Next version of Carplay Question

Question

Level 1

8 points

Next version of Carplay Question

Only used CarPlay in a rental but I liked it. I'm considering getting a new aftermarket stereo to replace the stock stereo in my current vehicle. I remember hearing that a big update to CarPlay is coming; would this affect my stereo purchase? CarPlay is all on the phone, isn't it? I would hate to buy a new stereo and a few months later Apple releases CarPlay 3 (or whatever it is) and it doesn't work on my chosen car stereo. I have the most recent phone (14 pro) and I'm thinking about Sony XAV-AX6000 - one of their most recent models. I realize no one can predict the future :)

With past big updates to CarPlay, did they also depend on the car stereo as well?

Posted on Feb 6, 2023 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

edclange

Level 5

4,992 points

Feb 6, 2023 6:30 PM in response to rmp911

Nobody here can answer that.

If there is a significant update to CarPlay, then most likely all current CarPlay features will continue to work in existing vehicles and head units at least as well as they do today. But it is entirely possibly that new features will only work in newer vehicles that have support for those features.

For example, and this is pure speculation: In my 2020 Ford F-350, CarPlay is not able to display the current outside temperature or adjust climate controls. If Apple were to add those capabilities to a new version of CarPlay, I highly doubt that they would suddenly appear and work perfectly in my vehicle. But everything that works today (navigation, music playback, etc.) should continue to work.

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Answer 2

rmp911 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2023 11:58 AM in response to edclange

Thanks for your help :) In your scenario, it looks like if you can't get the data it would be because of your vehicle though, right? If it doesn't have a thermometer, then CarPlay won't be able to read that data to display that - that makes sense.

I called Apple yesterday and they said it was all about the phone. I think that's mostly true - in many aftermarket setups there's a module that interfaces with the steering wheel controls. You would lose all of them when the stereo is replaced if you don't have this module that allows the stereo to talk to the car's computer. If anything, the module may need to be upgraded to take advantage of new features. Time to talk to them! Thanks again for your help.

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