CarPlay Ultra: These manufacturers could still get it

Some things take time: As early as the summer of 2022, Apple announced a significant revision of his vehicle integration for the iPhone with “CarPlay 2.0”. Originally it was supposed to appear “by the end of 2023”, but both this date and a fresh deadline for 2024 let Apple and its manufacturer partners pass. But now CarPlay 2.0, which Apple unusually renamed “CarPlay Ultra”, is finally here. The problem: There is currently exactly one brand that uses technology – and it is not in the mass business. It is Aston Martin – and only in the USA and Canada. But Apple already has other potential “Ultra” conversions in the pipeline. An overview.

Actually a long list

At Aston Martin, DB12, Vantage, Vanquish and SBX get the new CarPlay Ultra when you newly ordered. Existing vehicles of newer design also receive an update to CarPlay Ultra. A little later – probably in up to a year – CarPlay Ultra will then be rolled out internationally at Aston. Apple also named Hyundai and Kia from South Korea as other interested parties for the new iPhone vehicle integration-plus the Hyundai luxury brand Genesis, which is still rarely seen in Europe.

Porsche, who, as a long-time Apple partner, was originally supposed to be the first candidate for CarPlay 2.0, can still be heard. But the old list of manufacturers, which Apple 2022 had mentioned as interested in the new CarPlay, is much longer. This also includes Audi, Mercedes, Ford, Volvo, Renault, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Polestar, Acura (luxury brand for Honda for North America) and Lincoln.

Own car project stamped

But there was no information on this during yesterday’s CarPlay Ultra performance. Instead, Apple only called “many” manufacturers who are “added” over the next year “. So the new system remains exclusive – the Aston’s costs six -digit amounts. Mercedes also seems to have changed because the group fears that Apple could take over so important operating system with CarPlay Ultrathat you prefer to check yourself.

The central 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. Carplay Ultra is not a complete “Caros”, the group paid attention to that. Nevertheless, vehicle manufacturers are apparently hesitant. CarPlay Ultra needs an iPhone with iOS 18.5. Apple had stamped its own vehicle project after years of research.