Apple has demonstrated the customization opportunities offered by the next generation of its CarPlay system due in 2024. According to CarBuzz, Porsche and Aston Martin will be among the first brands to get the upgrade.
The new CarPlay can be linked to all in-car displays and not just the infotainment screen in the middle of the dash. Apple claims it has gone through the pain of developing a custom UI for every car manufacturer on the list, taking care to follow the brand guidelines in each case.
For instance, the current Aston Martin instrument cluster is composed of two digital gauges in AM brand colors separated by a little window. The Porsche dash has three recessed gauges surrounded by the company’s signature Pepita pattern usually found on the seat trim. Both the Cayenne and the Panamera will get their CarPlay upgrade next year to enable passengers in the front seat to interact with the infotainment UI from their own display. Aston Martin will get it on the DB12 first.
Judging by the last year’s announcements, the supported brand list will eventually be expanded to include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, JLR, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo. Apple emphasizes that no in-car data will be permanently stored on the owner’s iPhones.