The first car models running the new-generation CarPlay are projected to see daylight later this year, but until this happens, carmakers should look at Porsche and learn a very important lesson about how they can make the most of Apple's in-car experience.
The 2024 Cayenne offers the most advanced CarPlay integration to date, all with the help of a set of tools almost nobody has heard about.
Apple offers a so-called Automaker toolkit, allowing car manufacturers to bypass some CarPlay restrictions, offer a custom user interface, and develop features that don't rely on the pre-designed templates created by the company.
The toolkit is there, but almost no carmaker has put it to work until now. Porsche did it with the 2024 Cayenne and is also planning to bring it to other models. The German company used the My Porsche App to offer more advanced functionality on CarPlay, including support for adjusting the ambient lights and the climate control system.
The app is extremely easy to use on CarPlay, offering a tile-based UI, which somehow reminds me of the good old Windows Phone. The tiles offer one-tap access to all features, so you can control everything from the infotainment screen without leaving the CarPlay interface.
You might wonder why Porsche chose CarPlay and didn't release something similar for Android users. The answer is as simple as it is painful. Google isn't offering a toolkit to allow the integration of such capabilities on Android Auto.
Photo: Porsche
Cyril Dorsaz, principal product manager at Porsche Digital, recently explained in an interview that the lack of the necessary toolkit makes it impossible for the carmaker to bring similar capabilities to Android Auto, so Porsche had to stick with CarPlay. Additionally, investing in an Android solution didn't make much sense in the first place, Dorsaz says, as most Porsche owners use iPhones. The Android adoption in the Porsche customer base is very low, with Apple's iPhone dominating the mobile space for drivers choosing the German brand.
Porsche still offers Android Auto in its cars. Android Auto debuted with the release of the sixth-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, with several models, including the 911, Cayenne, Panamera, and Taycan receiving wired support in 2021. All Porsche models support Android Auto wireless since 2022.
Google offers more capabilities and deeper integration into the vehicle, including support for the features Porsche brought to CarPlay as part of Android Automotive. Compared to Android Auto, Android Automotive is a stand-alone operating system that powers the infotainment system. Android Automotive runs at the hardware level without needing a smartphone and connects Google's services to vehicle functions, such as the climate control system and battery management.
For example, Google Maps can read the existing battery range and suggest charging stops whenever the battery drops below a certain level. It can also monitor the range and reconfigure a route to include charging stations if it determines that the battery level does not allow the vehicle to reach the configured destination. Google Assistant also benefits from deeper integration into the vehicle, allowing the driver to control more systems, including the air conditioning, with voice commands.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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