Image credit: Apple.

Apple promised a game-changing CarPlay experience in 2024, but it didn’t arrive.

Where is it?

Over two years have passed since Apple announced its next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022. Apple’s website still says that it will be arriving on cars in 2024, however 2024 has come and gone without any rollout. This delay only begs the question: What has happened to Apple’s next-gen CarPlay?

Screenshot from Apple’s website.

What was promised

Apple’s next-gen CarPlay was designed to reimagine car screen technology. It promised:

  • Deep integration with vehicle controls.
  • Support of multiple displays.
  • Customisable widgets tailored to specific car models and automaker’s brand.

Previews showcased seamless control over climate settings, real-time dashboard data, and navigation tools- all wrapped in Apple’s sleek and intuitive interface. The update promised to unify car dashboard and screen experiences, creating a seamless infotainment experience.

Aside from incremental changes, such as updated navigation directions appearing in instrument clusters of select Polestar, Porsche, and Lincoln, the grand vision remains unrealised. Even cars like the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, which feature expansive dashboard screens seemingly tailor-made for the new CarPlay still lack the promised functionality.

Project abandoned or is it still a work in progress?


Speculation about the delay now points to potential roadblocks:

  1. Resistance from automakers

Apple has faced reluctance from car manufacturers who are unwilling to give up control of their vehicle systems in favour of Apple’s software. For instance, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius stated that Apple will not take over all of its car screens. This hesitation reflects a broader challenge: automakers want to retain ownership of the driving experience rather than cede control to Apple’s tech.

  1. Technical hurdles

Unlike a typical software update, next-gen CarPlay requires deep hardware and software integration, making it only available to new vehicles that adopt this. This means existing car models cannot simply use the system, limiting its ability to reach the market

  1. Shifting priorities at Apple?

Apple has reportedly abandoned its elusive Apple Car project. Failing to respond to media inquiries about Apple CarPlay throughout 2024 has fuelled concerns that it may have met the same fate as the car.

Despite these doubts, there are glimmers of hope. Redesigned icons appeared in iOS 18.2, launched in late November, suggesting that Apple hasn’t completely abandoned the project. The dashboard-spanning screens in cars like the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus indicates that some manufacturers are keeping the door open for Apple’s vision.

Waiting for the green light

Apple’s next-gen CarPlay promised to redefine the future of in-car technology. Yet, Apple may be at a standstill when it comes to bridging tech and automotive worlds. Whether delayed or derailed, one thing is clear: the world is still waiting for Apple’s next move.

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