Here's the Latest on Next-Generation CarPlay After Missed 2024 Launch

[rgwebb]

I recently rented an Audi and I have to say that it was probably some of the worst ergonomics I have experienced in a car. And not because of the screen stuff, but almost everything had a separate stick attached to the steering wheel; I mean come on, the Japanese figured out how to do everything with 2 sticks, come on Germany!

My 2016 Mazda MX-5 is fantastic (manual also); the Xterra is above average.

I liked the dedicated cruise control stick on my Audi before I traded it for the BMW. You can control every single cruise function on it. It's quick to set, reset, and adjust speed. Similarly had up-down toggle for controlling the trail distance.

However, from around 2020/2021 until 2025 A4/5 and Q3/4/5 have a serious ergonomics problem because they use to have a click wheel for controlling their UI with touch as a fallback but in the midcycle refresh they removed the click wheel but did not thoroughly rethink the cabin design to facilitate a touch-only interface. Additionally, their voice assistant is just plain bad compared to the other two major German brands.

I don't care for the upcoming generation of Audis but their interiors seem a bit better for touch interface usage with the screen more significantly angled toward the driver.

 

[iPay]

More here, dated 15-jan-2025:
https://www.arenaev.com/carplay_20_will_be_easier_to_customize_with_widgets-news-4325.php
Q. do we need widgets on car screens?
A. define "we".

 

[Mr_Ed]

That's great, we love that for you. I can't confidently say the TikTok generation will have the thoughtfulness to pull over like you would.

Unfortunately, we share the road with everyone else. Even people that are easily distracted.

You and I fundamentally agree on this particular point. I just don’t think facilitating access to anything not related to driving is the solution. Those same easily distracted people will have even more opportunities to disengage from driving. The ‘TikTok generation’ already seems to exhibit the attention span of a moth. Light up a widget when message or other notification arrives and they are done.

 

[Chungry]

I recently rented an Audi and I have to say that it was probably some of the worst ergonomics I have experienced in a car. And not because of the screen stuff, but almost everything had a separate stick attached to the steering wheel; I mean come on, the Japanese figured out how to do everything with 2 sticks, come on Germany!

My 2016 Mazda MX-5 is fantastic (manual also); the Xterra is above average.

I mean it's an Audi

 

[avkills]

I mean it's an Audi

Other than the ergonomics it drove very well.

 

[mkoesel]

Even beyond that, I think the better automakers are coming to the converse conclusion of Alan Kay's famous quote: "If you are serious about hardware, you should make your own software."

BMW, Mercedes Benz, Rivian, and Tesla are widely considered to have the best infotainment operating systems in the business.

I don't disagree with your concerns about Android Automotive long term, but as far the automakers you list, only Mercedes and Tesla are still going it alone. Rivian is already using Android Automotive from my understanding (everything I've read), and BMW started making the switch as of last year:

BMW Switches to Open Source Android Automotive OS Coming 2024

BMW is switching to an open source Android Automotive operating system beginning in 2024. Here's what it means for the brand.

www.bmwblog.com

 

[rgwebb]

I don't disagree with your concerns about Android Automotive long term, but as far the automakers you list, only Mercedes and Tesla are still going it alone. Rivian is already using Android Automotive from my understanding (everything I've read), and BMW started making the switch as of last year:

BMW Switches to Open Source Android Automotive OS Coming 2024

BMW is switching to an open source Android Automotive operating system beginning in 2024. Here's what it means for the brand.

www.bmwblog.com

This must be what iDrive X demoed at CES last week is based on...

 

[Mousse]

This makes no sense. Nearly every manufacturer adopted the past CarPlay despite Apple's "arrogance".

Car manufacturers don't like living on the bleeding edge. The 2025 model is sold during 2024, manufactured in 2023, designed in 2022 or earlier. Hail, ICE cars still use lead acid batteries, a technology that's older than sliced bread. Don't expect them to adopt the latest software update without through testing first. More so with CarPlay 2, since Apple has been releasing software with too many "undocumented features" that requires patch days later to remove.

 

[Chungry]

Car manufacturers don't like living on the bleeding edge. The 2025 model is sold during 2024, manufactured in 2023, designed in 2022 or earlier. Hail, ICE cars still use lead acid batteries, a technology that's older than sliced bread. Don't expect them to adopt the latest software update without through testing first. More so with CarPlay 2, since Apple has been releasing software with too many "undocumented features" that requires patch days later to remove.

If Apple ever patches it- that's a big IF. Plus Apple won't decoupled core parts of the OS like carplay or even the mail app and allow it to be updated independently (probably because they somehow lack the people or the organizational structure to do so)

 

[dba415]

If you are waiting on the next generation CarPlay, you will be waiting for a long time. Car manufacturers had to be convinced to adopt CarPlay originally as it is, they don't want it in their cars, consumers forced their hand. They will take as much time as possible to upgrade CarPlay. They would rather have their own infotainment systems be better than CarPlay, so people use that instead of CarPlay. So in that way, improving the CarPlay experience literally works against their interests.

 

[Mega ST]

You wait for the car to start, the OS to start, the phone to connect, then it's there. With 2.0, the moment Car Key says you are coming to the car, CarPlay starts - before you even get into the car.

Why would I need this? I have my working mobile phone with me whenever I am not inside the car. Only inside the car I need CarPlay because I am not permitted to use the phone while conducting the car.
And "the wait" is none in real life. I just sit down and buckle up and it IS connected.

 

[hagar]

Because some automotive manufacturers, particularly in premium / luxury / exotic segments, have a very high percentage of owners and prospective owners who are married to the Apple ecosystem.

Sure, and they can be serviced with CarPlay 1.

I remain unconvinced CarPlay 2 will take off because of reluctance by car manufacturers.

 

[Mega ST]

Car manufactures are finally aware that their valuable customer data, movements, contacts, shopping and banking will be open end monitored and harvested and integrated by Car-Network providers.

From a car user perspective I am not convinced how much I will gain by using this? I certainly don't need advertisements/ paid for route suggestions all the time.

 

[MrSkoTA]

Not surprising-- if a car maker has put that much screen real estate into their vehicle, they'll want to control the branding and experience. Current car play replaces the radio interface, but new car play replaces everything.

Look at the ‘24/‘25 Lincoln Nautilus and 2025 Navigator. They are exactly this picture of Apple CarPlay… but with Android Auto at the helm (no phone needed! Disappointing! Hopefully CarPlay can be ‘retrofitted!

 

[MrSkoTA]

Car manufactures are finally aware that their valuable customer data, movements, contacts, shopping and banking will be open end monitored and harvested and integrated by Car-Network providers.

From a car user perspective I am not convinced how much I will gain by using this? I certainly don't need advertisements/ paid for route suggestions all the time.

Look at the ‘24/‘25 Lincoln Nautilus and 2025 Navigator. They are exactly this picture of Apple CarPlay… but with Android Auto at the helm (no phone needed)! Disappointing! Hopefully CarPlay can be ‘retrofitted!