Infiniti Announces Complimentary Wireless CarPlay Upgrade for Most 2020 and Newer Vehicles

[MacRumors]

Infiniti today announced that most of its 2020 and newer vehicles are now eligible for a complimentary upgrade to wireless CarPlay in the United States.

The free software update is available for 2020 and 2021 models of the Q50, Q60, QX50, and QX80 from now until March 31, 2022, according to Infiniti. Owners of these vehicles can schedule an appointment at an Infiniti dealership to have the update completed.

Infiniti is also offering wireless CarPlay in 2022 models of the Q50, Q60, QX55, QX60, and QX80.

Infiniti, the luxury brand of Japanese automaker Nissan, was a late adopter of CarPlay. MacRumors editor-in-chief Eric Slivka reviewed wired CarPlay in the 2020 QX50 last year and the vehicle is now eligible for the complimentary wireless CarPlay upgrade.

Wireless CarPlay works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing for an iPhone to be connected to the infotainment system without a Lightning cable. Infiniti joins a long list of automakers that have started adopting wireless CarPlay, including Hyundai, Honda, Acura, Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and others.

Article Link: Infiniti Announces Complimentary Wireless CarPlay Upgrade for Most 2020 and Newer Vehicles

 

[zemberoni]

would be nice if VW follows suit (inclusive of 2020 models); would be even nicer if there were OTA updates that don't require a dealership visit

 

[tooloud10]

It's borderline ridiculous that wireless CarPlay wasn't the standard from Day One. I mean, it's not like they were waiting for an amazing breakthrough in Bluetooth and wifi connectivity to make this possible.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

Isn’t Infiniti going bankrupt? Their sales are tanking

 

[Madhatter32]

Infiniti adding Carplay and dropping CVTs -- now they need to fix everything else.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

It's borderline ridiculous that wireless CarPlay wasn't the standard from Day One. I mean, it's not like they were waiting for an amazing breakthrough in Bluetooth and wifi connectivity to make this possible.

Complaining about lack of wireless? It wasn't that long ago that people were bitching for years about them taking out the headphone jacks. And laughed and made endless memes when Phil Schiller said it was courage. It’s so funny that it took people a long time to find out he was right

 

[keco185]

The fact that most cars still need to be taken to a dealership for small software updates is ridiculous

 

[jonen]

Probably a long shot but I'm hoping my 2020 Santa Fe is eligible for this at some point... 😂

 

[Blackstick]

Meanwhile Audi would tell me, "you're welcome to buy our Prestige trim next time for an additional $6000 if you prefer wireless CarPlay."

 

[gsmornot]

Meanwhile Audi would tell me, "you're welcome to buy our Prestige trim next time for an additional $6000 if you prefer wireless CarPlay."

We have an Audi with Prestige and in 2018 cooled seats were still an option we could not get. I think because of the brown leather but dang.

 

[jdsingle]

It's honestly obscene how slow auto manufacturers are to adopt new technology. I've been running CarPlay in my vehicles with aftermarket head units. At least our latest car (2021) leverages CarPlay and the integration with the heads up display is great. BMW has a terrible user interface with their standard system. At some point auto manufacturers need to learn that we prefer to leverage our phone capabilities vs whatever they have installed.

 

[jdsingle]

We have an Audi with Prestige and in 2018 cooled seats were still an option we could not get. I think because of the brown leather but dang.

This is the one thing I would do differently on our BMW. We moved to Phoenix from Seattle, and I'm disappointed I didn't just pony up for these to begin with.

 

[Ant2369]

Wow it would be amazing if Chrysler/Jeep will do this too!!!

 

[M5RahuL]

"Infiniti, the luxury brand of Japanese automaker Nissan, was a late adopter of CarPlay."

Lexus - hold my beer!

 

[gomichaelgo]

It's borderline ridiculous that wireless CarPlay wasn't the standard from Day One. I mean, it's not like they were waiting for an amazing breakthrough in Bluetooth and wifi connectivity to make this possible.

I don't recall many cars that had wireless charging built into cars back then though. You would have needed to plug in your phone to be able to charge and use CarPlay for extended periods of time so it probably wasn't a big deal.

 

[LogicalApex]

It's honestly obscene how slow auto manufacturers are to adopt new technology. I've been running CarPlay in my vehicles with aftermarket head units. At least our latest car (2021) leverages CarPlay and the integration with the heads up display is great. BMW has a terrible user interface with their standard system. At some point auto manufacturers need to learn that we prefer to leverage our phone capabilities vs whatever they have installed.

BMW iDrive 7 is pretty solid. I actually prefer it to CarPlay for navigation and most other functions. BMW iDrive was on of the few manufacturer UIs that people preferred over CarPlay when CR surveyed as well. So I’m not alone here.

How Do In-Car Infotainment Systems Compare to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Consumer Reports' exclusive member survey reveals in-car infotainment system satisfaction compared against Android Auto and Apple CarPlay based on member satisfaction.

www.consumerreports.org

But the nice thing about the modern times is we’re given the option of both. Those who prefer CarPlay over their car’s system (and many systems are bad) can leverage it and vice versa.

 

[jdsingle]

BMW iDrive 7 is pretty solid. I actually prefer it to CarPlay for navigation and most other functions. BMW iDrive was on of the few manufacturer UIs that people preferred over CarPlay when CR surveyed as well. So I’m not alone here.

How Do In-Car Infotainment Systems Compare to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Consumer Reports' exclusive member survey reveals in-car infotainment system satisfaction compared against Android Auto and Apple CarPlay based on member satisfaction.

www.consumerreports.org

View attachment 1863159

But the nice thing about the modern times is we’re given the option of both. Those who prefer CarPlay over their car’s system (and many systems are bad) can leverage it and vice versa.

I'm curious, what do you like about it? I've got the iDrive in our X5, and the UI looks like something out of the 90's. CarPlay projects up on the heads up display, so I don't need the map on the driver's dashboard. BMW also includes the turning directions there from CarPlay.

We also found that owners of BMWs who use wireless CarPlay connections were a lot less satisfied. That’s probably because of its spotty WiFi-based connection, says Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at CR. “We also observed it won’t always connect on startup,” he says. “Although it’s convenient to use WiFi and leave your phone in your pocket, it’s not as certain as a wired connection.” BMW didn’t respond to CR’s requests for comment.

I could see this part being true in why BMW owners don't like CarPlay, but I've had few issues with Wireless CarPlay. It's much better than having to plug in to the head unit with my Jeep.

 

[B4U]

Sigh.
The other automakers better start looking into back-porting the function to their 1 to 2 year old vehicles.
They would be mistaken if they think keeping it exclusive to the newer model year can lead to sales of the new vehicles.
The "inconvenience" of plugging in a cable versus the purchase price of a new vehicle is a simple decision.
I am not getting rid of my 2 year old vehicle just for that.

 

[pwharff]

Evidently Honda has been considering this as well:

Honda May Let You Update Your Car To Add Wireless CarPlay And Android Auto

If you own a Honda produced within the last several years and wish you could enjoy the wireless CarPlay or Android Auto experience newer models have, you may be in luck. The company is reaching out to customers to gauge interest in optional upgrades that would add wireless phone projection...

jalopnik.com

I really hope they do!

 

[robertjamesm]

Car manufacturers only want you to upgrade your car for a stupid radio when you can just upgrade your vehicle with an aftermarket wireless car play radio. I recently did this and it was the best decision.

 

[macsound1]

The fact that most cars still need to be taken to a dealership for small software updates is ridiculous

Except that one of the highest frustrations for Tesla owners (mostly Model 3) is automatic OTA updates that move features on the touch screen to make space for the new XYZ. Because they have no physical buttons drivers rely on muscle memory to operate everything and when an update comes randomly, you have no opportunity to learn.

 

[jaytv111]

It's borderline ridiculous that wireless CarPlay wasn't the standard from Day One. I mean, it's not like they were waiting for an amazing breakthrough in Bluetooth and wifi connectivity to make this possible.

They had to wait for cars to have Wi-fi (it was not common when Carplay debuted).

I don't recall many cars that had wireless charging built into cars back then though. You would have needed to plug in your phone to be able to charge and use CarPlay for extended periods of time so it probably wasn't a big deal.

That makes me wonder, is wireless charging required to have wireless Carplay? I feel like you can do wireless Carplay but also offer wired input if you want to charge (and bonus is that wired connections are more reliable than wireless), no need for a Qi pad.

 

[I7guy]

Sorry for the asterisks, but it's about ****ing time.

 

[yockster]

Infiniti today announced that most of its 2020 and newer vehicles are now eligible for a complimentary upgrade to wireless CarPlay in the United States.

The free software update is available for 2020 and 2021 models of the Q50, Q60, QX50, and QX80 from now until March 31, 2022, according to Infiniti. Owners of these vehicles can schedule an appointment at an Infiniti dealership to have the update completed.

Infiniti is also offering wireless CarPlay in 2022 models of the Q50, Q60, QX55, QX60, and QX80.

Infiniti, the luxury brand of Japanese automaker Nissan, was a late adopter of CarPlay. MacRumors editor-in-chief Eric Slivka reviewed wired CarPlay in the 2020 QX50 last year and the vehicle is now eligible for the complimentary wireless CarPlay upgrade.

Wireless CarPlay works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing for an iPhone to be connected to the infotainment system without a Lightning cable. Infiniti joins a long list of automakers that have started adopting wireless CarPlay, including Hyundai, Honda, Acura, Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and others.

Article Link: Infiniti Announces Complimentary Wireless CarPlay Upgrade for Most 2020 and Newer Vehicles

I wish Toyota would follow suit.

 

[Brandon42]

I am just frustrated with GM including a Qi wireless phone charger and in-car WiFi but not including wireless CarPlay.

But I am glad they added the new feature where you can’t use the full range of your car and need to park it 50ft from other cars. /s