Apple Removes '2024' Timeframe From Next-Generation CarPlay Page

[MacRumors]

Apple's website said the first vehicle models with support for next-generation CarPlay would "arrive in 2024," but that did not happen. A little more than three weeks into 2025, Apple has now updated its website in the U.S. to remove that 2024 timeframe from the next-generation CarPlay section of its overall CarPlay page.

The fact that Apple did not remove the entire next-generation CarPlay section from the page suggests that the software might still launch at some point in the future, but Apple is no longer providing a timeframe at this point.

It is unclear if Apple, car makers, or both are to blame for the missed 2024 target. We have reached out to Apple for comment.

Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and there are still signs that it might eventually launch at some point. First, additional references to next-generation CarPlay were added in the iOS 18.3 beta's code. Second, Apple filed some additional next-generation CarPlay images in a EU database last month.

Apple promised that next-generation CarPlay would have deep integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, a dedicated FM radio app, customizable widgets, and more. The interface would be tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's brand identity.

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.

If it ever launches, next-generation CarPlay is expected to be available in new vehicles only. It is not an update to the standard CarPlay software.

In December 2023, Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay instrument cluster designs, but neither brand has rolled out the system. Apple said other committed car makers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo. Given that list is more than two and a half years old, it is unclear if all of those car makers remain committed.

Update: Apple said several car makers still plan to support next-generation CarPlay.

The company's full statement:

The next generation of CarPlay builds on years of success and insights gained from CarPlay, delivering the best of Apple and the automaker in a deeply integrated and customizable experience. We continue to work closely with several automakers, enabling them to showcase their unique brand and visual design philosophies in the next generation of CarPlay. Each car brand will share more details as they near the announcements of their models that will support the next generation of CarPlay.

Apple did not provide an updated timeframe.

Article Link: Apple Removes '2024' Timeframe From Next-Generation CarPlay Page

 

[Stevies3]

Would update include current CarPlay vehicles or only for new vehicles due to hardware requirements?

 

[apple contributor]

Well, better late than never… right?

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's website said the first vehicle models with support for next-generation CarPlay would "arrive in 2024," but that did not happen. A little more than three weeks into 2025, Apple has now updated its website in the U.S. to remove that 2024 timeframe from the next-generation CarPlay section of its overall CarPlay page.

This is turning into another AirPower.

Maybe the delay is due to Apple wanting to infuse it with Apple Intelligence 😂

 

[apple contributor]

Would update include current CarPlay vehicles or only for new vehicles due to hardware requirements?

I’m afraid it’s only new(er) vehicles, because as you can see on the image in the article, it supports additional screens, and it needs the additional screens (of what I heard)

 

[jz0309]

We have reached out to Apple for comment.

Good luck
I am sure you will keep us updated!

 

[ShivneelSingh]

I was pretty excited about this, hoping it would work on my 2020 Mercedes. But, I think it’ll work only on cars with touchscreen, and my car is not. But I don’t favor touchscreens since they accumulate a lot of finger prints.

 

[zorinlynx]

Let's be honest, this crap isn't going to happen.

Automakers want as much control of the customer experience in their vehicles as possible. Most were willing to cede a bit to Apple and Google for CarPlay and Android Auto, but at least one has pulled back. Do you really think they're going to give Apple the entire dashboard?

Maybe one or two token vehicles.

It sucks because automakers are BAD at user interface design. But we're stuck with them. Enjoy CarPlay while you have it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Let's be honest, this crap isn't going to happen.

Automakers want as much control of the customer experience in their vehicles as possible. Most were willing to cede a bit to Apple and Google for CarPlay and Android Auto, but at least one has pulled back. Do you really think they're going to give Apple the entire dashboard?

Maybe one or two token vehicles.

It sucks because automakers are BAD at user interface design. But we're stuck with them. Enjoy CarPlay while you have it.

I don't like that it's Apple only. My vehicle is Carplay or Android Auto but this setup is Apple only.

Wife uses Android and would suck if she couldn't use her phone in my vehicle.

 

[Orizaba]

Would be surprised if the project sees the light of day. With Apples rumored car being cancelled, there is no real reason for them to continue investing in CarPlay as CarPlay was a good way for Apple to to explore car interface and design...

 

[gtmead09]

I would love the interface on that large full dashboard view. The possibilities.......

 

[bmark]

Next Gen Car Play is dead!

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Wonder what the business terms for this were like. There could be a hilariously simple explanation for why we haven't seen a car with this yet. Does Tim want 30% of the vehicle sell price or something outrageous? Someone start a car company and find out!

Would be nice to see them make some improvements to classic CarPlay, but I don't see them doing that.

 

[platinumaqua]

It sucks because automakers are BAD at user interface design. But we're stuck with them. Enjoy CarPlay while you have it.

I don’t disagree, but I think the mockups provided by Apple for CarPlay’s dashboard are currently worse than what the carmakers have came up with

 

[rgwebb]

I feel like automakers are realizing that all EVs are basically the same in terms of driving characteristics, so differentiation in the cabin is going to become even more important in purchasing decisions. Almost every vehicle in a class is going to be the same thing: heavy, fast in a straight line with tire melting instant torque. Maybe there will be slight differences here and there but the driving-based identities of automakers are going the way of the dodo. The differentiations are going to be due to exterior styling taste and the in-cabin experience.

That makes CarPlay 2's offer an odd one for automakers. It is essentially turning their vehicle into an even more commodified experience.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Well, better late than never… right?

Like Duke Nuke'm Forever?

 

[sw1tcher]

Let's be honest, this crap isn't going to happen.

Automakers want as much control of the customer experience in their vehicles as possible. Most were willing to cede a bit to Apple and Google for CarPlay and Android Auto, but at least one has pulled back. Do you really think they're going to give Apple the entire dashboard?

It's not just about the customer experience. Automakers want to offer their own software as a subscription service. They'll also be able to track the vehicle's usage and then make highly profitable dealer service recommendations through the infotainment screen (e.g. tire rotations, new brake pads/rotors, cabin and engine filter replacements, etc).

 

[harmonthe3rd]

Let's be honest, this crap isn't going to happen.

Automakers want as much control of the customer experience in their vehicles as possible. Most were willing to cede a bit to Apple and Google for CarPlay and Android Auto, but at least one has pulled back. Do you really think they're going to give Apple the entire dashboard?

Maybe one or two token vehicles.

It sucks because automakers are BAD at user interface design. But we're stuck with them. Enjoy CarPlay while you have it.

The moment the car companies started talking about subscriptions for in car dash features people started complaining. BMW did a complete 180. Seeing as though Apple CarPlay is becoming a make or break situation, according to a survey by McKinsey and Co., I don't think car companies will have a choice. With higher vehicle cost, interest rates and overall maintenance cost, consumers are becoming extremely picky on how and what they send the money on in relation to vehicles.

 

[now i see it]

cuz if apple takes over the dashboard... the car is theirs. Auto makers can see the writing on the wall

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Good luck
I am sure you will keep us updated!

Here you go, Apple's response to me:

The next generation of CarPlay builds on years of success and insights gained from CarPlay, delivering the best of Apple and the automaker in a deeply integrated and customizable experience. We continue to work closely with several automakers, enabling them to showcase their unique brand and visual design philosophies in the next generation of CarPlay. Each car brand will share more details as they near the announcements of their models that will support the next generation of CarPlay.

 

[smulji]

Well, better late than never… right?

Welcome to Tim Cook's Apple, a land of broken promises

 

[jz0309]

Here you go, Apple's response to me:

Thank You!

 

[DownUnderDan]

Why do I feel that behind the scenes there is a bunch of devs leaving meetings with their project manager with none of their questions answered or concerns listened to and quietly updating their resumes and putting out feelers for other jobs before this all crashes down. Bottom line is to expand Car Play on other manufacturers cars (not Apples cancelled car), you need pretty much unfettered access to the cars bus network and subsystems. That alone would be a nightmare of different and incompatible subsystems from each manufacturer and sub contractor that developed systems for that manufacturer. All with with several revisions over a car models life, times the platforms they sell over their complete range. That is before we get to the issue that car manufacturers encrypt these systems and would be very reluctant to hand Apple the details. I can bet it's all being done on a case by case basis with some manufacturers and the potentially multiple in-house and contract dev teams they use for their in-car systems. An absolute logistical nightmare, that never ends as manufacturers release new systems and revisions every few years and this code basically has to be able to run on ANY car or truck on the market to meet Apples management ambitions for the system.

This new generation Car Play is a great idea in concept, but unless you control the hardware (like Apple does), it would take the resources Apple doesn't have and be a massive sink hole of money every year. With the very best of intentions it will never work reliably on all models all the time, as the chances for something to break after a refresh or component change on the production line or during repairs at the workshop is enormous. Keep in mind how many years it has taken to just get Car Play on the entertainment head unit on most brands and even then, some manufacturers don't want it at all and are trying to delete it as an option from their car systems. The current Car Play doesn't have to access and talk to a fraction of the in-car systems this next gen Car Play needs to talk to. My bet is like the Apple Car this project is basically dead and at some point the specifications will be wound way, way, back to basically a refresh of the current Car Play and we will be told that's what we were getting all along. Maybe one or two manufacturers will get something fancier, but that's about it.

The real opportunity for this next generation Car Play was on Apples own hardware - their own car platform.

 

[gbc204]

Let's be honest, this crap isn't going to happen.

Automakers want as much control of the customer experience in their vehicles as possible. Most were willing to cede a bit to Apple and Google for CarPlay and Android Auto, but at least one has pulled back. Do you really think they're going to give Apple the entire dashboard?

Maybe one or two token vehicles.

It sucks because automakers are BAD at user interface design. But we're stuck with them. Enjoy CarPlay while you have it.

I dunno... I have a 2021 car that has CarPlay, and I just got in it today and noticed that after a software update, the car now has wireless carplay, which it definitely did not have before. So it seems like some automakers are still interested in supporting Carplay and future iterations.

 

[vantelimus]

Bottom line is to expand Car Play on other manufacturers cars (not Apples cancelled car), you need pretty much unfettered access to the cars bus network and subsystems.

The information contained in standard dash-board displays (e.g. Engine RPM, vehicle speed, fuel level, and diagnostic codes) can all be polled in real time from the OBD-II interface. It isn't suitable for things like dynamic vehicle control, but that's not what Car Play does. I don't see how Car Play would need access to more than what is available through ODB-II.