Here's Everything We Know About Apple's Next-Generation CarPlay

[mrgraff]

What about folks not buying a new car anytime soon? What can Apple do to enhance CarPlay for existing users/cars?

You mean like the old detachable car stereo faceplates? Some kind of retro-fitted CarPlay console installation would be cool.

 

[bppierce2]

Apple's render of next-generation CarPlay from WWDC 2022…this looks striking similar to the newly released 2024 Lincoln Nautilus’s displays.

 

[CinnamonRage]

Will any of these new looks come to normal CarPlay as well? Weather widgets etc. really no reason not to, but I just have doubts (sadly).

 

[icwhatudidthere]

In short, yes. Cars already have microprocessors running operating systems and apps. They are already rolling computers, just mostly pretty crappy ones. So this is not a new thing, just a better version of the old thing. Both Apple and Google are supplying OSs to carmakers, which of course requires compatible hardware. This is not even slightly a big deal; Apple would love to sell A-series and M-series processors to carmakers. Why you can't see you see this happening when this is the only way anything we're being shown can happen?

Why do you assume it's the only way 2.0 could be done? The current CarPlay can already target multiple displays, showing different navigation info in the HUD vs the main infotainment display. It can already receive vehicle status information like EV state of charge. So there's already two way communication and the ability to target multiple displays.

 

[coolfactor]

With the way governments are turning against Apple, I can see a few of these backing out of their commitment.

 

[coolfactor]

What's not clear is how this system functions. Is it running directly on the car like Android Automotive, or do you still need to connect your phone? Google is way ahead in this area, especially if you still need to connect a phone. No one wants to be connecting their phone to the car. Everything should be integrated at this point. The phone should only be used for passing a data connection and phone calls.

This new CarPlay would run on the car's systems, not from a phone.

 

[JDHiro]

I'm a heavy CarPlay use but... I have major problems with CarPlay disconnecting when I drive through the city (Seattle). It nearly always disconnects. It's a minor annoyance when it's my music, but if it's the whole dashboard that's a bigger problem.

 

[manofthematch]

Want!

 

[Roller]

In short, yes. Cars already have microprocessors running operating systems and apps. They are already rolling computers, just mostly pretty crappy ones. So this is not a new thing, just a better version of the old thing. Both Apple and Google are supplying OSs to carmakers, which of course requires compatible hardware. This is not even slightly a big deal; Apple would love to sell A-series and M-series processors to carmakers. Why can't see you see this happening when this is the only way anything we're being shown can happen?

I'm aware that most modern cars have microprocessors, which could theoretically include ones capable of running iOS. But wouldn't that would also require Apple to license its software, including OS and the apps usable in the vehicle? And how would drivers install and/or update third-party apps like Waze?

 

[AppleTO]

I'm aware that most modern cars have microprocessors, which could theoretically include ones capable of running iOS. But wouldn't that would also require Apple to license its software, including OS and the apps usable in the vehicle? And how would drivers install and/or update third-party apps like Waze?

Yes, it sure world, and I hope they're on top of this. Google already has production vehicules running Android Automotive. Software updates would be OTA, either using a built-in cellular connection, Wi-Fi, or a paired phone, similar to how the Apple Watch works. This would allow the car to receive phone calls from your phone, like the Watch.

The cars probably wouldn't run iOS though. They would likely run 'carOS' or something similar, which can run on any modern 64-bit ARM processor with a suitable amount of ram and storage.

 

[groove-agent]

I wish Tesla would stop being so stubborn and adopt CarPlay but Elon has still an axe to grind with Apple because they wouldn’t let him become CEO. I wonder what Apple would have been like with Elon as CEO.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

My new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus has most of the things described in this article. It is all powered by Google. And that doesn't mean Android Auto running from my phone. The car itself has an Android-powered interface in a lower control screen and the 48" wide panoramic display screen across the dashboard. Google Maps is embedded on the top screen along with 3 widgets (Media, Clock, Weather, Fuel Efficiency, Tire Pressure, Trip Odometer, etc.) at a time and also the core driving-related elements directly in front of the driver. It also allows you to use CarPlay (or Andoid Auto), if you desire. I use CarPlay for Music (projecting the graphics up to the media widget) and Messages, Calendar, Podcasts, etc. I leave the CarPlay Apps screen on my lower screen full time. I can say "Hey Google, raise the temperature in the car". I haven't bothered to see what else I can command Google to do yet. But, I love how this all looks and works so far.

If Apple can get some of these manufacturers to do what Google has done for Lincoln, then it will be a good thing, I think. But Google seems to have a jump on them in doing so.

I can install apps to the car using the Google Play store. Waze, for example, would run from the car's installation. Not installed on my phone.

 

[CopyChief]

Will any of these new looks come to normal CarPlay as well? Weather widgets etc. really no reason not to, but I just have doubts (sadly).

I've been super curious about this since the announcement, too. My car's head unit is not integrated with a other displays or controls, but some of the additional pieces like widgets and weather would be great. I already use Apple Music to play local radio stations when I want them, so that might not change much. But just bringing it all together might be nice.

Hopefully we get some answers to this soon. iOS 17.5? 18? Delayed to 18.1?

 

[IJ Reilly]

Why do you assume it's the only way 2.0 could be done? The current CarPlay can already target multiple displays, showing different navigation info in the HUD vs the main infotainment display. It can already receive vehicle status information like EV state of charge. So there's already two way communication and the ability to target multiple displays.

Projection CarPlay requires a completely reliable wireless connection between the car and phone, which everyone who uses it knows is far from the case. Often connections are not made, are delayed, drop, or freeze. Making driving-critical displays dependent on intermittent connections would be a horrible user experience, and also not safe. Most importantly, Apple wants to improve on the CarPlay experience, and the way to do that is to offload the heavy lifting to the car's hardware. Why this concept hits so much resistance is hard to understand, since it totally makes sense, and Google is already doing this with Android Automotive.

 

[Neepman]

Yep. Now your 100 grand car can have its infotainment portal basically bricked after a year or two.

 

[wonderings]

I'm afraid what would happen if your phone freezes up? Is there a failsafe so that it falls back to the car's builtin dashboard?

CarPlay will crash and quit now, it is no big deal, you just end up at your default screen. This would be the same when taking over all the other components I am sure.

CarPlay needs to be really subtle, otherwise it is a huge distraction for the driver, and there are too many as it is. I do like Apple CarPlay in my Outback that has a reasonably big screen. It is great for navigation and does not demand that I move my focus from the road to the display. Not sure with all this new stuff what that will do for keeping your eyes on the road with all sorts of animations going on.

 

[IJ Reilly]

My new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus has most of the things described in this article. It is all powered by Google. And that doesn't mean Android Auto running from my phone. The car itself has an Android-powered interface in a lower control screen and the 48" wide panoramic display screen across the dashboard. Google Maps is embedded on the top screen along with 3 widgets (Media, Clock, Weather, Fuel Efficiency, Tire Pressure, Trip Odometer, etc.) at a time and also the core driving-related elements directly in front of the driver. It also allows you to use CarPlay (or Andoid Auto), if you desire. I use CarPlay for Music (projecting the graphics up to the media widget) and Messages, Calendar, Podcasts, etc. I leave the CarPlay Apps screen on my lower screen full time. I can say "Hey Google, raise the temperature in the car". I haven't bothered to see what else I can command Google to do yet. But, I love how this all looks and works so far.

If Apple can get some of these manufacturers to do what Google has done for Lincoln, then it will be a good thing, I think. But Google seems to have a jump on them in doing so.

I can install apps to the car using the Google Play store. Waze, for example, would run from the car's installation. Not installed on my phone.

This is my point illustrated by example. For some reason this is a hard concept to sell to Apple users, and articles about NextGen CarPlay never seem to pick up on it either. NextGen CarPlay is Apple's answer to Android Automotive, with all this implies.

 

[AppleTO]

This is my point illustrated by example. For some reason this is a hard concept to sell to Apple users, and articles about NextGen CarPlay never seem to pick up on it either. NextGen CarPlay is Apple's answer to Android Automotive, with all this implies.

Just tell them it's a giant Apple Watch and would function similarly but with optional phone paring.

 

[tdar]

Who’s not buying a GM car?

ME!! No CarPlay no buy!

 

[tdar]

Take a look at what Lincoln is doing in the 2024 Nautilus. The same thing is going to be happening with the 2025 Navigator. It’s the perfect displays for advanced CarPlay.

 

[IJ Reilly]

CarPlay will crash and quit now, it is no big deal, you just end up at your default screen. This would be the same when taking over all the other components I am sure.

CarPlay needs to be really subtle, otherwise it is a huge distraction for the driver, and there are too many as it is. I do like Apple CarPlay in my Outback that has a reasonably big screen. It is great for navigation and does not demand that I move my focus from the road to the display. Not sure with all this new stuff what that will do for keeping your eyes on the road with all sorts of animations going on.

Actually, it's a huge deal, especially if it controls your driving displays.

I've seen CarPlay freeze quite a few times. You notice the map hasn't advanced for a while because the connection is completely iced. The only way to reset it is to dig into the phone settings and reconnect, an operation you should definitely not be trying while driving. This is merely a pain if you need nav instructions, but dangerous if it impacts your driving displays or if you attempt to fiddle with your phone to fix it.

No carmaker will want to turn over control of their driving displays to a system that could bug out at any time. Apple would not want any part of such a thing either.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Projection CarPlay requires a completely reliable wireless connection between the car and phone, which everyone who uses it knows is far from the case. Often connections are not made, are delayed, drop, or freeze. Making driving-critical displays dependent on intermittent connections would be a horrible user experience, and also not safe. Most importantly, Apple wants to improve on the CarPlay experience, and the way to do that is to offload the heavy lifting to the car's hardware. Why this concept hits so much resistance is hard to understand, since it totally makes sense, and Google is already doing this with Android Automotive.

Apple already said it will run on your iPhone:

Keynote - WWDC22 - Videos - Apple Developer

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off with exciting reveals, inspiration, and new opportunities. Join the worldwide...

developer.apple.com

 

[tdar]

My new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus has most of the things described in this article. It is all powered by Google. And that doesn't mean Android Auto running from my phone. The car itself has an Android-powered interface in a lower control screen and the 48" wide panoramic display screen across the dashboard. Google Maps is embedded on the top screen along with 3 widgets (Media, Clock, Weather, Fuel Efficiency, Tire Pressure, Trip Odometer, etc.) at a time and also the core driving-related elements directly in front of the driver. It also allows you to use CarPlay (or Andoid Auto), if you desire. I use CarPlay for Music (projecting the graphics up to the media widget) and Messages, Calendar, Podcasts, etc. I leave the CarPlay Apps screen on my lower screen full time. I can say "Hey Google, raise the temperature in the car". I haven't bothered to see what else I can command Google to do yet. But, I love how this all looks and works so far.

If Apple can get some of these manufacturers to do what Google has done for Lincoln, then it will be a good thing, I think. But Google seems to have a jump on them in doing so.

I can install apps to the car using the Google Play store. Waze, for example, would run from the car's installation. Not installed on my phone.

One amazing thing that you have in your car is something that many people have not discovered yet. In settings you can set the map display in the driver screen to change from Google Maps to Apple Maps. One of the few cars that can do that.
I am thinking about getting a 2025 navigator. Lincoln has not announced anything about it yet, but the internet doesn’t wait. The spy shots are already out there. It’s going to have the same scene system that you have but just bigger because the navigation is so much wider.
Hope you’re enjoying your new car!!

 

[IJ Reilly]

Apple already said it will run on your iPhone:

Keynote - WWDC22 - Videos - Apple Developer

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off with exciting reveals, inspiration, and new opportunities. Join the worldwide...

developer.apple.com

Actually, it doesn't say that at all. The statement that comes as close as any to describing how this works:

To do this, your iPhone communicates with your vehicle's real-time systems in an on-device, privacy-friendly way, showing all of your driving information like speed, RPMs, fuel level, temperature, and more.

Now we just need to apply a little knowledge and logic to what that means.

 

[cbns]

any changes to the old carplay versions?

When will they allow us to play media (when parked) ?
And their awful tight grip on what apps they allow in carplay really devalues the whole system