Elon Musk stops resisting, as Tesla may be 'listening' to iPhone users' demand after more than 10 years
Tesla may reportedly be planning to do what the company has not done so far. According to a report by Bloomberg, Tesla is working to add support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. This is something that CEO Elon Musk is said to be resisting since 10-plus years. iPhone maker has reportedly started testing the capability internally and could be close to releasing it publicly in the next few months. What makes this important is that despite huge demand from iPhone users, Tesla has never allowed phone mirroring in its cars.
The EV maker's argument for both Google's Android Auto and Apple Car Play is same -- that Tesla can provide a better, more integrated software experience than a smartphone. Tesla vehicles rely on company's own infotainment software system, which integrates vehicle functions, navigation, music, web browsing, and more.
According to the report, Tesla's adoption of CarPlay will involve the feature operating "within a window inside its broader interface," rather than being a full-screen experience like it is in most vehicles. Report also said that Tesla's implementation will be the standard version of wireless CarPlay, rather than the next-generation CarPlay Ultra that started rolling out earlier this year.
Essential components, such as navigation, will continue to run on the familiar Tesla systems. This will reportedly be to ensure that the functionality of the linked assistance systems, including the ‘Full Self Driving Software’.
What may be behind Tesla embracing Apple Car Play
So what is it that has led to this change. Analysts term fall in Tesla sales as one of the reasons. The absence of Apple CarPlay is reportedly often a dealbreaker for many car shoppers. According to a study conducted by management consultancy McKinsey in 2024, the unavailability of Apple CarPlay or its Google counterpart, Android Auto, would be a deal breaker for 30 per cent of potential buyers when choosing their electric car.
Bloomberg reports that adopting CarPlay, as outlandish as it may seem, could be part of a broader strategy to get people interested again in Tesla’s cars.
For Apple, analysts see this as a milestone in its automotive activities. For, Tesla is still the market leader in the United States when it comes to electric cars.
The EV maker's argument for both Google's Android Auto and Apple Car Play is same -- that Tesla can provide a better, more integrated software experience than a smartphone. Tesla vehicles rely on company's own infotainment software system, which integrates vehicle functions, navigation, music, web browsing, and more.
According to the report, Tesla's adoption of CarPlay will involve the feature operating "within a window inside its broader interface," rather than being a full-screen experience like it is in most vehicles. Report also said that Tesla's implementation will be the standard version of wireless CarPlay, rather than the next-generation CarPlay Ultra that started rolling out earlier this year.
Essential components, such as navigation, will continue to run on the familiar Tesla systems. This will reportedly be to ensure that the functionality of the linked assistance systems, including the ‘Full Self Driving Software’.
What may be behind Tesla embracing Apple Car Play
So what is it that has led to this change. Analysts term fall in Tesla sales as one of the reasons. The absence of Apple CarPlay is reportedly often a dealbreaker for many car shoppers. According to a study conducted by management consultancy McKinsey in 2024, the unavailability of Apple CarPlay or its Google counterpart, Android Auto, would be a deal breaker for 30 per cent of potential buyers when choosing their electric car.
Bloomberg reports that adopting CarPlay, as outlandish as it may seem, could be part of a broader strategy to get people interested again in Tesla’s cars.
For Apple, analysts see this as a milestone in its automotive activities. For, Tesla is still the market leader in the United States when it comes to electric cars.
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