Apple CarPlay is a popular infotainment feature for iPhone users. It conveniently brings a user’s maps, music, and more to the screen in the car in a familiar interface. Now, Apple has introduced CarPlay Ultra, which takes over more of a car’s screens and functions. CarPlay Ultra integrates with a car’s digital gauge cluster in addition to its central infotainment screen, and it can control more of a car’s functions like HVAC controls and performance settings.
GM is infamously phasing out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its EVs, but these features are still common in ICE-powered GM models. CarPlay Ultra will likely come to ICE-powered GM models at some point, but it won’t come to GM EVs unless The General reverses its position on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay unavailability in its electric models.
At its launch, Apple CarPlay Ultra is available in the U.S. and Canada exclusively in Aston Martin models. It can be installed via an update on existing models with the newest iteration of Aston Martin’s infotainment system. Apple says Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have committed to putting CarPlay Ultra in future models.
“iPhone users love CarPlay, and it has transformed how people connect with their vehicles. With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent,” Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Bob Borchers said. “This next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, while deeply integrating with the car’s systems and showcasing the unique look and feel of each automaker. We are excited to kick off the rollout of CarPlay Ultra with Aston Martin – and this is just the beginning, with more automakers on the way.”
We’ve reported extensively on GM’s controversial decision to not put Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its EVs, a decision The General has doubled down on when asked about it. “We are not shipping devices with just monitors; we’re not a monitor company,” GM Senior Vice President of Software and Services Product Management, Program Management and Design, Baris Cetinok told The Verge last year. “We’re building beautifully designed, complete thoughts and complete convictions. We say, ‘This car is designed to do the following things awesomely.'”
Although GM has stuck to its guns so far, we think there’s a good chance it will reverse this unpopular decision based on consumer demand. A whopping 87 percent of you said in our poll that not having these connectivity features is a dealbreaker. These features get more important to drivers every year that they’re on the market, and they’re expected to be part of a new car’s user interface. CarPlay Ultra could make iPhone users even more insistent on the smartphone integration feature when considering their next car.
Comments
So we’ve reached the point where your choice of phone type determines your next vehicle? This can’t get much worse, really.
It took Apple three years to release this, and now they get their claws even further into your vehicle? No wonder GM is getting rid of CarPlay.
The only “smarter, safer” way to use a phone while driving is hands-free ONLY. And even that has limits: the conversation asking Siri to adjust the HVAC should be pure gold.
Ignorant take. GM is getting rid of Carplay/Android Auto because they are partnering with Google for infotainment as has been announced and reported on widely. Did you read that? “Partnering” is synonymous with “sharing”. In the future GM is selling all of it’s users’ data to Google via it’s native infotainment. You think the recent OnStar data lawsuit was just some mistake? No. It is what GM is doing going forward. They are all in on data farming and Carplay/Android Auto don’t fit their business model.
This is another example of GM telling the consumer what they should want. They need to go bankrupt again (and not get bailed out).
“Partnering” in this industry is synonymous with “Having the other folks do the work for you”. And ignorant would be expecting different next time from a sputtering Apple.
GM isn’t in the custom vehicle business. One has as much choice in the infotainment system as in the transmission: none. And don’t see many customers storming off in a huff there…
Android system is different than Android auto or Car play. This new version of Car play means that Apple had a part in designing the actuall computer system. Apple is not open source like Android is. Gm is not going to have either of them in their cars. So you can use what ever phone you need. I also have seen where not having either is no big deal. Things still work fine it just intergrates with the car and seems do everything without having a second interface. Third party software is the biggest issue people are having with their cars.
“Hey Siri, turn the temperature up to 72 degrees.”
“Rerouting to nearest Buc-ee’s. Please make a U turn.”
All I need are 4 properly inflated tires and off I go.
No Car Play I’m not buying you car.
No CarPlay… back to Fords…
How about just getting your in house connected maps to work with your vehicle….love my HUD and DIC displays of directions/turns, but doesn’t work at all with the connected maps app, only the native gps that’s now multiple years out of date.
” Baris Cetinok told The Verge last year. “We’re building beautifully designed, complete thoughts and complete convictions. We say, ‘This car is designed to do the following things awesomely.’” Hmmm really?!? Tell that to all the people who need new transmission valve bodies, new 6.2 liter engines, new lifters, etc. etc .etc. // The GM Big Wigs are clueless to the real world, which is the way it is in most companies and Govt.
Mary should resign from her position because of this.
Several automakers have already declined to adopt CarPlay Ultra, including BMW, Toyota, Stellantis, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and others. Automakers are unwilling to grant Apple greater control, especially considering the millions they invest in software development. Aston Martin, however, has consistently ranked near the bottom in infotainment software, so adopting CarPlay Ultra could benefit them significantly.
Mercedes should consider it. Their software is unfathomable garbage.
No CarPlay not in my driveway!
After a lifetime of driving GM vehicles, I am now driving an electric Cadillac, and the user interface and experience is second to none! I’m no techie, but this car and the experience is a dream. Very impressed by every aspect of the ownership/driving experience. Even the SuperCruise is leaps and bounds better than the SuperCruise in my XT6. They’ve done a terrific job here.
First thing I did with my car was disabled carplay, and then turned off of all OnStar telematic data collection. 90% of the time I like Android Auto, but would certainly welcome Android on board if it was uon powerful hardware and routinely updated! With the option for $3 a month XM, I recently resubscribed and I will say that the integration needs to be improved, as I hate not being able to control my audio more fluidly between Android Auto and factory system. The lack of/or inclusion of either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay will in no way affect my purchase unless CarPlay is the only option at which point I will not buy the car!
The GM/Google interface is garbage. In my 2024 Z06, I only had 30 days of service before I had to pay to make navigation work! On a $185K vehicle I have to pay a monthly subscription after 30 days to use the navigation option?! No thanks. Why in the hell do I need to pay so GM can sell my data to Google? My 2024 AT4X-HD and 2024 Denali 3500 Ultimate came with 3 years of the Google factory navigation but I only use Car Play.
GM’s infotainment systems are not more functional than Car Play. If they get rid of Car Play in ICE vehicles, I will be shopping other brands which I do not do currently.
CarPlay is garbage. I consistently get connectivity issues with my vehicle not recognizing my iPhone when I plug it in and sometimes I get a bug where I don’t have a cursor when I try to navigate through my apps.
I can understand why GM is booting Carplay. GM, and other auto makers, develop these new cars and the software that allows drivers to operate them. Then Apple, who dropped out of the EV business, jumps in to hijack the information screens. If CarPlay bugs out, the driver will blame the car maker, not Apple. Auto companies that don’t invest in their car’s software will be the ones liking CarPlay and Android Auto.