Your Thoughts on Apple CarPlay?

[jyl]

Do you have access to it, use it, not use it, won't buy a car without it, don't care either way, etc?

Article on whyGM is dropping CarPlay compatibility
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-05-01/will-gm-regret-kicking-apple-carplay-off-the-dashboard

[Steve Carlton]

A lot of people love it. I've got it/had it. I like it because I can put my phone's navigation on the car's screen. Other than that, it kind of elbows out other functions unless you go through CarPlay itself.

[MBAtarga]

I just installed a carplay adapter in my 997.2 so that I can use my iPhone navigation, music library, and actual phone functionality.

I love it.

[911boost]

Hate it.

One of the reasons I really like my 2021 Land Cruiser is because it doesn't have it.

[GH85Carrera]

My wife ordered her Macan with Apple Car play. No factory GPS nagivation system that needs expensive upgrades each year.

Just plug the phone in, and the display for the phone in on the dash. It is great for going to places out of town. You can run the phone from the dash.

[jyl]

Don't myself have a car with CarPlay, but recently put an aftermarket head unit in wife's W211 that has CarPlay. Not a great implementation of CarPlay, because its a cheap Chinese head unit, and zero integration with the car itself, but even so she really likes it and so do I.

I really like using the same navigation, phone, messaging, music apps that I'm accustomed to, with a familiar interface, rather than learning some new automaker system that doesn't have my contacts, saved places, playlists, etc.

Would I nix a new car purchase if CarPlay isn't available? Probably not for a really unique, special car. For an appliance car up through a kind-of-cool-but-there-are-alternatives car, I probably would. For one thing, my wife would complain loudly if we spent the bucks that new cars cost and "It doesn't even have CarPlay?". For her, nav/entertainment and reverse camera are the #1 and #2 most important features of a car, with A/C #3, comfy seats #4, cupholders #5, and everything else starts at #10.

[Notagoodperson]

I won't drive a car without it. Rented cars in a number of countries and with CarPlay it's easy as pie. Just remember to take your USB cables with you (USB A and C as both can be found in various vehicles)

I just plug in while I am doing the pre-drive check, by the time I am ready to drive CarPlay is up and then just punch in the destination and off you go.

CarPlay also is better that Google in that it gives more driver friendly guidance, particularly lane guidance where it says stuff like "stay in the third lane from the right" whereas Google tends to do less of that.

Only issue is that CarPlay does pick some funky routes from time to time, particularly in response to traffic situations. Had one where it took me through a bunch of country roads to avoid a traffic jam, but I swear it was no faster with the slow speeds, stop signs and so forth but a whole lot more work. I now usually decline the alternate route...

DP

[jyl]

Yeah, I think Google Maps is better than Apple Maps in tricky route situations. I sometimes fire up both, check the route, then use Apple Maps for the actual turn by turn.

[bleucamaro]

I've had a couple cars with it (1 GM, 1 Ford). They also had Android Auto. For me, Android Auto was a MUCH better experience.

- Less connectivity issues.
- I prefer Google Maps to Apples maps/nav
- Interface was better
- Spotify worked better.

[NutmegCarrera]

I love car play.
Homogeneous nav and music regardless of my vehicle or a rental.
Better sound. Better integration of nav app of choice, music and phone.
I personally use Waze much of the time.
And - Waze tends to give you a heads up on location of police.

[Alan A]

Won’t buy a car without it.

[stevej37]

No use for it here.
I use my phone for any nav. and Sirius XM for music in my three cars.

[Chocaholic]

Always use it. Big mistake for GM to eliminate compatibility.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by jyl

Don't myself have a car with CarPlay, but recently put an aftermarket head unit in wife's W211 that has CarPlay. Not a great implementation of CarPlay, because its a cheap Chinese head unit, and zero integration with the car itself, but even so she really likes it and so do I.

I really like using the same navigation, phone, messaging, music apps that I'm accustomed to, with a familiar interface, rather than learning some new automaker system that doesn't have my contacts, saved places, playlists, etc.

Would I nix a new car purchase if CarPlay isn't available? Probably not for a really unique, special car. For an appliance car up through a kind-of-cool-but-there-are-alternatives car, I probably would. For one thing, my wife would complain loudly if we spent the bucks that new cars cost and "It doesn't even have CarPlay?". For her, nav/entertainment and reverse camera are the #1 and #2 most important features of a car, with A/C #3, comfy seats #4, cupholders #5, and everything else starts at #10.

Is there ANY new car that doesn't come pre-loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? I haven't seen one without it for many years...

Never used CarPlay (hate Apple and their products) but I love Android Auto. My 2015 Audi doesn't have it and that's the only "bell and whistle" I miss from new cars (hate all the other nanny systems).

[gacook]

Originally Posted by jyl

Yeah, I think Google Maps is better than Apple Maps in tricky route situations. I sometimes fire up both, check the route, then use Apple Maps for the actual turn by turn.

If you haven't already, try Waze. I think it's the best nav app out there.

[Deschodt]

Especially good when wireless... wired it's a pain in the butt most times for me. Fails a lot. But that's on the car manufacturer, not carplay. Would skip a car if it did not have it. Ironically Porsche retro fitted it for 996s with a new head unit but not 991.1s !

[Tobra]

could not care less

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by gacook

If you haven't already, try Waze. I think it's the best nav app out there.

I use Waze all the time. Good on alternate routes, tells you if someone has reported a cop ahead. Like a modern day CB radio.

[slow&rusty]

It's fantastic....period.

Embarrassing that somewhat newer high-end cars like Lexus from 2021 doesn't even offer it.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by stevej37

No use for it here.
I use my phone for any nav. and Sirius XM for music in my three cars.

Same here. Although I'm considering ditching Sirius.


Besides I refuse to have anything Apple....

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