Has Apple’s next-gen CarPlay already misplaced the battle for next-gen automobiles?

Abstract

• Android Automotive is already constructed into numerous automobiles, whereas Apple’s next-gen CarPlay stays vaporware.
• The Android tech is sweet sufficient that some folks could not even care about connecting their iPhones when the time comes.
• Apple nonetheless has some incentive to ship the ultimate product, although, and we may hear extra about it at WWDC 2025 this June.

In current months, I’ve discovered myself writing much more about CarPlay than I might’ve anticipated. A part of that’s an elevated automotive focus right here at Pocket-lint, but it surely’s additionally a subject that is legitimately within the information. Largely, that is as a result of Apple missed a 2024 window for launching its next-generation CarPlay platform, regardless of first revealing the know-how again in 2022. The corporate even had two main companions introduced on the time, Porsche and Aston Martin.

The newest associated growth is that Hyundai is creating a brand new working system for its automobiles, dubbed Pleos. That in itself would not be related, besides that Pleos will see Hyundai be a part of Rivian, GM, Polestar, and lots of different auto manufacturers in adopting Android Automotive (to not be confused with Android Auto). Does that imply that Apple has missed the boat on next-generation CarPlay? Not but, I believe, but it surely’s an open query.

Time is working out to be a dominant participant

Will iPhone house owners even care when next-gen CarPlay is prepared?

It is arduous to overstate how a lot of a lead Android Automotive has. It won’t be in your present automobile, however a few of the different manufacturers utilizing the OS embrace Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Volvo. The record is longer nonetheless when you embrace automobiles with out Google Automotive Providers (GAS) apps. That is the place manufacturers like Rivian enter the image — whereas its software program is not instantly recognizable as Android, the Rivian platform does in reality use Android Automotive as a basis.

CarPlay help can also be widespread, however solely in its most elementary incarnation, i.e. the one which runs on a single display screen and principally permits you to use the media and navigation apps in your iPhone, not management automobile settings or test your mileage. For its next-gen tech, Apple is reportedly caught working with particular person carmakers to tailor it. It is unavoidable — not like Android, automakers aren’t allowed to take the iOS codebase and construct their very own spin-offs, and even license the equal of GAS. CarPlay is perhaps free for carmakers to undertake, however solely with Apple’s participation and approval.

The extra folks get comfy with Android Automotive and different native automotive platforms, the much less vital CarPlay will develop into.

Android Automotive is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it surely’s persevering with to evolve, and that is possible greater than ok for lots of iPhone house owners. In any case, when you’re already utilizing Spotify and Google Maps as an alternative of Apple’s personal Music and Maps apps, there is not any want to attach your iPhone — you are good to go. In reality, I might a lot fairly use built-in software program, since meaning there’s much less trouble with pairing. Even in its next-gen model, CarPlay will all the time require pairing an iPhone, protecting it with you, and reconnecting if another person drives your automotive.

The extra folks get comfy with Android Automotive and different native automotive platforms, the much less vital CarPlay will develop into. There wasn’t a lot menace of this previously, since automakers appeared completely happy to supply their very own crude software program that was barely helpful (if in any respect). Now that native software program is definitely getting higher, automakers like GM and Rivian have realized that they do not want CarPlay to be in style.

Will automakers slam the door on CarPlay?

Components at play

For now, Apple nonetheless has some respiratory room. Largely, it is as a result of there’s nothing stopping an automaker from supporting each CarPlay and Android Automotive. When you cannot use CarPlay in a Rivian R1T, say, the Polestar 2 has supported CarPlay for years. If an automaker actually needs to appease Apple followers, it is only a query of devoting the required time and sources.

Apple is nothing if not dedicated to sustaining its market place, and for that, there’s actually no selection however to complete next-generation CarPlay.

There’s nonetheless loads of incentive to appease these followers, too. iPhones stay exceedingly in style within the US, Canada, UK, and Japan, that are markets few automakers can afford to disregard. Certainly, when my spouse and I had been automotive buying in Texas in 2018, and once more in Alberta in 2022, CarPlay was non-negotiable for us. We did not want the wi-fi model of the function, however the concept of getting to depend on a automotive mount to get round (then) ugly built-in software program was unappealing once we knew how widespread CarPlay was.

If folks begin selecting specific fashions due to the next-gen tech, different automotive manufacturers will probably be compelled to observe swimsuit.

Apple is nothing if not dedicated to sustaining its market place, and for that, there’s actually no selection however to complete next-generation CarPlay, even when just some automakers undertake it initially. That could be all the corporate wants — if folks begin selecting specific fashions due to the next-gen tech, different automotive manufacturers will probably be compelled to observe swimsuit. That is precisely what occurred with CarPlay’s authentic incarnation. In 2014 and 2015, CarPlay was extraordinarily area of interest, however a number of years later, deliberately omitting it was thought of a daring and (usually) irrational resolution.

Taking the wraps off Apple’s plans

Information could also be across the nook

We’re nearly definitely going to study one thing quickly. Apple not too long ago introduced a June 9 date for its 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention, and the corporate all the time makes use of WWDC to preview upcoming releases of iOS, together with CarPlay adjustments. If the next-gen platform is totally unmentioned, that would imply a delay till late 2026, and even 2027. That might end in additional unhealthy publicity, which Apple can scarcely afford in the meanwhile, given the current information that it is delaying Apple Intelligence upgrades it promised alongside the iPhone 16. Individuals do not belief Apple to ship on revolutionary options anymore, not when different firms are beating it to the punch.

Apple’s in a tricky place, and it may must exhibit dedication and chops.

It is principally only a query of what Apple’s going to say this summer season, I think. At a minimal, it is most likely going to substantiate that growth’s ongoing, and set a brand new goal window. I might wager one thing after the launch of iOS 19 this September, however earlier than iOS 20 arrives in September 2026. If we’re fortunate, we’ll get some extra confirmed manufacturers, and an up to date preview of the know-how in motion. Hopefully, together with actual software program working on an actual automobile this time, not simply pre-rendered ideas.

So no, Apple hasn’t misplaced the battle for the way forward for automotive interfaces. Nevertheless it’s in a tricky place, and it may must exhibit the dedication to see it via, in addition to the chops to show there is a purpose to attach an iPhone to your automotive each time you get in to go to work or the grocery retailer.