Apple CarPlay allows users to use the vehicle's infotainment system to mirror the interface of the iPhone. Millions of iPhones running on iOS 9 can already connect to CarPlay wirelessly, but Volkswagen is the first car company to offer support for this functionality. Unfortunately, Apple reportedly banned Volkswagen from showing off the user experience at CES 2016.
Although Volkswagen did not categorically say Apple banned the company from showcasing the feature at CES, it's clear Volkmar Tanneberger, head of the company's electrical and electronic department, was referring to the Cupertino-based firm.
"We wanted to demonstrate wireless CarPlay and the owner of CarPlay technology didn't allow us to," Tanneberger told Car and Driver.
CarPlay allows the vehicle to mirror the iPhone's interface and use select apps, although some were not included due to safety concerns. No other carmaker offers a system compatible with the software because CarPlay-compatible cars currently go the wired route, making users plug their handsets via USB into the car's console.
Though Tannenberger didn't mention the exact reason why it was banned from doing a CarPlay demo, Apple might have felt the technology wasn't up to its standards or has its own event scheduled where it will demonstrate the technology on its own terms.
If the latter is true, Apple will likely stage the demo with its own carmaker partners at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which is rumored to take place in March. Apple certainly wouldn't want Volkswagen to jump ahead of its partners in showcasing wireless CarPlay.
Instead of demonstrating CarPlay, Volkswagen chose to showcase MirrorLink, which works with Android devices, but not with iPhones. Like CarPlay, MirrorLink allows the user to connect the handset and display screen via Wi-Fi. Car owners can use the infotainment screen to play, control and stream music stored in the phone.
Users can also use the feature to get directions and access selects apps on their phone. However, the system might drain the phone's battery rapidly, so the car company plans to pair the feature with wireless charging.
Photo: Sam Churchill | Flickr
