Snapshot
- ‘Over the air’ (OTA) update coming for CarPlay
- Next-gen version of CarPlay also confirmed
- Update due by end of June, will occur wirelessly
Volvo and Polestar models running the Google-built Android Automotive infotainment system will at last gain connectivity for Apple CarPlay, the stablemate brands have confirmed this week.
(NOTE: The image above is a speculative rendering based on a portrait display in the Ford Mustang Mach-E, as shown below.)
The news comes hot on the heels of a huge CarPlay announcement at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week, where the tech giant revealed an upgrade which will – where allowed by car makers – ’take over’ a vehicle’s entire infotainment interface (as shown below).
Up to now, however, the use of Google’s Android Automotive as the base infotainment operating system in Polestar and new Volvo models has left iPhone users unable to run even the current, simpler version of CarPlay.
Thanks to an ‘over the air’ update due for Australian Polestar models at the end of June, Android Automotive will enable CarPlay, finally allowing iPhones to run on the centre display as intended.
Timing for Volvo models is less specific, with the brand’s local arm confirming only that it will land “in the next few weeks”.
Android Automotive running in the Polestar 2
Apple CarPlay running in a similar portrait orientation, in the Ford Mustang Mach-E (posted to Reddit by user Seaniau)
It’s unclear at this point if CarPlay connectivity will be wired or wireless, but the latter would seem likely.
Polestar has also confirmed it will offer the upgraded “next generation” of Apple CarPlay, although, as Apple confirmed yesterday, that update is not scheduled to hit iPhones until the end of 2023.
Related video
COMMENTS
Keyword: Polestar, Volvo adding Apple CarPlay in Australia