Would be nice if apple enables the ability to use wifi carplay and starlink connectivity. At the moment you have to have corded carplay when using wifi starlink... A bit annoying and going abck in time to 1990's. Surely there's a way to fix this issue.
Your infotainment system would be what is connected to StarLink, Leo, or to whatever other network upstream.
The iPhone would connect to that.
Various vehicles already have similar features, though with terrestrial network connections, and not (yet?) StarLink or Leo.
It is conceivable that something akin to StarLink or Leo could be integrated into a vehicle. But that’s currently something for the vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket infotainment vendors.
Based on a quick look, the StarLink High-Performance Dish or equivalent would probably be necessary here, and is (from what I can find) about 6 kg and requiring 100 to 150 watts of power, and seemingly priced around $2500 plus subscription.
Note: SpaceX StarLink and Subaru STARLINK are entirely different systems, with the latter being renamed.
Check with your preferred vehicle vendor.
Here's why...
An iPhone (or iPad) can have only one active WiFi connection.
Wireless CarPlay establishes an ad-hoc (i.e. "point-to-point") WiFi network between the iPhone and the Infotainment system. While this ad-hoc network is active, the iPhone cannot connect to another WiFi infrastructure network - such as a Starlink router. Bluetooth is initially used to establish the WiFi connection between the devices
By contrast, while using a wired CarPlay connection between your iPhone and the Infotainment system, the iPhone's WiFi connection is available - and can connect to an infrastructure WiFi network.
"Based on a quick look, the StarLink High-Performance Dish or equivalent would probably be necessary here, and is (from what I can find) about 6 kg and requiring 100 to 150 watts of power, and seemingly priced around $2500 plus subscription."
I believe that setup is more for a plane or commerical use. For personal use in boats (non-Maritime) & road vehicles it can be achieved using a Starlink mini ($250) on a roam plan, with a Starlink USB-C 20V/5A to cig adapter kit ($45). (I've tested this while driving and get typical speeds of 120+ Mbps down and 20+ Mbps up.) This setup works great for cellular dead zones, remote work, and camping.
Just guessing, but without using a USB cable to connect iPhone/Carplay, it would seem for Carplay to work totally wireless Apple would have to allow the head unit and iPhone to connect through Starlink/Leo wifi vs requiring a direct wifi link. ** (Disclaimer: RF and networking are not my specialty) **
The other options are to incorporate the ability to use Starlink/Leo in iPhone directly, or wait for all the cell carriers to incorporate it into their plans (currently very few).
The only way that could be possible would be to have a second WiFi radio in the phone. That would increase the size and weight and decrease the battery life.
I don't understand why you would need both unless you're in the middle of nowhere where you have no cellular data signal at all.
Apple is currently invested (20% ownership) in GlobalStar. It’s unlikely for StarLink to ever be offered natively. In the US StarLink has an exclusive relationship with T-Mobile. Have you explored your options with T-Mobile?
aussiewithbigtv wrote:
Would be nice if apple enables the ability to use wifi carplay and starlink connectivity. At the moment you have to have corded carplay when using wifi starlink... A bit annoying and going abck in time to 1990's. Surely there's a way to fix this issue.
Apple isn't here. This is a user to user only forum. Feedback to Apple goes here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple
Keep in mind that Starlink is not an Apple Service. And CarPlay relies on Bluetooth. Wifi isn't really required for CarPlay to work seamlessly.
neldridge202 wrote:
If CarPlay relies on Bluetooth, why is this a problem? I’m trying to figure out what to do now and it’s driving me nuts.
CarPlay uses WiFi.
What is it that's driving you nuts?
The OP is suggesting a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.
So it will probably be Leo to run natively on iPhone at some point since Amazon is currently looking to acquire GlobalStar. Project Kuiper has had some big delays! Either way I'm excited to see progress.
For me, in my area T-Moblie is not ideal, Verizon or AT&T sat offerings would be better.
Not that it would happen, but It makes you wonder if Tim and Elon made a phone together what it would look like. Maybe really level up the iPhone Pro 19 or save it for the 20? Bulletproof w/liquid glass and sat capabilites. Sorry for the rabbit hole. lol
Dirtrunner79 wrote:
Not that it would happen, but It makes you wonder if Tim and Elon made a phone together what it would look like. Maybe really level up the iPhone Pro 19 or save it for the 20? Bulletproof w/liquid glass and sat capabilites. Sorry for the rabbit hole. lol
Two words come to mind, slim and none. I can’t imagine any scenario in which Apple (no matter the CEO) would ever partner with Elon Musk and StarLink.
If CarPlay relies on Bluetooth, why is this a problem? I’m trying to figure out what to do now and it’s driving me nuts.
WiFi is required because of Bluetooth’s limited bandwidth. Bluetooth is principally used for pairing the devices, not for data.
SpaceX announced Starlink Mobile a couple of weeks after that post, as well.
Apple is unlikely to enter into an ownership/partnership with Amazon. Time will tell.
CarPlay integration with Starlink and Wi-Fi
