Tesla may have taken an important step towards including a feature in its vehicles that it has been opposing for a long time. According to Bloomberg, based on sources knowledgeable about the subject, the company has started testing CarPlay, Apple’s in-car entertainment and connection system, in its own vehicles. The fact that internal testing has begun means that Apple CarPlay integration may be available in the coming months. However, working on the feature does not yet guarantee that it will be released for sure.
Until now, Tesla stood out with its self-developed infotainment system that did not require a smartphone connection. Therefore, the fact that Apple CarPlay support is being tested indicates a significant change in Tesla’s software approach. Various tensions between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple in the past also make this process remarkable. Musk had stated in the past that he wanted to sell Tesla to Apple during the crisis during the Model 3 production, but Apple CEO Tim Cook did not accept this meeting. In addition, it is known that Apple transferred many important engineers from Tesla within the scope of its own automobile project, which was later shelved.
CarPlay will be included in Tesla software as a separate window
According to Bloomberg, Apple CarPlay will not completely replace Tesla’s current infotainment interface. Instead, CarPlay will work in a separate window and offer a structure parallel to Tesla’s original system. In this way, users can continue to use the interface developed by Tesla, while iPhone integration will also be possible. However, it is reported that the company will use the standard CarPlay version, not the “CarPlay Ultra” version that Apple recently announced and offers deeper integration with vehicle indicators.
This step by Tesla contrasts with the policies of other automakers in the industry regarding Apple CarPlay. For example, General Motors (GM) announced that it would end support for CarPlay and Android Auto and switch to its own software solution. GM’s choice was criticized for pushing user habits into the background, despite the popularity of the platform. Ford CEO Jim Farley also recently stated that Apple’s improved CarPlay version did not meet expectations.
Although Tesla has not made an official statement regarding Bloomberg’s claims, this development may indicate that the company is paying more attention to user demands. For now, Elon Musk has not made a statement on the subject. However, industry analysts evaluate that Tesla’s integration of a popular feature such as CarPlay into its software may be effective in brand preference, especially for iPhone users.