Photo: TacomaWorld
While The General believes Android Auto and CarPlay offered a limited experience and should, therefore, be left behind, the developer community has no intention of doing that. Fortunately, the number of apps joining the two ecosystems keeps growing, so we're getting new software and functionality regularly.
Living proof is OBD Fusion, one of the best solutions on the market to connect to an OBD2 scanner and access vehicle data from a mobile device.
If you never heard of OBD Fusion, it's time to check it out. The app works with most OBD2 scanners and allows you to generate full diagnostic reports, view driving information, create real-time dashboard displays with customizable gauges, access fuel economy information, check engine details, and read and clear fault codes.
Starting in the latest update, OBD Fusion also brings more functionality to CarPlay after previously enabling support for Apple's in-car experience in January.
Version 6.3.0, available from the App Store, allows users to view trouble codes on CarPlay. You must first configure your CarPlay settings from your smartphone (when not connected to the vehicle) from Settings > Preferences > CarPlay. However, it's worth knowing that you can't clear fault codes from CarPlay yet, so you can only view the error information (if any).
The CarPlay support landed in OBD Fusion in January with version 6.0 and included access to essential driving information from the infotainment screen. However, because CarPlay does not support real-time gauges, the app doesn't support dashboards.
More developers bringing their apps to CarPlay is good news for Apple, especially as the iPhone maker has become more committed to software and services as part of its automotive strategy. Previously, Apple's expansion to the automotive space also included an electric vehicle, but the project has already been abandoned. Without a vehicle, Apple's plan now comes down to Apple Maps and CarPlay, with the latter also projected to receive a major update later this year with the debut of the second generation.
CarPlay 2.0 will debut on Aston Martin and Porsche cars in 2024, but Apple has already teased other major announcements, promising a long list of carmakers that'll adopt the new experience. Ford, Honda, and others are expected to install CarPlay 2.0 in their cars, though everybody has remained tight-lipped on this front so far. Apple is expected to discuss the CarPlay 2.0 plans at WWDC next month, especially as the first cars running the new experience are likely around the corner.
The new-generation CarPlay will still require an iPhone to run, but it's unclear if it'll support all apps running on the first version. However, CarPlay-enabled vehicles won't get the new-generation experience, as new hardware is required. This is why Apple works with carmakers to install the updated platform, letting them customize the look and feel to retain brand identity.
If you never heard of OBD Fusion, it's time to check it out. The app works with most OBD2 scanners and allows you to generate full diagnostic reports, view driving information, create real-time dashboard displays with customizable gauges, access fuel economy information, check engine details, and read and clear fault codes.
Starting in the latest update, OBD Fusion also brings more functionality to CarPlay after previously enabling support for Apple's in-car experience in January.
Version 6.3.0, available from the App Store, allows users to view trouble codes on CarPlay. You must first configure your CarPlay settings from your smartphone (when not connected to the vehicle) from Settings > Preferences > CarPlay. However, it's worth knowing that you can't clear fault codes from CarPlay yet, so you can only view the error information (if any).
The CarPlay support landed in OBD Fusion in January with version 6.0 and included access to essential driving information from the infotainment screen. However, because CarPlay does not support real-time gauges, the app doesn't support dashboards.
More developers bringing their apps to CarPlay is good news for Apple, especially as the iPhone maker has become more committed to software and services as part of its automotive strategy. Previously, Apple's expansion to the automotive space also included an electric vehicle, but the project has already been abandoned. Without a vehicle, Apple's plan now comes down to Apple Maps and CarPlay, with the latter also projected to receive a major update later this year with the debut of the second generation.
CarPlay 2.0 will debut on Aston Martin and Porsche cars in 2024, but Apple has already teased other major announcements, promising a long list of carmakers that'll adopt the new experience. Ford, Honda, and others are expected to install CarPlay 2.0 in their cars, though everybody has remained tight-lipped on this front so far. Apple is expected to discuss the CarPlay 2.0 plans at WWDC next month, especially as the first cars running the new experience are likely around the corner.
The new-generation CarPlay will still require an iPhone to run, but it's unclear if it'll support all apps running on the first version. However, CarPlay-enabled vehicles won't get the new-generation experience, as new hardware is required. This is why Apple works with carmakers to install the updated platform, letting them customize the look and feel to retain brand identity.
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