Skip to main content TechRadar the technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Back to school Nintendo Switch 2 NYT Wordle today Best laptop Best web hosting Recommended reading Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Apple CarPlay Ultra stalls as these 5 car giants have reportedly decided to U-turn Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Automakers appear to be turning their backs on CarPlay Ultra but that hasn’t stopped Apple adding this new feature Hybrid & Electric Vehicles CarPlay could soon get these two upgrades with iOS 26, but I'm still more excited about CarPlay Ultra Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I'm ditching Waze for in-car infotainment systems in EVs – here's why Apple quietly reveals CarPlay's big video upgrade in iOS 26, but there's a catch Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I’ve driven the new Ford Capri – and it proves that nailing the retro-inspired EV brief isn’t easy Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I’ve driven the Porsche Macan EV – and it shows why the classic brand should stick to its electric guns Vehicle Tech Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Apple CarPlay Ultra looks dead on arrival as another automotive giant distances itself – here's what needs to change Leon Poultney 26 July 2025 BMW joins the list of anti-Apple CarPlay Ultra car brands When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Apple / Aston Martin) BMW says it has no plans to integrate CarPlay Ultra in future cars Manufacturers are increasingly turning to in-house infotainment Aston Martin is currently the only brand offering Apple's tech Apple CarPlay launched to much fanfare in late May, adorning the myriad screens in the stunning Aston Martin DBX 707 model. But just weeks after its unveiling to the world, a number of big name automotive manufacturers – who were once slated to work with the tech – have started backing out. This time, it's BMW. Recently, one Renault employee was even quoted as saying “don’t invade our systems” by the Financial Times when quizzed about future partnerships with the tech giant. You may like Apple CarPlay Ultra stalls as these 5 car giants have reportedly decided to U-turn Automakers appear to be turning their backs on CarPlay Ultra but that hasn’t stopped Apple adding this new feature CarPlay could soon get these two upgrades with iOS 26, but I'm still more excited about CarPlay Ultra Now, a BMW AG spokesperson has stated that the company currently has “no plans to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra”, according to a post from the independent BMW Blog spotted by 9to5Mac. Instead, the German automotive powerhouse is backing its own reinvention of the popular iDrive system, which was first debuted at CES late last year. The system – that will first be seen on the upcoming Neue Klasse iX – includes new haptic controls and a full-width display that spans the entire width of the windscreen. Handing this new and innovative digital real estate over to Apple feels counter intuitive. As a result, the German automaker will still support traditional CarPlay and Android Auto, but its use will be limited to the main infotainment screen. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Analysis: CarPlay Ultra is a step too far (Image credit: Aston Martin / Apple) My early hands-on experience with Apple CarPlay Ultra proved that the system fixed many of the irritating issues that arose from traditional CarPlay use. Chiefly, the ability to adjust important car settings or enjoy some DAB or satellite radio without leaving the CarPlay environment is a boon. However, when activated in the beautiful surrounds of an Aston Martin, the system felt overly invasive and the fully digital, very Apple-y cockpit lost some of its unique charm. This is the overriding issue facing many manufacturers, as most feel that allowing Apple to take control of the entire infotainment experience not only stifles brand differentiation but also sees Apple potentially handling reams of valuable data. Instead, Porsche remains the only manufacturer I can think of that has worked with Apple’s Automotive Developer Toolkit to produce a sort of halfway house. Plug an iPhone into a new Macan, Taycan or Panamera and you’ll still be able to adjust the temperature of the air con and fiddle with car settings, without leaving the CarPlay environment or giving up the unique Porsche digital driver’s display. To me, it feels like Apple needs to pursue this avenue and improve the standard CarPlay experience, which should happen with iOS 26. Otherwise future cars risk feeling homogenous both on the outside and the interior. You might also like I’ve tried Apple CarPlay Ultra – it fixes everything that’s irritating about CarPlay, but there’s a catch Apple quietly reveals CarPlay's big video upgrade in iOS 26, but there's a catch Apple CarPlay just got 4 big free upgrades with iOS 26 – here's what you need to know Leon Poultney EVs correspondent Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four. 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Apple CarPlay Ultra stalls as these 5 car giants have reportedly decided to U-turn Automakers appear to be turning their backs on CarPlay Ultra but that hasn’t stopped Apple adding this new feature CarPlay could soon get these two upgrades with iOS 26, but I'm still more excited about CarPlay Ultra I'm ditching Waze for in-car infotainment systems in EVs – here's why Apple quietly reveals CarPlay's big video upgrade in iOS 26, but there's a catch I’ve driven the new Ford Capri – and it proves that nailing the retro-inspired EV brief isn’t easy Latest in Hybrid & Electric Vehicles ‘Let the cat out of the bag there’: Elon Musk says the new, affordable Tesla coming in 2025 will just be a cheaper Model Y Tesla's futuristic drive-in Diner is the coolest thing it's built in years – here's what it's like inside I’ve driven the new Mercedes-Benz CLA and it convinced me that EV efficiency can actually be exciting Automakers appear to be turning their backs on CarPlay Ultra but that hasn’t stopped Apple adding this new feature This Pocket Rocket electric motorcycle essentially runs on a giant AA battery and it’s now available to pre-order Refreshed EVs are the best EVs: how rapid updates are redefining car ownership Latest in News Images of the the Google Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a have now all leaked in a stylish Moonstone color ICYMI: the 7 biggest tech stories of the week, from our new favorite cheap smartwatch to the iOS 26 beta Apple TV+ just dropped a teaser for Pluribus, the show from the creator of Breaking Bad, and we're left with many questions What if Clippy and AI Cloud intelligence had a baby? 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