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BMW Confirms It Has No Plans to Offer CarPlay Ultra
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I have 0 issues with CP, maybe it's because I don't have the most expensive model)))
Which version of iDrive?
My car has iDrive 7 and it’s great, but iDrive 8/8.5 look like a mess from what I’ve seen
Yeah I'm not sure. I have a Ram with a 12" screen and there's times it won't even connect and I have to reboot the phone.
Apple is free to do whatever they wants with zero objection but the instant someone else tries to impedes what Apple wants to do “nah no bad it’s your fault let Apple do it blah blah cry foul waaahhhhh”.
Happens all too common.
Not Invented Here Syndrome.
BMW has confirmed it will not support Apple's next-generation CarPlay Ultra platform in any of its upcoming vehicles.
This is the first unequivocal public rejection of CarPlay Ultra by BMW since the system's announcement. The automaker had previously issued a neutral position in 2022 following Apple's unveiling, stating:
Now, a BMW AG spokesperson has told BMW Blog that "BMW currently has no plans to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra."
BMW's new iDrive X platform is set to launch later this year on the BMW iX3, serving as the digital foundation for all Neue Klasse models going forward. iDrive X features what BMW calls the "Panoramic Display," which projects contextual information across the lower edge of the windshield. BMW will continue to support standard CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, but only on the main infotainment screen.
Apple first previewed CarPlay Ultra at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2022, showcasing a significantly more immersive and integrated in-car interface. Unlike the standard version of CarPlay, which is largely confined to the central infotainment display, CarPlay Ultra fully expands across all of a vehicle's displays. It also allows drivers to access and control core vehicle functions such as climate control and cameras through Apple's single system.
BMW's decision follows similar announcements from other major manufacturers who have opted against adopting CarPlay Ultra, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault. All four companies were previously seen as potential adopters but have since withdrawn support. Porsche, Ford, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Honda, Acura, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, and Nissan are all still expected to offer CarPlay Ultra in the future.
The timeline for adoption of CarPlay Ultra remains unclear, with only Aston Martin having shipped vehicles with the system to date. The pace of rollout from other confirmed partners is currently unknown.
CarPlay Ultra effectively displaces the automaker's native user interface with Apple's design language and system logic. As a result, manufacturers that prioritize brand differentiation, software control, and even a simpler development burden, especially in the premium segment, have expressed reluctance to adopt CarPlay Ultra.
Article Link: BMW Confirms It Has No Plans to Offer CarPlay Ultra
Looks like Apple have a hard sell on their hands and made something no carmaker wants. Ouch.
BMW does not want to allow access to the CAN bus systems on the vehicles. Thats how Apple Carplay would be able to interact with the vehicle native systems.
This is another chapter of the Right to Repair book. If BMW published the real messaging detail, similar to a programming API, then anyone could use it.
TL;DR: BMW will ultimately loose a fraction of a revenue stream, so nope.
This is another chapter of the Right to Repair book. If BMW published the real messaging detail, similar to a programming API, then anyone could use it.
TL;DR: BMW will ultimately loose a fraction of a revenue stream, so nope.
I want to get a Tesla Y, but the one thing holding me from getting it is the lack of CarPlay support.
What I like about it is that it’s a compact SUV that can tow up to 3500 lbs.
It looks like your BMW needs a software update or their hardware is not good. Also, overheating would cause freezing, rebooting and other issues. If you understand this fact, you will realize that the problem is not CarPlay itself.
It’s not surprising. Why would any manufacturer give that much access? Regular CarPlay is perfectly fine.
How old is your BMW? Because the idrive in current line up is exceptional. And if your BMW is old enough that you have the trash version of idrive, Apple wouldn't support Caplay for your car year anyway.
It seems like Apple’s contraption is failing. I can understand the car manufacturers. Even though Apple makes the best user interfaces, it’s still a vendor lock-in. Android users probably won’t appreciate it, and Apple could crash too, just like Nokia did. For car manufacturers, it’s surely a better option to keep CarPlay as an optional feature, just like it has been until now.
I also own a BMW, an i4, and CarPlay has been flawless - both wired and wireless. Honestly in any of my past cars I've never experienced the issues people claim to happen with CarPlay. Now, the wireless charger in the i4 just wants to cook my phone, CarPlay or not, so yeah, that's a piece of junk in a pretty decent car.
Everything is built to a price and a component budget. The charger had to suffer to help finance some Bavarian Zoot elsewhere. (Or maybe the extensive lunchroom menu, it was pretty nice** last time I was there, in the BMW HQ).
**But Volvo’s cafeteria was much nicer.
So get one. You won’t miss CarPlay in the slightest. Everything is simply better than CarPlay on their infotainment system.
Unfortunately, the BMW does require a phone to access some features that require wireless data. It's a little weird. They do have a 5G eSIM that can be enabled to do this at the cost of another phone plan line.
I didn't trust it at first either, but turns out it's freakin' amazing. It will even park itself in my tight garage without driving through the house or hitting the fridge.
I'm actually blown away by this feature...
Even when they offered that option, there was still an option to purchase heated seats as a one-time cost just like there always had been. The monthly option could have been cheaper for some people who only use heated seats 1-2 months a year and keep cars for a short time. But the Outrage Machine seized on "BMW charging monthly fee for heated seats" while overlooking or failing to mention the one-time option. BMW then eliminated the monthly option and went back to the only option being the one-time cost (that had never stopped existing). The monthly fee wouldn't have been cheaper for me, so I would have purchased the one-time option had I bought a BMW during that time (I bought a BMW before that time and then another after), but I generally like having options instead of being told "this is the way it is."
Similarly, I don't see much value for me in CarPlay Ultra because I like iDrive and the regular CarPlay works and integrates so well with iDrive that I just am not desiring more integration, but maybe having the option would be nice.
Would I specifically NOT purchase a car because it doesn't have regular CarPlay? Absolutely. Would I specifically NOT purchase a car because it doesn't have CarPlay Ultra? No.
I use to love bmw I drive and it was regarded as the best in the business.. but since apple car play launched it’s the best out there and I think it’s leveled the playing fields for lots of automakers and most of them outside of BMW at the time had awful interfaces.
A car without Apple car play for me would be a deal breaker!
A car without Apple car play for me would be a deal breaker!
Honestly having Apple Wallet keys is more important to me than having CarPlay Ultra.
That being said, this is a surprising thing coming from BMW. BMW usually is always first on the Apple support train, from back when iPod in the car was a thing. They were also the first to offer Car Key support. This tells me that there must be something about CarPlay ultra they didn’t like.
That being said, this is a surprising thing coming from BMW. BMW usually is always first on the Apple support train, from back when iPod in the car was a thing. They were also the first to offer Car Key support. This tells me that there must be something about CarPlay ultra they didn’t like.