Developer Showcases Apple CarPlay Workaround for Teslas

[person s]

Exactly. And why aren't Tesla owners shouting on the rooftops about this? I will never buy a car without CarPlay. Nope, not going back.

it’s the most-requested addition to the Tesla ecosystem
I’m moving to a model 3 within a couple of months, so was interested in how it could work - especially music
I have a large music collection, and a lot of it on my phone so not looking for Spotify etc
on my test drive, playing music via Bluetooth wasn’t an issue and it sounded great - my current car has Carplay via a wired connection, so connecting was better than that, along with wireless charging
the Tesla interface includes things that are built-in which Carplay would be duplicating to some extent
I’ll see how it goes over coming months

 

[12dylan34]

Carplay and Android Auto are crutches for auto manufacturers who don't have any design or UX people on their payroll, and a way for your car to get internet access for things like maps, etc.

There's no reason to add this layer of duplicated functionality on top of Tesla's normal UI. Apple and Google providing APIs for auto infotainment systems to better interface with devices for things like calling, messaging, etc. is a cleaner solution.

 

[Tagbert]

Carplay and Android Auto are crutches for auto manufacturers who don't have any design or UX people on their payroll, and a way for your car to get internet access for things like maps, etc.

There's no reason to add this layer of duplicated functionality on top of Tesla's normal UI. Apple and Google providing APIs for auto infotainment systems to better interface with devices for things like calling, messaging, etc. is a cleaner solution.

CarPlay adds additional functionality and a a consistent integration with the owner's phone. Yes, some functions are duplicate and that's fine, no downside. Other functions are not shared. I use it constantly for my podcasts and for Apple Music. I also use Siri for sending and receiving messages. None of those things are in Tesla's UI. There are other CarPlay apps that I'm sure other people use frequently. I would not want to use some Tesla reimplementation using an API. I know that much of this is not even available in that fashion. I want to use the apps that are configured for my needs. Having CarPlay gives me a consistent platform that I can have with me wherever I go.

 

[PrecisionGem]

You think its apple stopping tesla from providing carplay?

I think it's the other way around. Tesla won't allow CarPlay.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Lack of CarPlay is the one* thing keeping me from buying a Tesla.

* - Not having space in the budget for a $60,000 car also a heavy factor if we’re being honest.

Everything on the center mounted touchscreen for me is an issue. Even the windshield wipers are on the touch screen. How often do you just need one wipe, and it's normally a quick pull of the wiper stick on the steering column. Seems searching through a touch screen to do this is a real pain. Or even adjusting the side view mirrors, this again is on the touch screen. All things that every other car you can do with out taking your eyes off the road.

 

[diamond.g]

Everything on the center mounted touchscreen for me is an issue. Even the windshield wipers are on the touch screen. How often do you just need one wipe, and it's normally a quick pull of the wiper stick on the steering column. Seems searching through a touch screen to do this is a real pain. Or even adjusting the side view mirrors, this again is on the touch screen. All things that every other car you can do with out taking your eyes off the road.

All Teslas have a “physical“ button to trigger a single wipe or windshield wash. When the button is pressed the speed controls come up so you don’t have to search.

 

[iliya]

As someone who’s been driving Tesla cars for 4 years now and all electronics is Apple (almost 20 years now) I can confidently say - Tesla has better engineers, better UX, better everything. Apple seems like a potato plantation in terms of technology when you compare it to a Tesla. So, if you were Elon Musk would you be wasting resources integrating with mediocre systems controlled by by someone else? No of course! The only thing Tesla can do to make Apple users fully happy is add Apple Music integration. The maps are already great, texting and phone is already great. Calendar integration with my iPhone works great. Phone key works great.

As for Apple making a car - haha! Knowing how dumb Siri is I would rather not step foot in an Apple car. Compare Apple’s AI capabilities with those of Tesla and you will see they are completely different levels. And on this one - Apple loses. They make great phones and computers though ?

 

[Shasterball]

It seems like more folk have tweeted about wanting waypoints and blind spot camera during turn signal than have tweeted about CarPlay. ??‍♂️

Be that as it may. I would rather they get NoA working with their own mapping solution than to try to integrate incomplete third party solutions. Because I am 100% sure that will be the complaint when/if they add CarPlay or Android Auto.

Totally agree they need to get NoA working with their own mapping solution. But I don't see how that is incompatible with allowing CarPlay on the screen? I don't think people are asking they they modify anything -- they just want the ability to use Apple Maps or Google Maps, etc...

 

[diamond.g]

Totally agree they need to get NoA working with their own mapping solution. But I don't see how that is incompatible with allowing CarPlay on the screen? I don't think people are asking they they modify anything -- they just want the ability to use Apple Maps or Google Maps, etc...

Right, I am saying that is where it will start, folks will then ask why can't navigate on autopilot use Apple Maps or google maps via CarPlay or Android Auto.

I know this because that is how we went from Dashcam to Sentry to Sentry Live view, or the single backup cam to the backup cam and repeaters to repeaters on turn signal.

 

[imola.zhp]

Hard pass. Just give us a native Apple Music streaming app in the car.

 

[Shasterball]

Right, I am saying that is where it will start, folks will then ask why can't navigate on autopilot use Apple Maps or google maps via CarPlay or Android Auto.

I know this because that is how we went from Dashcam to Sentry to Sentry Live view, or the single backup cam to the backup cam and repeaters to repeaters on turn signal.

Well then people are greedy and don't know how things work lol.

 

[diamond3]

Everything on the center mounted touchscreen for me is an issue. Even the windshield wipers are on the touch screen. How often do you just need one wipe, and it's normally a quick pull of the wiper stick on the steering column. Seems searching through a touch screen to do this is a real pain. Or even adjusting the side view mirrors, this again is on the touch screen. All things that every other car you can do with out taking your eyes off the road.

It's really not. For 99% of the time, it's a non-issue because there are ways to automate it. For example, driver presets that memorize the seat position and mirrors. You can have multiple presets too. When you back up, like most new cars the mirrors already drop down. So I can maybe count on my hand in the 3 years how many times I've had to manually adjust the mirrors. As mentioned, I don't have an issue with the windshield wipers as there's a physical button to push. About the only thing I can think of is the glove box which is a two-button command. I'd take the usability of a extra large screen with flexible controls over a small 4.5" screen with an onslaught of manual controls plastered. I feel like we're going back to the iPhone argument all over again and people's fear of losing physical buttons everywhere.

 

[iliya]

It's really not. For 99% of the time, it's a non-issue because there are ways to automate it. For example, driver presets that memorize the seat position and mirrors. You can have multiple presets too. When you back up, like most new cars the mirrors already drop down. So I can maybe count on my hand in the 3 years how many times I've had to manually adjust the mirrors. As mentioned, I don't have an issue with the windshield wipers as there's a physical button to push. About the only thing I can think of is the glove box which is a two-button command. I'd take the usability of a extra large screen with flexible controls over a small 4.5" screen with an onslaught of manual controls plastered. I feel like we're going back to the iPhone argument all over again and people's fear of losing physical buttons everywhere.

You can use voice commands for most of the mundane things, such as opening the glovebox, AC etc ?

 

[cmaier]

Carplay and Android Auto are crutches for auto manufacturers who don't have any design or UX people on their payroll, and a way for your car to get internet access for things like maps, etc.

There's no reason to add this layer of duplicated functionality on top of Tesla's normal UI. Apple and Google providing APIs for auto infotainment systems to better interface with devices for things like calling, messaging, etc. is a cleaner solution.

There’s a huge reason. My Tesla won’t let me easily change stations on my sirius app without manipulating the phone. It doesn’t have an MLB app so I can listen to Mets games. etc. Etc.

 

[diamond.g]

There’s a huge reason. My Tesla won’t let me easily change stations on my sirius app without manipulating the phone. It doesn’t have an MLB app so I can listen to Mets games. etc. Etc.

To be fair if they did add CarPlay/Android Auto it is possible they will skip doing it for older cars.

 

[GDF]

Exactly. And why aren't Tesla owners shouting on the rooftops about this? I will never buy a car without CarPlay. Nope, not going back.

I do. I tweet Elon often on adding CarPlay or at least Apple Music, but to no avail. Seems like most Tesla owners could care less and like Tesla’s interface better.

I am not one of them, as a new owner think that Tesla‘s media interface is horrible compared to my BMW interface that has wireless CarPlay. I would even pay for CarPlay as an option on Tesla and then would also have Waze, etc….

Just mindless that you hear Tesla is a tech company, but I don’t see it. It is a great EV car, but most of Tesla’s focus seems to be on is FSD, which right now is not even close.

 

[diamond.g]

I do. I tweet Elon often on adding CarPlay or at least Apple Music, but to no avail. Seems like most Tesla owners could care less and like Tesla’s interface better.

I am not one of them, as a new owner think that Tesla‘s media interface is horrible compared to my BMW interface that has wireless CarPlay. I would even pay for CarPlay as an option on Tesla and then would also have Waze, etc….

Just mindless that you hear Tesla is a tech company, but I don’t see it. It is a great EV car, but most of Tesla’s focus seems to be on is FSD, which right now is not even close.

Well you can always trade your Tesla for a i4 or iX...

 

[cmaier]

To be fair if they did add CarPlay/Android Auto it is possible they will skip doing it for older cars.

I am sure they would. The point is the same. CarPlay would let drivers do things that the Built-in system cannot.

 

[diamond.g]

I am sure they would. The point is the same. CarPlay would let drivers do things that the Built-in system cannot.

True, though I admit in this respect I am selfish. I would rather them fix their own interface than spend time getting someone else's to work.


As an aside if Apple does come out with a car I cannot wait for the mental gymnastics when they don't support Android Auto

 

[cmaier]

True, though I admit in this respect I am selfish. I would rather them fix their own interface than spend time getting someone else's to work.


As an aside if Apple does come out with a car I cannot wait for the mental gymnastics when they don't support Android Auto

My phone has everything on it. No matter how many apps they allow on Tesla, it won’t match it. And it won’t be integrated fully - homekit support, etc.

 

[diamond.g]

My phone has everything on it. No matter how many apps they allow on Tesla, it won’t match it. And it won’t be integrated fully - homekit support, etc.

I know. This person is going to provide a product and if there is enough traction Tesla may add the feature to newer cars (like they did the charging mat).

 

[GDF]

Well you can always trade your Tesla for a i4 or iX...

Wish I could, but range is not good enough on i4, at least for me and am a sedan guy.

 

[killawat]

I do. I tweet Elon often on adding CarPlay or at least Apple Music, but to no avail. Seems like most Tesla owners could care less and like Tesla’s interface better.

I actually had a couple of comments asking me if I tried the Tesla interface before and no I hadn't (beyond dinking around at those little Tesla stores at the Mall). The built in interface is nice.

But when I look at Youtube and see an incredible hacker community dedicated to bringing homegrown CarPlay solutions I can't help but think some of these owners aren't being fair to the others that do want CarPlay in their Teslas.

For me its simple, so many other manufacturers offer CarPlay. I guess it's odd being told "No, you don't need CarPlay. The Built in System works well enough." Its great that the built in system is great, one of the best in the industry imo (again in my limited use)...
...but I like CarPlay. CarPlay works really well for certain tasks. I like queuing up my route before leaving the house.

 

[zacster]

Since they mention it being controlled by the steering wheel, it is likely this needs to be physically plugged in between the wheel and the cars computer (like other second screen solutions for Model 3/Y).

Absolutely wrong. The steering wheel and computer are already integrated. There is no additional hardware connected to the car. The Raspberry Pi acts as a local server over the wifi. What I don't understand is where the LTE comes into play. And if it is LTE do I need it added to my data plan?

 

[diamond.g]

Absolutely wrong. The steering wheel and computer are already integrated. There is no additional hardware connected to the car. The Raspberry Pi acts as a local server over the wifi. What I don't understand is where the LTE comes into play. And if it is LTE do I need it added to my data plan?

The steering wheel and raspberry pi are already integrated?