Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Honda
CarPlay has already become a must-have system for new-car buyers, with Apple claiming that nearly eight in ten customers want the platform or are ready to drop the purchase and look elsewhere.
However, the popularity of wireless CarPlay has increased significantly lately, especially because of its convenience. Drivers don't need cables to run CarPlay, so they can keep the iPhone in their pocket or backpack, with the in-car experience automatically loaded when they turn on the engine.
Now, Honda has finally received the message and decided to offer a retrofit that enables wireless CarPlay in some older cars.
The carmaker has been installing wired CarPlay in its cars for many years, but according to a recent report, it plans to release an update to enable wireless connectivity in the Accord. The first Accord that received CarPlay was launched in 2016, but the report claims only the 2018 to 2022 models will receive the update to enable wireless CarPlay.
The juicy details are currently missing, so if you wonder when you can get the update and how much it'll cost, these are questions that Honda will probably answer later this year when the retrofit goes live. Meanwhile, the carmaker says it'll release a website in the coming days to let interested Accord owners book an appointment at a dealership where the update can be installed. The website will likely reveal more details about the update, including its cost.
The update can only be installed by a Honda dealership, though it's unclear if it'll also be enabled for other Honda and Acura models.
Meanwhile, customers who want wireless CarPlay in their Hondas can turn to third-party adapters that convert the wired connection into a no-cord experience. CarLinkit is the most popular name in the world, though the market already includes several others based on the same approach. Not long ago, AAWireless, the maker of a popular wireless Android Auto adapter, confirmed it's adding CarPlay support out of the box on an upgraded model, with the release to take place later this year.
These devices connect to the vehicle via the USB port and to the iPhone using Bluetooth, allowing the infotainment screen and the smartphone to communicate wirelessly. They can remain connected to the car permanently, so when you start the engine, CarPlay launches automatically without user input.
I've been using wireless CarPlay for many years already, and I can't imagine going back to wires, as the extra convenience makes running Apple's in-car experience substantially more convenient. However, despite wireless CarPlay helping you ditch cables, you'll need to keep a cord around, as the connection could hamper your phone's battery life. During long trips, you might still want to plug in your phone for an extra charge, using a cable on the dashboard unless your car has wireless charging.
Now, Honda has finally received the message and decided to offer a retrofit that enables wireless CarPlay in some older cars.
The carmaker has been installing wired CarPlay in its cars for many years, but according to a recent report, it plans to release an update to enable wireless connectivity in the Accord. The first Accord that received CarPlay was launched in 2016, but the report claims only the 2018 to 2022 models will receive the update to enable wireless CarPlay.
The juicy details are currently missing, so if you wonder when you can get the update and how much it'll cost, these are questions that Honda will probably answer later this year when the retrofit goes live. Meanwhile, the carmaker says it'll release a website in the coming days to let interested Accord owners book an appointment at a dealership where the update can be installed. The website will likely reveal more details about the update, including its cost.
The update can only be installed by a Honda dealership, though it's unclear if it'll also be enabled for other Honda and Acura models.
Meanwhile, customers who want wireless CarPlay in their Hondas can turn to third-party adapters that convert the wired connection into a no-cord experience. CarLinkit is the most popular name in the world, though the market already includes several others based on the same approach. Not long ago, AAWireless, the maker of a popular wireless Android Auto adapter, confirmed it's adding CarPlay support out of the box on an upgraded model, with the release to take place later this year.
These devices connect to the vehicle via the USB port and to the iPhone using Bluetooth, allowing the infotainment screen and the smartphone to communicate wirelessly. They can remain connected to the car permanently, so when you start the engine, CarPlay launches automatically without user input.
I've been using wireless CarPlay for many years already, and I can't imagine going back to wires, as the extra convenience makes running Apple's in-car experience substantially more convenient. However, despite wireless CarPlay helping you ditch cables, you'll need to keep a cord around, as the connection could hamper your phone's battery life. During long trips, you might still want to plug in your phone for an extra charge, using a cable on the dashboard unless your car has wireless charging.
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