Next-Gen CarPlay Fiasco: Apple’s Delayed Revolution on Wheels
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The Uncertain Future of Apple CarPlay: Will It Succeed Where Music and Telecom Failed?
Apple has a history of disrupting industries it has a limited influence over. While it’s had success in music and telecom, the automotive industry has been a tougher nut to crack. You might say that CarPlay revolutionized infotainment, but that revolution also inspired legacy carmakers to take software more seriously. Now, Apple wants to take over vehicle interfaces with its next-generation CarPlay. Announced in 2022 with "first models arriving in 2024" from Porsche and Aston Martin, but today marks the end of 2024, and no such vehicles exist. So, what happened?
What We Do Know
As of November, Porsche told MacRumors that it had no "near-term" plans to launch the new CarPlay, which can take over all a vehicle’s displays, including the digital gauge cluster and HVAC interface. This is a big loss for Apple, as Porsche sells more cars per year than the ultra-luxury Aston Martin. Aston Martin, too, has been mum on a firm date for the new CarPlay’s arrival in its DB12.
The Landscape
Stanley "Scott" Frank, renowned auto journalist, wrote: "The flow from tapping on a ‘seat massage’ button in next-gen CarPlay to deeper settings. Where you end up is up to the manufacturer." For Apple, it’s not just about getting on board; it’s about carving out a place where its partners are content. Apple got around this by getting into bed with carmakers earlier in the game, leveraging ubiquitous services like Maps, Gmail, and Calendar to bake its influence into Android Automotive-based systems. That hasn’t been Apple’s approach, and unless there’s a sudden change of heart from the industry, the CarPlay of the future may look much like it does today.
The Problem: Jay Z or Will Psst?
Imagine having to choose between Jay Z and Will Smith for a musical bonanza. Apple has had this same problem: its CarPlay isn’t gaining traction, and carmakers want their features. Apple got around this by giving control to the instantiation. While carmakers could open up specific features to be managed by Apple, it’s hard to see a unified standard emerging.
The Verdict
The future of Apple CarPlay is uncertain. The company has tried to revitalize its presence in the automotive industry with next-generation CarPlay, but it’s unclear whether it will succeed. CarPlay 2.0 could be met with resistance from car manufacturers, who are worried about losing control. In the end, Apple’s CarPlay won’t revolutionize the automotive world without a little help from its friends on the other side of the parking lot.
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