According to an influential tech blog, there’s a new version of Apple CarPlay coming soon. Radio industry leaders should take notice, because there’s a big update they’ll benefit from.
Will Apple be making the announcement, along with other key noteworthy reveals, at CES 2024? Radio + Television Business Report coverage of CES 2024 starts with the January 8 distribution of our Winter 2024 digital magazine, and continues across the week at RBR.com.
According to MacRumors, a respected Apple technology blog that follows the latest updates from the tech giant, a “late 2023” update to the popular in-vehicle streaming platform is on the way.
A preview of the update was first presented in June 2022 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Then, the promise was on deeper functionality — including FM radio support. Now, it appears Apple is finally ready to release the update, and FM radio accessibility is included in the latest Apple CarPlay.
Call it a radio industry bone. Famously, efforts led by Emmis Communications founder Jeff Smulyan — and former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai — to get Apple to activate FM chips in its iPhones ultimately failed. This came despite public safety calls from the government agency and a deep press from Emmis subsidiary NextRadio, which subsequently concluded operations.
With the first vehicles to get the new version of CarPlay still unannounced, automotive brands likely involved include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, and Volvo, among others.
MacRumors didn’t elaborate on addition of FM radio to Apple CarPlay, other than sharing a graphic that would allow for easy control of MHz-based broadcasts in the car.
For those who have been behind the wheel of an Acura of late, OEM tuning to Radio, along with use of a bluetooth for phone and navigation systems, may require a pilot’s certification and handbook. It is this complex way of accessing basics, such as FM radio, that concerns the NAB and radio industry leaders. And, with CES 2024 bringing more radio executives than ever, the official link of FM with CarPlay could be part of Apple’s revelation plans in Las Vegas.
Other updates include widgets, multi-display support, climate control settings and instrument cluster integration.
