Everything we learned from a week with Apple CarPlay Ultra

[PrudentOcean]

From https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/07/everything-we-learned-from-a-week-with-apple-carplay-ultra/

For the 2025 model year, Aston Martin's user interface took a major step forward across the lineup, with improvements to the physical controls and digital infotainment, as well as updated gauge cluster layouts. However, the big news dropped in the spring, when Aston and Apple announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of Apple's nearly ubiquitous automotive operating system.

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[RickDCMD]

I read somewhere that Porsche and other automakers signed out from Carplay ultra.

 

[robrain]

As of last month, Porsche specifically said they remain committed to it: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/25/porsche-reaffirms-carplay-ultra-plans/

The original interview was in the Financial Times which is behind a paywall.

 

[RunningOnSolar]

If this feature comes to the Macan and doesn’t require different hardware, we could get it. However, no guarantee. I bought my Macan hoping that it would show up prior to release, but knowing the business, I should have considered it too drastic a change to appear between announcement and release. What we have so far though is Apple Maps in the instrument cluster and good integration with the HUD. Not bad.

However, every model year release gives us the potential for software enhancements / fixes. It is in Porsche’s interest to have its cars on the latest software instead of battling known software defects in the user base.

The features that we might still get ranked in my order of importance are:
1. Adaptive Headlights (if you have LED matrix).
2. CarPlay Ultra
3. iPhone car keys

i would bet against getting any, but would happily lose that bet.

 

[PrudentOcean]

Given the lag that was mentioned I'm not convinced that I would even use it. I'm perfectly happy with the CarPlay we currently have.

CarPlay was on my must-have list when deciding on my current car. I'm perplexed why some auto makers are dead set against it. I know they want to control the entire architecture and user experience, but unless they can provide phone mirroring, I'm out.

 

[USMA81]

I’m just hoping we get updates of any type. I had an Audi Etron for two years and no updates were forthcoming. One owner on the Audi forum wondered if not updating software was Audi’s way of getting owners to trade up to the newest model.

The increased financial pressure on Porsche can’t be good for releasing frequent software updates for us. I’m hoping this will be proved wrong.

 

[Saj71]

I noticed on my test drive today that Waze shows in the instrument cluster, but Google Maps does not.

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