Apple said Monday that its next-generation CarPlay system will power the entire vehicle instrument cluster, the next step in its battle against Android Automotive, Google’s vehicle operating system, to dominate the charts. worldwide.
The increasing size and number of screens inside vehicles gives the iPhone a chance to play a larger role, regardless of the screen size or the shape of its design. Deeper integration into the vehicle and the search for more ways to incorporate applications and services creates endless possibilities for automakers and Apple, as well as for third-party drivers and services.
The two tech giants have long competed for valuable data generated inside cars, which can be cut, diced and sold for endless business opportunities. Google last month announced updates to Android Auto to accommodate larger screens by allowing split screens.
Apple’s announcement comes as more carmakers start rolling out updates over the air instead of with hardware and also triangulating with home smart devices.
Most new cars are compatible with Apple and Google systems. Apple said it is working with automakers around the world to implement the new CarPlay in vehicles and will announce the first models by the end of next year.
The Android Automotive operating system should not be confused with Android Auto, which, like CarPlay, is a secondary interface that sits on top of an operating system and is based on the user’s smartphone. Android Automotive OS is based on its open source mobile operating system running on Linux. But instead of using smartphones and tablets, Google modified it so that it could be used in cars.
The updated CarPlay system will include content across all dashboard screens for a more “unified and consistent” experience for drivers and passengers. Its screens will take care of the entire instrument cluster to provide information on speed, climate control and other diagnostics.
“This next generation of CarPlay looks like it’s made specifically for your car,” Emily Schubert, senior director of experienced car engineering at Apple, said at the 2022 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday.
Apple also said the new system will allow drivers to customize the CarPlay experience using colors, backgrounds, and layouts for screens, as well as different themes and styles for the instrument cluster.
Both Apple and Google have been finding more ways to leverage the driver experience for most of the last decade. Apple launched CarPlay on the Ferrari FF in September 2014, securing an edge in the luxury car segment. Android entered the market nine months later, starting with the Hyundai Sonata and rapidly expanding to other car brands.