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Ford Lineup Not Getting Next-Generation CarPlay Anytime Soon

Back in June 2022, Apple announced that the next-generation version of CarPlay will take over all of the screens present in modern automobiles, including not only the infotainment screen, but also the digital instrument cluster and other in-vehicle screens. This not only leads to a more cohesive design, but also allows users to control things like interior temperature and the radio from the CarPlay interface, while also giving them the ability to customize virtually everything. However, that redesign hit a bit of a snag last March when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Apple. Now, it doesn’t seem as if the Ford lineup will be getting that update anytime soon.

A photo showing the infotainment screen in a 2025 Ford Maverick.

As first reported by MacRumors, Apple recently updated its CarPlay website, removing the line that originally stated the next-generation version of that software was set to “arrive in 2024.” However Apple didn’t remove anything else from the site, signaling that it still apparently expects to launch the new CarPlay at some point in the future, but for now at least, it isn’t providing any sort of timeline for that rollout. Apple also added references to the next-generation CarPlay via its iOS 18.3 beta code its EU database recently.

“The next generation of CarPlay builds on years of success and insights gained from CarPlay, delivering the best of Apple and the automaker in a deeply integrated and customizable experience,” Apple said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with several automakers, enabling them to showcase their unique brand and visual design philosophies in the next generation of CarPlay. Each car brand will share more details as they near the announcements of their models that will support the next generation of CarPlay.”

Meanwhile, the DOJ has expressed concerns over Apple’s “threatened dominance over the automotive industry” that ” goes well beyond the Apple Wallet and Apple’s demands on car makers to allow innovative products and services on the iPhone. After leveraging its smartphone dominance to car infotainment systems, Apple has told automakers that the next generation of Apple CarPlay will take over all of the screens, sensors, and gauges in a car, forcing users to experience driving as an iPhone-centric experience if they want to use any of the features provided by CarPlay.”

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. This sucks, I don’t want Apple taking over my screens and OS just like I don’t want want gm banning CarPlay. I want choice.

    Reply
  2. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!!!! Wish Steve Jobs was Still here!!!

    Reply
  3. Usually Apple CarPlay gets updated through the iPhone. Now if you see now the interface is different and siri is different. So maybe in 18.3 there will be more enhancements. So maybe 18.4 and so on will give it more. Maybe when 19 comes out we will probably come out with even more like 18 did. I don’t care about the instrument clusters so much as my CarPlay works I am more than happy.

    Reply
  4. I am an Apple ‘fan-boy’ and use and love every one of their products. But this update is a problem and I’m glad Ford said “no thank you”. In my new ’24 Escape, I used the Apple Car Play for a while, and after only a few trips got the warning from AT&T “… you have used up almost all of your data streaming for the current period”. In other words, if I use Apple Car Play for an extended period of time, I will have to upgrade my cell phone program to unlimited data, at some cost. This is an unfair burden and I believe the DOJ will make sure it never happens. I should not be denied my free choice when I pay $40,000 for a car.

    Reply
  5. It doesn’t mention anything about Android Auto to the point that I have to wonder, would everything feed through Apple CarPlay?

    Reply

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