Few Automakers Haven't Figured Out Apple's New CarPlay Despite WWDC Announcement

While Apple grandiosely announced an advanced new version of CarPlay at WWDC 2022 earlier this week, according to a report by the Verge, major automotive players haven't figured out how they will be using what seems like an Apple operating system for the car. Apple for its part announced Mercedes, Ford, Lincoln, Honda, Acura, Renault, Nissan, Porsche, Audi, Volvo and Polestar were going to be launching vehicles which will leverage the new CarPlay at the fag end of 2023. But considering the new version of CarPlay now expands beyond the infotainment screen and can adapt to different screen sizes, according to the Verge report aren't sure how this will pan out. 

CarPlay over the years became a phone beaming and syncing technology that enabled the user to have his / her iPhone interface and apps run on top of the infotainment screen via Bluetooth or via USB. But Apple's new CarPlay now also enables the system to take over the instrument cluster and operate more like an operating system for the car. 

CarPlay is moving beyond the infotainment system 

In the demos by Apple, there was a user interface for the speedometer, RPM counter, and fuel and range metrics were provided apart from controls for the HVAC system of the car. This interface also extends to not just the virtual instrument cluster but also other aspects of the car. 

The verge reached out to 12 major automakers and all seemed coy. Some of these included carmakers, which Apple had announced on stage as partners. For instance, Volvo which already uses Android Automotive in some cars said, "At this time, we don't have anything to share beyond that we plan to support this next generation of Apple CarPlay in future vehicles." Volvo is also the parent of Polestar so this could also extend to the electric car maker. 

"Apple CarPlay will come to Polestar 2 as part of an OTA update later this month. We're also thrilled to announce that the next generation of CarPlay will be coming to Polestar cars in the future," said the Swedish EV maker. 

Mercedes which was announced as one of the major adopters of the new CarPlay was unclear whether it was onboard or not. "In general, we evaluate all potentially relevant new technologies and functions internally. In this context, we also hold discussions with Apple."

Ford was also not clear if it was going to be using Apple's CarPlay. "Thanks for reaching out on the next-generation Apple CarPlay story. We do not have any additional information to share at this time," said the Detroit based carmaker which has also a partnership with Google for Android Automotive. 

The thing about the new CarPlay is that it still works via the phone and is not fully an embedded system - at least the way Apple has described it so far. It surely may need a certain minimum hardware specification for validation and an iPhone on the other end for it to work but it is not integrated only in the car like Android Automotive and so far sounds starkly like a phone beaming technology like Android Auto with Apple's iPhone being the primary hook. 

Automakers are petrified that tech majors like Apple and Google will come and eat their lunch as cars move towards electric powertrains and operate more on the basis of silicon and software than mechanical parts. Apple's dependency on the iPhone would make automakers wary. 

Apple has noted many major automakers as its partner for the new CarPlay

That's why even the likes of BMW, Toyota and GM have not committed to CarPlay and weren't mentioned in Apple's keynote.

"Currently, we have placed a clear focus on further enhancing our iDrive user interface system and, as part of this development, will continue the seamless integration of Apple's ecosystem. Integral to these efforts will be an evaluation of how the latest innovations announced at WWDC can be integrated into our solutions," said BMW underlying its focus on its iDrive interface. 

Toyota which is the world's largest carmaker by volume had no comment. "We can't comment or speculate on future products at this time," said a spokesperson for the Japanese major. 

GM also had nothing to add alongside the likes of Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan and Honda. This is not normal for an Apple announcement. Their partnerships are usually very buttoned in but the launch of this interface which many point is a harbinger of the Apple car is proving to be the uneasy reflection Apple has with the automotive industry. For Apple, it will have more to reveal for the new CarPlay later this year.