Almost everyone interested in car technology was taken by surprise at the absence of car hardware capable of wireless CarPlay at this year's CES. It was expected that car manufacturers would be the first to showcase the hardware in their upcoming vehicles. Aftermarket manufacturers were also expected to have some insight on the technology.
The annual event disappointed in the wireless CarPlay regard. There were plenty of CarPlay tidbits in general but none suggesting wireless CarPlay even exists.
But a latest news report from Car and Driver suggests Apple may have something to do with it.
According to the report, Apple blocked automaker Volkswagen from showcasing wireless CarPlay in their vehicles. The report cites Volkmar Tanneberger, head of electrical and electronic development at Volkswagen, who told Car and Driver, "We wanted to demonstrate wireless CarPlay and the owner of CarPlay technology didn't allow us to."
Apple is famous for controlling the A-Z when it comes to any product they make. CarPlay is an Apple product. Every feature, and even troubleshooting of issues, is done by Apple themselves. Automakers and aftermarket manufacturers have very little control on how CarPlay works.
Wireless CarPlay is one of the most anticipated features of the software ever since CarPlay was announced. The technology is believed to have a few challenges though. According to Apple, the hardware is not quite ready to support CarPlay wirelessly yet.
The other issue is to do with battery life of iPhones. When connected wirelessly for CarPlay, iPhones are bound to lose battery life quicker than you can blink. Unless cars and iPhones come with wireless charging modules, the whole "wireless CarPlay" concept is defunct.
If the Car and Driver report is to be believed, it could be likely that Apple wants to first demonstrate wireless CarPlay themselves. When? WWDC 2016 which will happen in June this year seems to be the appropriate stage for it.
Makes sense at the least.
Source: Car and Driver
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