Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/USPTO
CarPlay 2 is nowhere to be seen, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Apple has abandoned the project—I hope not, as it wouldn't be the first time the company drops an idea after pouring billions of dollars into its development (I'm looking at you, Apple Car).
However, Apple has remained committed to its FBI-inspired secrecy, so the world has no option but to wait for the first vehicle announcement promised in 2024. Aston Martin and Porsche have already confirmed they'd be using CarPlay 2 in their cars, and the debut of the first models was projected to happen this year.
Meanwhile, a newly discovered Apple patent provides us with an early look at a feature that could be part of the new-generation CarPlay experience when it launches.
The patent is called "user interfaces with dynamic display of map information," and while it sounds complicated and complex at first, it's an easy way to switch interfaces, such as navigation, from one screen to the other.
We've known for a while that CarPlay 2 will support all displays in the car, including passenger screens, the main infotainment unit, and the instrument cluster. Apple wants to allow essential data, such as navigation, to roam between these screens, and the company explains in its patent that this approach can help "reduce power usage and improve the battery life of the electronic device."
Leaving aside this promise, it's more important to understand how the feature will work. Apple explained that users would be able to transfer navigation between devices using voice commands via Siri interaction. A command like "Hey, show maps on my driver display" will transfer navigation from the main screen to the instrument cluster.
A patent drawing envisions the navigation information on the instrument cluster – already available on some models with more advanced CarPlay integration – with the map displayed behind the speedometer. Users will also be allowed to toggle between map views, so they can request Siri to "switch my driver display to aerial view."
These voice commands can be further tweaked and combined to transfer maps to the center display, start navigation to another destination, and interact with the application as needed. Everything will work in a similar way to the existing Siri integration in Apple Maps, but the added capabilities will also be available on the instrument cluster.
The benefit, Apple explains, comes down to the reduced distraction, as having the map on the instrument cluster means users don't have to move their heads but only their eyes to see the route. The instrument cluster interface will include essential data, including the next turn and the speed limit, but the central display will likely present more information, including traffic reports.
Apple's idea is still in the patent stage, and it's too early to tell when it could reach the mass production stage.
Meanwhile, a newly discovered Apple patent provides us with an early look at a feature that could be part of the new-generation CarPlay experience when it launches.
The patent is called "user interfaces with dynamic display of map information," and while it sounds complicated and complex at first, it's an easy way to switch interfaces, such as navigation, from one screen to the other.
We've known for a while that CarPlay 2 will support all displays in the car, including passenger screens, the main infotainment unit, and the instrument cluster. Apple wants to allow essential data, such as navigation, to roam between these screens, and the company explains in its patent that this approach can help "reduce power usage and improve the battery life of the electronic device."
Leaving aside this promise, it's more important to understand how the feature will work. Apple explained that users would be able to transfer navigation between devices using voice commands via Siri interaction. A command like "Hey, show maps on my driver display" will transfer navigation from the main screen to the instrument cluster.
A patent drawing envisions the navigation information on the instrument cluster – already available on some models with more advanced CarPlay integration – with the map displayed behind the speedometer. Users will also be allowed to toggle between map views, so they can request Siri to "switch my driver display to aerial view."
These voice commands can be further tweaked and combined to transfer maps to the center display, start navigation to another destination, and interact with the application as needed. Everything will work in a similar way to the existing Siri integration in Apple Maps, but the added capabilities will also be available on the instrument cluster.
The benefit, Apple explains, comes down to the reduced distraction, as having the map on the instrument cluster means users don't have to move their heads but only their eyes to see the route. The instrument cluster interface will include essential data, including the next turn and the speed limit, but the central display will likely present more information, including traffic reports.
Apple's idea is still in the patent stage, and it's too early to tell when it could reach the mass production stage.
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