Apple first unveiled the next-generation Apple CarPlay system more than 2 years ago, but so far there has been little to show it. Fortunately, WWDC2024 has revealed many important details about the new in-vehicle system and confirmed that it will begin deployment later this year. Now the meeting is on some new details have emerged — including the fact that it will only be radio.

The Verge has revealed many details about the next version of CarPlay, which extends the system from a single screen to the entire dashboard. The idea is that your iPhone will get hooked on your car's systems like climate control, speedometer and battery range.

The Verge's report goes into the challenges of developing this new CarPlay system, most importantly ensuring that the entire system does not fail when the phone is disconnected, which can happen more often because the system will only be available wirelessly.

Why? It's not really clear. Especially now that iPhone15 and other future iPhones support USB-C and faster data transfer rates, you will think that wired connection is much more convenient. But obviously Apple will be able to add its own interface and system as soon as you get into your car, which will not necessarily happen if you need to connect your phone first.

CarPlay also allows automakers to add their own interfaces and systems for features that Apple cannot always consider, such as camera flipping and driver assistance features. It is also possible to use the following methods: These things vary from car to car, and some of them are updated quite regularly. Apple is unlikely to develop a CarPlay interface for them all, so it's much easier to take over the existing interface when Carplay is needed.

The system is called "PUNCH Through UI" and obviously there's no limit to what car manufacturers can offer this way. In fact, much of the blame for how the new CarPlay works seems to lie with automakers, not Apple, whose interfaces and controls are in the car, which all sound pretty complicated under the surface, and that means 2 types of cars don't have the same CarPlay experience.

The Verge speculates that much of this, along with the ability of automakers to customize new CarPlay interfaces to suit their own brands, is a ploy to speed up adoption. It has become clear that the car company does not want to give up its in-vehicle design and transfer control to Apple.

Providing a screen for a phone connection is one thing, but abandoning the entire dashboard is another. Even if it is potentially more useful to the driver if their phone has access to the system and data in the car.

So far, we know that Porsche and Aston Martin will launch cars that support the new CarPlay later this year. Other automakers that have previously pledged to support the software include Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar/Land Rover, Mercedes, Nissan, Renault, Volvo, Acura, Infiniti and Lincoln. However, it is not clear whether or when the first car will start with software.