Polestar 2 Software Update Brings Wave of New Apple CarPlay Features

[MacRumors]

Swedish automaker Polestar today announced that it is releasing a software update to all existing Polestar 2 vehicles to add new Apple CarPlay features, including full-screen Apple Maps in the driver display.

Polestar and its parent brand Volvo, which announced this update a couple of weeks ago, appear to be the second automaker to support display of Apple Maps and navigation information projected from CarPlay in the driver display. BMW was the first automaker to include the extended CarPlay feature in its Polestar 2 rival, the BMW i4, in 2021.

Some vehicles with Apple CarPlay already feature limited turn-by-turn directional information fed from Apple Maps on the driver display, but full integration of Apple Maps into the instrument cluster is still very uncommon.

The P2.9 over-the-air update also brings additional phone and media information from Apple CarPlay to to the Polestar 2's home screen tile, support for managing phone calls in Apple CarPlay using the steering wheel buttons, and projection of calls in the driver display.

In addition, the update includes improvements to Polestar's Range Assistant app and the introduction of an integrated YouTube app. The new CarPlay experience and the YouTube app will be installed by default on all newly produced cars.

Apple CarPlay in the Polestar 2 remains wired only, with no support for wireless CarPlay. The Polestar 2 also does not support Apple's EV routing and state of charge integration features, as offered on the Ford Mustang Mach E and Porsche Taycan.

Update: Updated to note that Volvo also announced these features with the same software version.

Article Link: Polestar 2 Software Update Brings Wave of New Apple CarPlay Features

 

[NotAdvisable]

I'm going to say it...

... I wish Tesla did this.

I've loved using Tesla's built-in navigation system - I truly think it's industry leading - but Apple's CarPlay truly ties in everything from an iPhone into a car. Have also had some slight issues with Spotify on Tesla, and it would be great to at least have more than one option available.

 

[6787872]

better than junky, buggy tesla software.

 

[ersan191]

Man, my next car might be a Polestar instead of a Tesla at this rate.

 

[CaptainBlue]

Another tick in the Polestar box for me then.

I test drove a Lotus Emira a week or two ago and absolutely loved it, but mapping and directions on CarPlay were ignored in favour of the car's own satnav in the driver's display.

 

[coffeemilktea]

This is such great news for the half-dozen or so people who have one.

 

[Alex Cai]

Putting the map on the dashboard beneath the steering wheel is a brilliant idea

 

[mbur]

Volvo announced this before Polestar, making Volvo the second maker to include this and Polestar the third.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/volvo-releases-software-version-29-with-huge-carplay-news-215094.html

 

[ikir]

Swedish automaker Polestar today announced that it is releasing a software update to all existing Polestar 2 vehicles to add new Apple CarPlay features, including full-screen Apple Maps in the driver display.

Polestar appears to be the second automaker to support display of Apple Maps and navigation information projected from CarPlay in the drivers display. BMW was the first automaker to include the extended CarPlay feature in its Polestar 2 rival, the BMW i4, in 2021.

Some vehicles with Apple CarPlay already feature limited turn-by-turn directional information fed from Apple Maps on the driver's display, but full integration of Apple Maps into the instrument cluster is still very uncommon.

The P2.9 over-the-air update also brings additional phone and media information from Apple CarPlay to to the Polestar 2's home screen tile, support for managing phone calls in Apple CarPlay using the steering wheel buttons, and projection of calls in the driver display.

In addition, the update includes improvements to Polestar's Range Assistant app and the introduction of an integrated YouTube app. The new CarPlay experience and the YouTube app will be installed by default on all newly produced cars.

Apple CarPlay in the Polestar 2 remains wired only, with no support for wireless CarPlay. The Polestar 2 also does not support Apple's EV routing and state of charge integration features, as offered on the Ford Mustang Mach E and Porsche Taycan.

Article Link: Polestar 2 Software Update Brings Wave of New Apple CarPlay Features

Much better than Tesla. Love Polestar.

 

[nathan_reilly]

Volvo announced this before Polestar, making Volvo the second maker to include this and Polestar the third.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/volvo-releases-software-version-29-with-huge-carplay-news-215094.html

this is all well and good, and Polestar may argue the point, but Volvo = Polestar. Its just rebranding!

Edit: just for more fun facts, in 2009 there was a "Volvo C30 Polestar Concept"

 

[paulovsouza]

I just ought a Plestar 2, and I can’t wait for the new Apple CarPlay to poke out it looks so good. This is an added bonus, but no Bluetooth, integration with rage routing is kinda a let down because that would actually be very useful. And I don’t know if they’d be able to make Apple CarKey happen. But I love this car. It looks so good, it’s fun to drive the range is just right. I just need full Apple integration, Google Auto is very lacking.

 

[Jeaz]

This is very nice. And Polestar/Volvo was on the deck last year as one of early adopters of next-gen CarPlay. I really like their cars but didn’t like the Google setup so went with a BMW i4 instead that I’m getting in august. But when this contract expires in 3 years then maybe they added the new UI, wireless CarPlay and car key support.

 

[brutusfly]

I'm going to say it...

... I wish Tesla did this.

I've loved using Tesla's built-in navigation system - I truly think it's industry leading - but Apple's CarPlay truly ties in everything from an iPhone into a car. Have also had some slight issues with Spotify on Tesla, and it would be great to at least have more than one option available.

I just drove 500 miles in a rental Tesla Model 3 AWD, and lack of phone control and visuals is the most disappointing part of the experience for me. My EV at home gives me the seamless podcast, nav, Siri button, group chat...
I really like other aspects of the Tesla, but for me a Tesla could have been a clear winner, but still isn't.

 

[mbur]

this is all well and good, and Polestar may argue the point, but Volvo = Polestar. Its just rebranding!

Edit: just for more fun facts, in 2009 there was a "Volvo C30 Polestar Concept"

I don't disagree with you. I was merely pointing out the factual mistake in the article: "Polestar appears to be the second automaker..."

 

[Robert.Walter]

Very premium brand move. Good on them!

 

[Optheduim]

I love my polestar 2. Didn’t use CarPlay because the steering wheel controls didn’t work and it didn’t leverage the steering wheel screen. It’s a drastic improvement.

 

[ersan191]

Volvo announced this before Polestar, making Volvo the second maker to include this and Polestar the third.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/volvo-releases-software-version-29-with-huge-carplay-news-215094.html

Polestar is owned by Volvo

 

[nathan_reilly]

I don't disagree with you. I was merely pointing out the factual mistake in the article: "Polestar appears to be the second automaker..."

Wellllll if we are going to nitpick facts, you should have said something like "Polestar is actually Volvo so it's just one company rolling out this functionality across its brands!" But it's also worth mentioning that Polestar DESPERATELY wants to be seen as independent from Volvo, more than a few cuts above, more than a few $$ more, so they'd be quite happy with being classified as an "automaker" that is independent from "automaker Volvo" when in my mind, the corporate structure & who profits is what is real.

 

[MarcoPohlo]

This has been possible since 2019 https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2019/252/ yet nobody seems to care. It's sad, I wish I had this in my car, it's brand new, I picked it up last month. Well, let's hope my next car (around 2026) will have the new CarPlay experience.

 

[androvboy]

My 2 cents. Had my Polestar 2 for 12 months and it is simply the best car I have ever owned (and my last car was a Porsche Panamera GTS). I have the software power upgrade (extra 50ps) and 4WD so it is 0-60 in about 4 seconds, beautifully quiet, comfortable etc. Love it and would not swap.....no other car I fancy at any price at the moment.

Negatives: Occasionally need to reboot the display as it kinda hangs or loses sound. Occasionally it loses internet connection....but that may be the internet provider in my area.

p.s. I am an Apple Fanboy but Google Voice is better than Siri. Sorry but it is.

 

[sunapple]

This is such great news for the half-dozen or so people who have one.

They’re on the corner of every street here in The Netherlands 😉

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Polestar is owned by Volvo

Volvo own 49% and the rest is Chinese investment. I think they are manufactured in China, but then so are Volvo's these days. Polestar operate as a separate entity to Volvo though.

 

[J___o___h___n]

This looks stunning. I sooo want one.

 

[bommai]

This is such great news for the half-dozen or so people who have one.

I see more and more of them now a days. I look for other EVs on the road because I drive an EV as well (Ioniq 5).

 

[diamond.g]

Volvo own 49% and the rest is Chinese investment. I think they are manufactured in China, but then so are Volvo's these days. Polestar operate as a separate entity to Volvo though.

Geely owns Volvo Group (Volvo and Polestar) and Lotus. So it is a weird circular ownership like Porsche and VW Group.