Apple rumored to be working on making CarPlay more useful
7th October, 2021 at 7:37 pm by Shreyaan
- Apple Car rumors have died down in recent months, but that doesn't mean the company has abandoned its automotive plans.
- According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is working on expanding CarPlay to be more than just an infotainment system.
- New CarPlay features could include controlling in-car A/C and speakers via CarPlay
Apple Car rumors have died down in recent months, but that doesn't mean the company has abandoned its automotive plans. According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is working on expanding CarPlay to be more than just an infotainment system.
The "IronHeart" project's goal is to expand CarPlay integrations so that you can control more of a vehicle's systems, settings, and sensors. A/C, climate control, speaker settings, seats and armrests, and the speedometer are all included. CarPlay currently connects your iPhone to your car's display to allow you to control things like music, see turn-by-turn navigation, and send messages hands-free while driving.
However, automakers would have to agree to the service's expansion. While most major automakers have supported CarPlay since its launch in 2014, granting more access to a car's key systems may be more than automakers are willing to accept. Apple introduced Car Key in iOS 14, for example, which allows you to unlock a compatible car using your phone or Apple Watch. The only cars that are currently compatible are BMW 2021 models.
One issue is that such a deal may appear to be lopsided in Apple's favor. Apple is able to make money without having to build a car, whereas automakers are forced to cede ground to Apple. One of the reasons why talks between Apple and Hyundai to build the so-called Apple Car fell through earlier this year was due to this type of imbalance. Hyundai was said to be uninterested in becoming Apple's carmaker because it would entail doing the "dirty work" while Apple profited.
Automakers, on the other hand, may not have a choice in the end, as Bloomberg pointed out. Apple's Wallet features were expanded in iOS 15 to include digital IDs, car keys, smart lock keys, and even verifiable vaccine cards. It's this kind of all-in-one convenience that makes losing your iPhone — or switching from iPhone — such a pain. (This is precisely what Apple desires.) If these features become popular, carmakers risk alienating customers by refusing to cooperate.
This one, like other hidden Apple projects, may never see the light of day. After all, we've been speculating about Project Titan for who knows how long, and even the most optimistic timelines place an Apple Car launch in 2024. Another factor is that Apple's car ambitions have recently taken a hit after several key figures in the company's automotive division left. Doug Field, who oversaw the entire Apple Car project for the past three years, was the most recent. Field abruptly left to become Ford's chief of advanced technology officer in September.
So, while it appears that Apple has its sights set on some sort of automotive presence, it may be a long, long time before we see any significant financial moves.
We developed our own custom comment system, Instant Reply, to deliver a tracker-free, fast and easy experience! No sign up required.