Where Did CarPlay 2 Go? The Great Absence from Apple Events September 10, 2024 5

Imagine getting into your car and seeing your iPhone take control of not just the center screen, but the entire dashboard. Sound like science fiction? Well, that’s exactly what Apple promised with CarPlay 2, the next generation of its in-car software. But there’s a small problem: Despite the promise, CarPlay 2 Seems to Have Disappeared From the Radar.

In 2022, Apple made headlines by announcing this revolutionary version of CarPlay, promising to extend its technology beyond the central infotainment screen to the instrument cluster and other displays in the car. The Cupertino company even stated on its website that The first car models with this feature will debut in 2024.However, it’s September now and CarPlay 2 is not showing up.

Apple’s latest event passed without any mention of CarPlay 2, leaving many tech enthusiasts and drivers with a big question mark. What happened to this long awaited software?

The truth is that CarPlay 2 has had a rockier road than expected. Many automakers don’t seem thrilled about the idea of ​​handing over control of their screens to Apple. Mercedes-Benz, which was initially included in Apple’s presentation, then backed down. CEO Ola Källenius put it bluntly: “Give the entire cabin to someone else? The answer is no.”

All is not lost, however. Porsche and Aston Martin have committed to working with Apple on the next generation of CarPlay. But they, too, seem to be going visual: Porsche hasn’t released any information about a launch date, and Aston Martin is turning to Apple for any news.

Apple appears to have at least partially grasped the concerns of automakers. At its WWDC conference this summer, the company showed videos illustrating how Automakers will be able to retain some control over the interface thanks to a feature called “end-to-end user interface.”. This will allow, for example, the display of driver assistance system characteristics or the car’s rear-view camera, even if CarPlay “controls” the screens.

But it’s not just about design. On the technical side, the new CarPlay will need to integrate more deeply with the car’s software, accessing information like tire pressure and climate control. It’s a tall order, and may explain some of the delay. Then there are those who have decided to do their own thing. Last year, General Motors announced that its cars would use its own operating system, ditching both CarPlay and its rival Android Auto.

So where does all this leave us? CarPlay 2 appears to be in a technological rut, caught between Apple’s ambitions and the resistance of car makers. With just three months left in 2024, time is running out to deliver on its promised launch this year.