Once again, Apple held its big September event without saying a word about the next generation of CarPlay, which was eagerly awaited by fans of the brand with the apple. Announced with great fanfare in 2022, CarPlay 2 was supposed to revolutionize the driving experience by extending to all screens on the dashboard. But two years later, still nothing. What’s going on with this project?
CarPlay 2, an ambitious vision that is slow to materialize
Let’s recall that Apple had unveiled its futuristic vision of CarPlay in June 2022 during WWDC. The idea was to no longer limit itself to the central infotainment screen, but to also invest in the screens of the meters, the air conditioning and even the passenger. A deep integration that requires close collaboration with car manufacturers.
And that may be where the problem lies. While Porsche and Aston Martin have confirmed their partnership with Apple, others like Mercedes have expressed their reluctance to give up so much control over the design of their interfaces. Despite Apple’s efforts to reassure by offering customization options, skepticism seems to persist.
Long-awaited updates
Another concern is the lack of new features for the current CarPlay and Apple Maps. While Google is rolling out improvements to Android Auto and pushing its Android Automotive in-car system, Apple seems to be lagging behind. Even the detailed city view promised for Maps hasn’t been updated in nearly a year.
This silence and repeated delays are troubling. Could Apple be losing its interest in the automobile, especially since the abandonment of the Apple Car project? This is what some analysts fear. However, with the end of the Apple Car, one could have expected, on the contrary, an increased focus on software and services for the car.
What future for CarPlay?
Despite these gray areas, let’s remain hopeful. Apple may hold another event in October or November where CarPlay 2 will finally be in the spotlight. The company likes to involve partners from other industries, so car manufacturers could have their moment of glory there.
But be careful not to disappoint. If the first CarPlay 2 cars arrive without Apple making a big deal about it, it could be seen as an admission of failure. At a time when competition is intensifying, Apple has no interest in giving the impression of abandoning this growing market.
In the meantime, CarPlay continues to seduce many motorists and developers with its ease of use. Proof that despite Apple’s procrastination, the potential is there. Let’s hope that the brand will be able to make it a reality with CarPlay 2, before it’s too late. The coming months will be decisive for the future of Apple on our roads.
