Ford CEO Provides Update on CarPlay Ultra

[subjonas]

I don't see the point of Carplay Ultra. Are people asking for this? For me Carplay is enough music, podcasts, maps and phone is really all I need. The car can control the rest.

I think I would agree with you if my car had dedicated physical controls/displays for certain functions like climate and EV charging (dedicated/physical would be most ideal). But because everything is done through the infotainment screen, I find it cumbersome switching between CarPlay and OEM software, so I would like to stay in CarPlay and do everything through it, especially because the OEM software is bad.

But one of the reasons it's cumbersome switching is that it takes a few button taps to navigate back to CarPlay depending where I am in the OEM software. This is also dangerous when driving and just bad design from the OEM. So if there was just a dedicated button (preferably physical) to immediately enter CarPlay, and if the OEM software was improved, then that might be enough for me.

Also one thing about wireless CarPlay that drives me crazy is the input lag. If Ultra somehow solved that then I would get on board just for that.

 

[tomtad]

How does CP-ultra connect to the car? Having the phone control critical car UI seems like a poor solution. I share my car with my wife. If I drive, it will use my Phone. If I decide to let her drive and I'm the passenger, what happens? Will my phone auto-connect and show my personal UI? And then if she drops me off and keeps the car does the UI change to her settings? Just seems awkward.

It doesn't connect, it's installed in the car

 

[wonderings]

I want ford to allow video playback while parked. Also pinch to zoom on Apple Maps.

do any cars with CarPlay have pinch to zoom? That was very frustrating and I was never quite sure why that did not work.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Yeah I don't want my car to be so deeply integrated with my phone, nor do I want my phone so deeply integrated with my car.

 

[jicon]

This is the same CEO who announced to his employees that AI would be doing their jobs soon. Great motivational speech. If he remains running Ford in a few years time, I'd be shocked.

 

[twistedpixel8]

Farley implied that Ford is currently passing on CarPlay Ultra because it would result in Apple having "control of the entire experience inside a vehicle."

Yeah, that’s why we want it…

 

[gregmancuso]

This is a valid point. On the other hand, I shudder to think what the experience would be like if Apple had total vehicle control - programmed by an Apple geek who may not even drive. The screen shots I’ve seen so far don’t make me feel any better.

As opposed to the manufacturers that have already ceded their dashboards to Google Auto - looking at you Chevy? Not Android Auto the CarPlay analog but the actual "Google runs the car" system.

That dash is a menace and you have no choice but to use it. Google is displaying all vehicle information, processing all user inputs, and who knows what else (capturing telematics?). Google Auto can still allow (regular) CarPlay if the manufacturer wants (or not - again, looking at you Chevrolet), just like Apple running the car does not preclude Android Auto for any Samsung / Pixel /et al users.

 

[Biro]

As opposed to the manufacturers that have already ceded their dashboards to Google Auto - looking at you Chevy? Not Android Auto the CarPlay analog but the actual "Google runs the car" system.

That dash is a menace and you have no choice but to use it. Google is displaying all vehicle information, processing all user inputs, and who knows what else (capturing telematics?). Google Auto can still allow (regular) CarPlay if the manufacturer wants (or not - again, looking at you Chevrolet), just like Apple running the car does not preclude Android Auto for any Samsung / Pixel /et al users.

Well, a have a Mazda CX-5 that’s only about a year old. And I have the TCU turned off so there’s no telematics info being phoned back to the mother ship. And I use Apple CarPlay through my phone for my infotainment needs. I ruled out most major automakers a while ago due to their privacy policies.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

do any cars with CarPlay have pinch to zoom? That was very frustrating and I was never quite sure why that did not work.

It’s crazy that Apple only just added multitouch support in CarPlay with iOS 26. The problem is it looks like cars don’t actually support it in CarPlay even though they support it in their native apps or AndroidAuto.

 

[tennisproha]

If Tesla can do it and have the basic apps for music, audiobooks and other things then really any of the other manufactures should be able to do it as well

The thing is they can't do it, otherwise they would've. Legacy automakers have had decades to improve their software and they've proven that they can't do it.

 

[verdi1987]

Edit: or does it mean if self driving in 3-4yrs? A bit of a confusing statement

Yes

 

[Colpeas]

If you’re not Tesla or Rivian, you have no business not adopting CarPlay Ultra. It’s decades ahead of the latest infotainment systems from brands like BMW and Volvo.

I think Farley’s comments are encouraging. Apple really needs to work with manufacturers to find the right balance in integration while standing firm on privacy.

Bmw’s infotainment is actually quite good… definitely in the top 3.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Bmw’s infotainment is actually quite good… definitely in the top 3.

Agree. I like how BMW treats CarPlay as “just another source.” I like switching between the different screens I have customized at different times and TBH, being in CarPlay gets in the way, so I rarely actually have CarpPlay on the screen on my BMW. Even when I’m playing music from the phone, I’ve relegated the media info to a widget on 1/4 of the screen in the native UI.

 

[tennisproha]

Agree. I like how BMW treats CarPlay as “just another source.” I like switching between the different screens I have customized at different times and TBH, being in CarPlay gets in the way, so I rarely actually have CarpPlay on the screen on my BMW. Even when I’m playing music from the phone, I’ve relegated the media info to a widget on 1/4 of the screen in the native UI.

CarPlay gets in the way because of BMW's infotainment system. Just another example of how terribly designed BMW's system is that it makes you jump in and out. With CarPlay Ultra everything is integrated and Apple's even got a solution to this very problem.

 

[farmboy]

I often drive without my iPhone..sacrilegious, I know, but it's a convenience, not a requirement.

 

[p.willis]

Carplay was always a nice option to have... and a few years ago was a lot better than many default car interfaces.

But most these days are good. Or better than good.
The makers have taken a lot of Apple and Google concepts and used them natively.

I can't see myself ever choosing to use CarPlay instead now.

 

[Mr_Ed]

CarPlay gets in the way because of BMW's infotainment system. Just another example of how terribly designed BMW's system is that it makes you jump in and out. With CarPlay Ultra everything is integrated and Apple's even got a solution to this very problem.

Oh boy. Use the fact that CarPlay currently knows nothing about vehicle systems (the reason most people currently switch between them) to suggest the OEM system is “terribly designed”, and therefore the OEM should engage Apple and commit resources to replicate everything the OEM UI already provides.

If anything, CP is not well designed because it is not unobtrusive enough. The only time I have to “switch” is when CP decides to take over the screen and I have to put it back to what I actually need. As a driver, I call that a “distraction.” A completely unnecessary one since I should be able to interact with the phone via voice. We’ll leave the fact that Siri only seems to get it right 60% of the time for another thread.

The reason I said CarPlay is “in the way” is because there is seldom anything visual I need from CarPlay while I’m driving. As I’ve said before, I’m driving a vehicle, not a phone with wheels.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Carplay was always a nice option to have... and a few years ago was a lot better than many default car interfaces.

But most these days are good. Or better than good.
The makers have taken a lot of Apple and Google concepts and used them natively.

I can't see myself ever choosing to use CarPlay instead now.

I also prefer the native UI. I see no compelling argument for Ultra, but I think plain CarPlay will be most valuable as the vehicle ages. Even if the manufacturer drops support for certain services, or cell technology evolves and sunsets whatever is in the vehicle, you can have internet connected services in the car. I’d hate to think people will start thinking that discarding cars the same way we do phones is the way to go, so I expect a car to last a long time.

 

[jole]

it would result in Apple having "control of the entire experience inside a vehicle."

Jim is perfectly capturing the reason to buy the vehicle.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Three or four years?! I’d want to know instantly

Edit: or does it mean if self driving in 3-4yrs? A bit of a confusing statement

Self driving is increasing in complexity, at an exponential rate to that of population. It'll never be an eventuality without redefining the roadways and drastically narrowing the types of vehicles on the roadways designed for a well managed autonomous only system.

It's a waste of resources and investment.

 

[tennisproha]

Oh boy. Use the fact that CarPlay currently knows nothing about vehicle systems (the reason most people currently switch between them) to suggest the OEM system is “terribly designed”, and therefore the OEM should engage Apple and commit resources to replicate everything the OEM UI already provides.

If anything, CP is not well designed because it is not unobtrusive enough. The only time I have to “switch” is when CP decides to take over the screen and I have to put it back to what I actually need. As a driver, I call that a “distraction.” A completely unnecessary one since I should be able to interact with the phone via voice. We’ll leave the fact that Siri only seems to get it right 60% of the time for another thread.

The reason I said CarPlay is “in the way” is because there is seldom anything visual I need from CarPlay while I’m driving. As I’ve said before, I’m driving a vehicle, not a phone with wheels.

You seem to be misunderstanding how CarPlay is implemented currently. CarPlay seems obtrusive to you because of how BMW is incorporating it into their infotainment system. That's a BMW issue, not an Apple issue.

What I pointed out, which you misconstrued, is that Apple has actually designed and addressed this exact scenario in CarPlay Ultra. But since BMW doesn't want to implement it, let's see how long it takes BMW to address your concern with their in-house infotainment system.

 

[Hildy]

I just bought a Ford.., too hard to keep up with who supports Apple on which level when Apple announces their systems years before cars adopt them. I would never buy a car without CarPlay, however I refuse to time purchases out waiting for newer versions.