CarPlay Is Additive (caseyliss.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's preference for CarPlay in cars and their disappointment with Rivian's decision not to support it. The author argues that CarPlay is additive and does not have to take over the entire screen, citing their own experience with a Volvo XC90. Rivian's Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, has expressed concerns about screen mirroring solutions, but the author believes these concerns are unfounded. The author will not buy a car without CarPlay support, considering it a must-have feature.

Main themes

• CarPlay support
• Rivian's software strategy
• Automotive industry trends
• Customer preferences
• Data collection and privacy

What commenters say

• Some believe that Rivian's refusal to support CarPlay is due to concerns about losing control over the user experience and potential revenue from software subscriptions.
• Others argue that car manufacturers want to collect user data and sell it, which CarPlay's restrictions on data collection prevent.
• The desire for CarPlay support is seen as evidence of Apple's dominance in the industry, with some arguing that this is a problem that needs to be addressed by regulators.
• Many commenters disagree, stating that CarPlay is a popular feature that provides a better user experience than native car infotainment systems, and that its absence is a deal-breaker for some buyers.
• Some argue that the industry should focus on creating open standards for phone-car connectivity, rather than relying on proprietary solutions like CarPlay.
• Others believe that regulators should step in to ensure that car manufacturers do not refuse to support existing consumer connectivity protocols without a valid reason.
• A few commenters express concerns about the privacy implications of using CarPlay or Android Auto, citing the need for attested devices and the potential for data tracking.
• Some argue that the automotive industry has failed to create compelling infotainment systems, leading to the popularity of CarPlay and Android Auto as alternatives.