Car companies haven’t figured out if they’ll let Apple CarPlay take over | Hacker News Reader

Car companies haven’t figured out if they’ll let Apple CarPlay take over

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19 pointstosh15 comments

When watching the CarPlay part of the most recent Apple event, I was struck by Apple's current approach vs. Tesla's.

Apple wants to be the operating system for all cars/hardware (ala Microsoft Windows) and Tesla is trying to be the Apple of cars (integrated hardware+software).

Not a perfect comparison but if Apple dominates the entire industry, there will be space for a premium alternative (even if it's not Tesla).

CarPlay is a deciding factor why people buy certain cars.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/29/apple-carplay-massive-succes...

I personally don't get it. Besides Google Maps/Apple Maps and Waze, the apps I've used on CarPlay are terrible. Specifically SiriusXM and YouTube Music. I think these people think they want CarPlay because it seems like a big upgrade over their old car stereo - however once you start to actually use the platform (IMHO) it's not great. One of my vehicles has an average built in GPS, and my phone auto connects no CarPlay needed - it works great and the car interface (SirusXM) with touch screen and actual buttons is 100% easier to operate then the apps.

>Besides Google Maps/Apple Maps and Waze

You just hand waved the single biggest reason people want CarPlay. I will not buy a car without CarPlay because of Maps.

Yea, I agree with you. I pull out my MapQuest directions and everyone thinks I'm crazy. There's really nothing better than hard-copy directions because you have to truly know where you're going.

I don't really care though since I can barely hear them over my cassette tapes blaring through my sound-system and the wind blowing through my manual windows.

>> Besides Google Maps/Apple Maps and Waze

‘Besides search, why would anyone use Google?’

You can’t remove the headliner from a show and ask why people still come.

I drive a lot of rentals. The infotainment provided by every major car manufacturer is hot garbage. A car without CarPlay won’t be considered by me at all when making a purchase.

At least in my car, CarPlay is much, much better than the default infotainment interface. I don’t even have access to maps without carplay.

CarPlay is an absolute must for me for Maps/GPS. No other system I’ve used comes close. (I haven’t driven a Tesla).

Siri is also miles better than most in car voice systems including integrated Alexa.

I've driven a Tesla but haven't used carplay yet. Personally, I found the Tesla UI to be confusing. Lots of settings weirdly hidden in the menus, no physical controls have been kind of annoying, and lots of important bits of info are not easily readable.

Things like ETA are shown in super tiny, low contrast font and lane guidance only shows up ~30s before you need to take your exit.

In dash display of the OBS2 data in real time would be great. I wonder if that will ever be a thing.

Not exactly what you're after, but you can export data from your OBD2 port to something like home assistant[1]. Combined with an autoPi[2], you might be able to pull this off today if you really wanted to.

[1] - https://childof69.co.uk/ha-car-telemetry/ [2] - https://www.autopi.io/blog/build-a-raspberry-pi-touch-screen...

The auto industry has learned from the mistakes of the app industry. They absolutely will not let Apple dominate, because that's a Trojan Horse they can see coming.

Additionally, half of this country uses Android, which does not work with CarPlay, and doesn't work with the newly announced CarPlay OS. Automakers aren't going to shut themselves off from half of their potential buyers for Apple's benefit.

I know that German automotive is currently considering apple as it’s biggest threat.

There's no way Carplay gets all the screens. They'll throw drivers a bone and let them use carplay in a rectangular middle screen, without access to the instruments or controls. Car companies want to monetize these things!

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