Holiday breaks are starting to kick off, when Apple and other companies tend to not make many new announcements. But there’s one big update we’re still expecting, according to Apple’s website: the arrival of the first next-gen CarPlay models.
Apple’s trend of year-end CarPlay announcements
It’s been a full year to the day since Apple fulfilled its promise to announce the first next-gen CarPlay vehicles before 2023 ended. Porsche and Aston Martin were those first two announced makers.
But now there’s another CarPlay-related promise still awaiting fulfillment. Apple’s website has said for a long while—and still says to this day—that the first next-gen CarPlay models would ‘arrive in 2024.’
Here we are, with very little time left in the year, and there’s been no update on that front yet.
Presumably, Porsche, Aston Martin, or perhaps another automaker is preparing to announce something alongside Apple before 2024 ends.
Or, what’s also possible is that the next-gen CarPlay launch has been delayed, and there’s been no update for Apple’s website just yet.
2024 deadline draws near, but there’s still time
I keep checking Apple’s CarPlay page expecting to see that little banner—‘First models arrive in 2024’—get updated to say 2025 instead, or ‘coming soon.’
So far though, nothing has formally changed.
But Apple still has time. Last year it took until December 20 for the next-gen CarPlay announcement. Maybe the company plans to keep us in suspense just a little bit longer this year.
Perhaps I’m being too optimistic, but the lack of an update should in theory be a good thing. It indicates there’s still an announcement expected.
What to expect from the next generation of CarPlay
As a refresher, here’s what next-gen CarPlay will bring, per Apple:
This next generation of CarPlay is the ultimate iPhone experience for the car. It provides content for all the driver’s screens including the instrument cluster. This ensures a cohesive design experience that is the very best of your car and your iPhone — with designs for each automaker that express your vehicle’s character and brand. Vehicle functions like radio and temperature controls are handled right from CarPlay. And personalization options ranging from widgets to selecting curated gauge cluster designs make it unique to the driver.
Even more details are available in our overview piece here.
Here’s hoping there’s more news to report on the CarPlay front very soon—and that it’s good news.
Do you expect the first next-gen CarPlay models to still arrive this year? Let us know in the comments.
Best CarPlay accessories
- Apple AirTag 4-pk for tracking your car (now only $69, down from $99)
- ESR MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- Anker USB-A to USB-C 6-foot cable
- FLYLEAD car charger with 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports
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