It’s been nearly two years since Apple unveiled the highly anticipated overhaul of CarPlay during its WWDC 2022 event. At that time, the tech giant promised an entirely new experience for in-car entertainment and connectivity, with CarPlay 2.0 expected to arrive in 2024. But as 2024 draws near, there's little evidence that the new version will make its debut on time.

Despite Apple's website currently stating that CarPlay's next generation will "arrive in 2024," the year is almost over and no official release or major announcements have surfaced. So, what's going on with CarPlay 2.0?

A Slow Progression

Since the announcement in 2022, CarPlay 2.0 has been largely absent from the news cycle. There were some notable reveals in late December 2023, when automakers Aston Martin and Porsche introduced new dashboard concepts featuring the upcoming CarPlay. At the time, reports suggested that these brands would roll out vehicles with the new CarPlay in 2024, but as of now, that timeline seems increasingly unlikely to hold true.

A Peek at New Features

The closest we’ve come to seeing CarPlay 2.0 in action were the feature reveals in the iOS 17.4 code back in January. Among the new features were in-car climate control, heated seat controls, FM/AM radio, SiriusXM support, charge status for electric vehicles, tire pressure monitoring, and door status alerts. These additions hinted at a more integrated, functional system that goes beyond music and navigation.

At that point, Apple had confirmed that a number of carmakers, including Porsche and Aston Martin, would support the new CarPlay. Other brands like Acura, Ford, and Honda were also expected to be on board, though details were sparse.

Silence at WWDC 2024

Apple's 2024 WWDC event came and went without a word about CarPlay. While the company did present a developer panel showcasing new CarPlay design changes, it was a far cry from a major product announcement. The changes demonstrated a more customizable CarPlay experience, allowing car manufacturers to tweak the display to match their vehicle's design. However, Apple did not specify when the new CarPlay would be made available to the public.

What Apple Promises

Currently, Apple’s website offers a glimpse into what’s to come with CarPlay 2.0:

"This next generation of CarPlay is the ultimate iPhone experience for the car. It provides content for all the driver’s screens, including the instrument cluster. This ensures a cohesive design experience that blends the best of your car and your iPhone, with designs tailored to each automaker’s unique brand. Vehicle functions like radio and temperature controls will be integrated into CarPlay, and new personalization options — including widgets and curated gauge cluster designs — will allow drivers to make the experience their own."

Will CarPlay 2.0 Arrive in 2024?

At this point, it's difficult to see CarPlay 2.0 launching before the end of the year. While Apple has teased the new system for over two years, it's unclear if there will be a surprise release in the final weeks of 2024. Given the December 2023 announcement from Porsche and Aston Martin, it’s possible that Apple could still deliver a last-minute surprise — but the clock is ticking.

As we wait, it's clear that Apple faces a tight timeline to meet its promised release window. Will 2024 be the year CarPlay 2.0 finally takes the spotlight, or will we have to wait even longer for a major update? Time will tell, but for now, the next generation of CarPlay remains tantalizingly out of reach.