CarPlay Ultra: These manufacturers could still get it
Apple has finally managed to present its revised CarPlay. Vehicle coverage is still small, but that could change.
Air conditioning control with CarPlay Ultra: soon it will no longer have to be an Aston Martin.
(Image: Apple)
Some things just take time: back in summer 2022, Apple announced a significant overhaul of its vehicle integration for the iPhone, with “CarPlay 2.0”. It was originally due to be released “by the end of 2023”, but Apple and its manufacturer partners missed both this deadline and a new deadline for 2024. But now CarPlay 2.0, which Apple has unusually renamed “CarPlay Ultra”, is finally here. The problem is that there is currently just one brand that uses the technology – and it is not in the mass market. It is Aston Martin – and only in the USA and Canada. But Apple already has other potential “Ultra” converters in the pipeline. An overview.
Actually, a long list
At Aston Martin, the DB12, Vantage, Vanquish and SBX will initially receive the new CarPlay Ultra when ordered new. Existing newer vehicles will also receive an update to CarPlay Ultra. Somewhat later – probably in up to a year – CarPlay Ultra will then also be rolled out internationally at Aston. Apple also named Hyundai and Kia from South Korea – plus the Hyundai luxury brand Genesis, which is still rarely seen in Europe, as other interested parties for the new iPhone vehicle integration.
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There is still no word from Porsche, which as a long-standing Apple partner was originally supposed to be the first installation candidate for CarPlay 2.0. However, the old list of manufacturers that Apple had named as interested in the new CarPlay in 2022 is much longer. It also includes Audi, Mercedes, Ford, Volvo, Renault, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Polestar, Acura (Honda's luxury brand for North America) and Lincoln.
Own car project scrapped
However, no details were given at yesterday's CarPlay Ultra presentation. Instead, Apple only mentioned “many” manufacturers that will join “over the next year”. So the new system remains exclusive – the Astons cost six-figure sums. Mercedes also seems to have changed its mind because the company fears that Apple could take over the all-important operating system with CarPlay Ultra, which it prefers to control itself.
The key difference between CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is that Apple controls more systems in the vehicle – such as the instrument cluster, air conditioning and other on-board systems. However, CarPlay Ultra is not a complete “carOS”, as the company has taken care to ensure. Nevertheless, vehicle manufacturers are apparently hesitant. CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone with iOS 18.5. Apple had scrapped its vehicle project after years of research.
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