- Large CarPlay updates add a number of practical features
- Hyundai shows its next gene-infotainment system
- Tesla probably won’t be very happy
It’s been a bumper week for updates of the automotive industry, with Hyundai launching its Pleos software -brand, proprietary vehicle OS and Open App Development Program while Apple rolled out iOS 18.4, which brought a series of updates to CarPlay.
Interestingly, the Hyundai Motor Group has worked with Google to realize its next generation operating system and utilize the power of the Android Automotive OS to create a more “smartphone-like” experience for users.
Due to rolling out in the second half of next year, Pleos Connect Hyundai’s upcoming Gleo AI voice assistant as well as ‘Split-View’ Multi-Window approach.
It looks like creepy as Tesla’s interface – even down to the vehicle icon and the ability to open doors and the trunk. Don’t tell Elon.
Pleos Connect is part of a wider drive from Hyundai to move into the true software -defined vehicle (SDV) space that sees whole electric and sensor architecture redesigned and refined so that all parts of the vehicle can be updated over the air.
Chang Song, the man in charge of all things SDV in the Hyundai Motor Group, says the Pleos Platform supports “all units in motion” to move autonomously and be controlled smartly. It will connect transport and infrastructure and help in the next generation of autonomous vehicles, both passenger cars and logistics cars.
Another part of Song’s Masterplan is to develop what he refers to as “Killer Apps”, which is a reference to unique software that benefits the end user to such an extent, it has customers flowing to the Hyundai product to make the most of it.
Pleos Playground allows the world’s hottest third -party mobile app developers to freely access Automotive Software Endpoints that provide software development sets, analysis and support tools to create apps that can be distributed via Hyundai’s app market.
Apple Expands CarPlay offer … literally
As previously reported, Apple recently introduced a third series of apps to select CarPlay users with larger infotainment screens, but this feature has now been rolled out over its beta scene.
This squeezes several app icons on the display, which should reduce the amount of swiping required – especially for those who like to horde all apps.
At the top of this, the recent iOS 18.4 update also introduces an API that allows selected sports application developers to deliver live scores and match updates to a designated part of the screen, although we do not yet see what it looks like in nature.
Of course, this will not include video playbacks, but it is a nice way to keep the top of the results when they come in.
Finally, Apple CarPlay users in Europe can finally change their standard navigation app away from Apple Maps, which means simple Siri commands are automatically opened in Google Maps, Waze or whatever you choose as a favorite in the Settings menu.
