music directly into its infotainment system, with Porsche first announcing the feature in 2019 before expanding to other services like Apple Podcasts. Similarly, Mercedes began to roll out Apple Music integration from summer last year.

Article Link: Apple Music Integration Coming to 'Nearly All' 2022 Audi Models

 

[born4sky]

Why? If you have a CarPlay? Integrate CarPlay so you can use it on dashboard and heads-up display instead.

 

[AppleTO]

Apple Music integration will give Audi owners the ability to access their personal Apple Music library directly in their vehicle's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) screen, leveraging the in-car data connection, with no need for Bluetooth, a wired connection, or Apple CarPlay.

Are their limits to this data connection? I’m assuming it’s a monthly subscription? It is possible to hotspot your phone instead?

 

[The Mercurian]

I mean make it work properly on my phone before you make it work in my car please Apple

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

No excuses for Tesla now.

 

[Carlson-online]

Why? If you have a CarPlay? Integrate CarPlay so you can use it on dashboard and heads-up display instead.

Read the first sentence - It will work without your phone needing to be in the car! Not everything is attached to theirs 24/7.


Apple Music integration will give Audi owners the ability to access their personal Apple Music library directly in their vehicle's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) screen, leveraging the in-car data connection, with no need for Bluetooth, a wired connection, or Apple CarPlay.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Yay! I just bought an Audi. This is a great addition. However CarPlay itself works very well.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Read the first sentence - It will work without your phone needing to be in the car! Not everything is attached to theirs 24/7.

Really? I beg to differ. I would guess that anyone who gets into their car to drive has their phone with them, if not for anything else but to use to make a call in case of emergency. I would guess the times people aren't attached to their phones are nowhere near a car.

This just seems redundant and a feature that few will use.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Yay! I just bought an Audi. This is a great addition. However CarPlay itself works very well.

My favourite Audi is the Q3 Sportback!

 

[CapitalIdea]

Read the first sentence - It will work without your phone needing to be in the car! Not everything is attached to theirs 24/7.


Apple Music integration will give Audi owners the ability to access their personal Apple Music library directly in their vehicle's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) screen, leveraging the in-car data connection, with no need for Bluetooth, a wired connection, or Apple CarPlay.

To be fair, how often do average people leave their home and go on a drive, really, anywhere without their phone?

 

[dsio]

This really seems like a lot of effort to go to just to not have CarPlay. Automakers really aren’t good at UIs or interfaces for these things, that’s why CarPlay and Android Auto are so popular, I wish they would just stick to making the car go and the interior feel nice.

 

[entropys]

Nup. Want the full carplay.
Why settle fir just Apple Music and not use their smartphone’s sat nav etc etc etc in preference to whatever lame arse UI and apps the carmakers have inflicted on their long suffering consumers?

 

[wanha]

It's almost criminal that this article doesn't mention that Apple CarPlay comes with EVERY 2022 Audi model.

Folks, this is not about replacing CarPlay, but giving the option to those users who prefer to use Audi's own UX to still access their music.

Also this way, even if you are not in the car, people in the car get to enjoy tunes from Apple Music.

Translation: this is a good thing. No one is taking anything away from anyone. Relax.

 

[wanha]

This really seems like a lot of effort to go to just to not have CarPlay. Automakers really aren’t good at UIs or interfaces for these things, that’s why CarPlay and Android Auto are so popular, I wish they would just stick to making the car go and the interior feel nice.

CarPlay is included in every 2022 Audi model

 

[iSepp]

Asking myself why BMW sticks to Spotify instead. They working closely together with Apple in all other areas but not on Apple Music Integration

 

[longtimelurker]

My 2019 Q7 is the best vehicle I've ever owned & that includes Porsche & BMWs. CarPlay works well, but wonder if this new tech can be added with an Audi update.

 

[aaaaplay]

Really? I beg to differ. I would guess that anyone who gets into their car to drive has their phone with them, if not for anything else but to use to make a call in case of emergency. I would guess the times people aren't attached to their phones are nowhere near a car.

This just seems redundant and a feature that few will use.

As someone who had until recently a very good reliable wireless CarPlay connection, yes this would be useful.

It might just be an ADHD tendency, but since wireless CarPlay I don’t want to plug my phone in, period.

Recently it has been failing to connect and I think a built in Apple Music or Spotify service would be really handy. At the moment it takes me at least five minutes to get it working again!

 

[iMerik]

CarPlay is included in every 2022 Audi model

Right... keep using CarPlay if that's what you use. For people who don't subscribe to a music service, Apple hopes this might attract more people to Apple Music, even those without iPhones, and Audi hopes to get some of the cut. This seems pretty straight forward and simply not a reason to complain if you prefer to use CarPlay. And maybe you'll find that you enjoy having the option for either interface depending on your situation in the moment.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I wonder if 2021 models will get it too.

 

[IAhawk10]

I wonder if 2021 models will get it too.

My 2021 Q5e has the same MMI software as the 2022 model. My dealer keeps telling me a big update is coming in the fall. I’m hoping someone finds a way to get this to my 2021 too.

 

[KULIK121]

It is important to remember that due to chip shortages, a lot of "premium" features are being removed from vehicles right now. Lane assist, wireless chargers, wireless CarPlay, and now CarPlay in general is being removed from vehicles so that they can be manufactured and sold. While I am all for just using CarPlay when I get in my vehicle, there are rare instances when I forget my phone at home but still have my watch and just choose not to go back and get it. There are also people that have subscribed to Apple Music from android and their phone does not offer Android Auto. Either way I applaud Audi for constantly innovating (if you can call it that).

 

[txscott]

Only one person has asked, how does the Audi connect to the internet to stream the music and how much is the monthly subscription for that connection? The Audi interface might be nice, it's the additional data plan I would not like.

I am, I think like many today, so unlikely to be without my phone that leaving it behind causes anxiety. Funny how quickly that happened. Now being anxious about being anxious about leaving my phone behind is a thing.

 

[psac]

Agreed with the earlier poster, this is okay, but better integration with the existing wireless CarPlay features would be a lot better. Let me get my Google Maps up on my dashboard instead of just the MMI NAV. And make it easier to switch back and forth between the radio and the Apple Music through my phone, where I have my playlists and everything setup, as opposed to a new apple music connection which wouldn't have that.

 

[cocky jeremy]

My 2021 Q5e has the same MMI software as the 2022 model. My dealer keeps telling me a big update is coming in the fall. I’m hoping someone finds a way to get this to my 2021 too.

I hope so. I bought/ordered a 2021 Q3 as soon as they were released.

 

[parfy]

This is redundant. For this to work you will need a data subscription for your car, that i guarantee will be extortionate for what you are getting. Makes next to no sense to pay that and not just use your phone.
Connecting your phone you'll be able to use it for music in Car Play or your native car interface - so other than the benefit of playing music without your phone on you this is of no other use. If i recall correctly a data plan on my 2021 manufacture Merc is like £100 for 100gb which is crazy.