In his obsession to control every corner of the car, Apple has crashed into the wall. The new carplay has it raw

In his wwdc 2022, Apple announced to Bombo and Shaw the New carplay generation. One that left aside the simple concept of moving the iPhone system to a small central screen, to bet on a complete solution in which control of practically every element related to the electronics of the car was taken.

What is Carplay Ultra. Until now, Apple Carplay It worked exactly like Android Auto: you connected the iPhone to the car and access a simplified version of iOS, a kind of application pitcher adapted to the car. Allowed to use apps like Apple Maps, Google MapsTelephone, messages or spotify projected on the vehicle screen, but without intervening in the car system itself.

With Carplay Ultra, The approach changes radically. We no longer talk about a simple execution of apps: the iPhone takes total control of the car interface. From the instrument frame to air conditioning, native navigation, vehicle levels or battery status. Everything is integrated into a unified visual environment and completely designed by Apple. It is, in practice, an Apple software layer that replaces the manufacturer’s interface.

The delays. To Apple It has cost three years to materialize carplay ultraand soon you will understand why. Announced in 2022, and after years of silence, Apple Carplay Ultra was officially announced on May 16, 2025 in the most discreet way possible, With a press release.

For 1%. Exclusivity remains one of Apple’s main values, but orient the launch of Carplay Ultra to a brand that represents less than 1% of the official market began to make the eyebrow archeish. Carplay Ultra was first integrated into Aston Martin, with the promise that he would later reach brands such as Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, three manufacturers that belong to the same business group.

Interestingly, there was no trace of the manufacturers mentioned in 2022. Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Ford, Lincoln, Audi, Jaguar, Acura, Volvo, Honda, Renault, Infinity and Polestar. Just Porsche has confirmed that he will adopt Apple’s software in some of his cars, Without drawing a specific roadmap.

The wall. Many of the manufacturers that Apple mentioned in their presentation have shown their refusal to implement Apple Carplay Ultra, as they collect Financial Times sources. Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, Polestar and Renault are some of the manufacturers that have opposed the Apple system.

It is something that we advanced in 2022, Apple Carplay Ultra is a Trojan horse.

This was Apple’s goal with Carplay. At the moment it is only in Aston Martin, which did not even appear on the list.

(Almost) nothing to do against manufacturers and google. That an operating system takes control of the infotainment system of a car is no drama. Android Automotive He has been doing it for almost a decade. The approach problem is that Apple Carplay Ultra is conceived since its birth as an intruder, not as a native system.

• In Android Automotive, Google and the manufacturer close a pact: Google puts the car software and the manufacturer is forgotten. There is no need for the user to connect the mobile, the software is native.
• With Carplay Ultra, the manufacturer has to continue developing its software platform. But by connecting the iPhone, the control to Apple is completely yielded.

Carplay Ultra is a stranger, a system that is accessed by connecting the iPhone and replaces the efforts that the manufacturer previously made to develop its own platform.

The future. The three years of delays and integration in Aston Martin make it clear that the adoption of Carplay Ultra is far from massive. Here the key will be in the agreements, some who have not transcended and in which the position against manufacturers willing to give full control to Apple does not seem favorable for the American company.

Meanwhile, Android Automotive continues with its expansion, having even reached the world of two wheels by Ktm or Japanese like Honda. Groups like Stellantis too They have set aside former partners like Amazon to bet on Google and integrate Android into their fleets.

Image | Apple

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