The conversation about whether drivers pull more Apple CarPlay or Android Auto that integrated systems are making a comeback. BMW has come out to explain its vision, and it has done so forcefully: according to its data, most of its customers do not depend on these platforms.
A senior official of the German company assures that, in its ecosystem, It is not so common to use CarPlay or Android Auto while driving. The question many are now asking is obvious: will BMW prioritize the new CarPlay Ultra, or will it continue to rely on its own software?
What BMW says about the use of CarPlay
According to BMW executive Stephan Durach, the actual behavior inside their cars paints a different picture: Users often choose the default navigation of the vehicle. They say they have analyzed interactions of approximately ten million units, recording which buttons are pressed, which menus are opened, and which functions are activated.
When using CarPlay, according to this same source, the most frequent use has to do with IMIn many cases, content is managed by voice via Messages or WhatsApp to avoid distractions, a practice already quite widespread among drivers.
CarPlay Ultra: Who's Signing Up and Who's Passing
The industry is split into two fronts. Tesla, Rivian and General Motors They have not wanted to integrate CarPlay and prefer your own software. At the other extreme, Aston Martin has now incorporated CarPlay Ultra on some models.
Apple says more brands will be compatible with CarPlay Ultra over the next year, though There is no clear evidence that the momentum will accelerate. in the short term. It has also not been confirmed whether vehicles already in circulation will be able to receive Ultra through an update. BMW, for its part, continues to offer the first version of CarPlay and does not seem to be in a hurry to take the leap.
From the past of navigators to the present of BMW
Anyone who has been driving for a while will remember that, before CarPlay and Android Auto, The built-in browsers were slow and difficult to update. They often relied on dealer visits or DVD discs to load new maps or features.
That stage is behind us for many manufacturers, and BMW boasts of having improved its own system precisely so that there is no need to depend on third-party solutions. Although the brand integrates CarPlay, it assures that it does not feel obliged to implement Ultra if its metrics indicate that the Native software satisfies what your customers ask for.
What about Android Auto?
Although the focus of the debate is on CarPlay, Android Auto plays the same game. BMW's statements point to a general idea: Their drivers make do with the car's system for most tasks. There's no platform-by-platform data here, but the message seems applicable to both ecosystems.
What it means for drivers and the market
For anyone thinking about changing their car or how to connect your mobile, there are several readings to take into account, all of them with direct impact on the onboard experience:
- Preference for the native: At BMW, many people rely on the app rather than mobile apps.
- Ultra in the air: CarPlay Ultra is making progress, but adoption depends on each brand and whether they allow updates.
- closed ecosystems: Some manufacturers rely on proprietary software without CarPlay/Android Auto, which affects everyday use.
- Practical use: Voice messaging remains one of the most common uses when connecting to a phone.
The picture drawn by BMW is clear: in its fleet of vehicles, CarPlay and Android Auto don't seem to be the dominant option. versus the native system. As Apple tries to bring CarPlay Ultra to more brands and the industry decides its path, drivers will have to consider what matters most to them: deep car integration, mobile compatibility, or a seamless mix of both.
