Photo: Plugsurfing/autoevolution edits
CarPlay 2.0 feels late to the party, but the first-generation experience isn't going anywhere. Users, developers, Apple, and carmakers still love the original version of CarPlay, so it's no surprise that the app ecosystem, the number of users, and the models supporting the system keep growing.
The latest big name to join the CarPlay world is Plugsurfing. The company already offered a mobile app to help drivers find a charger, get more information about a station, navigate to its location, and pay for charging.
However, starting this week, Plugsurfing is also available on CarPlay, so users can access certain features without picking up their iPhones and unlocking the smartphone to launch the app.
The CarPlay version supports the essential capabilities, so users can load the charging map, which includes the nearby charging locations, real-time availability, pricing information, power, and supported plug types. Plugsurfing brags about its extensive coverage, claiming it supports over 650,000 charge points across 27 European countries.
Users also get filters, so they can choose what chargers they see on the map. For example, if you only want to be provided with fast DC chargers (who doesn't, right?), you can configure this setting from filters.
The CarPlay version also includes support for displaying the pre-calculated route with charging stops on the way. However, users must enter battery information, including the current level, to let the app estimate the number of charging stops to their destination.
Plugsurfing doesn't come with built-in navigation, but it can connect users with another navigation app for directions to a chosen charger. For example, once you select a charging station, the navigation guidance can be provided by Apple Maps by sending location information to the app automatically.
Plugsurfing says it wanted to keep the feature lineup as lightweight as possible, so you won't get support for account settings, launching a charging session (the mobile device is still the only way to do this), and entering new destinations to create new routes.
Unfortunately for Android Auto users, they are a minority. Plugsurfing explains that the CarPlay support was developed because most users have iPhones. The company admits that Android dominates the mobile space worldwide, but 75% of its users own an Apple smartphone, so investing in CarPlay support was a no-brainer. It's unclear if Android Auto support is on the table, but anyone with a Google-powered phone can continue to use the app on the mobile device.
Apple is now giving the finishing touches to the second-generation CarPlay, with the first cars projected to receive it later this year. Aston Martin and Porsche have already confirmed they'll adopt the new CarPlay experience, with more carmakers to follow in their footsteps in the next months and years.
Apple is expected to share more information about CarPlay 2.0 at the upcoming WWDC developer event.
However, starting this week, Plugsurfing is also available on CarPlay, so users can access certain features without picking up their iPhones and unlocking the smartphone to launch the app.
The CarPlay version supports the essential capabilities, so users can load the charging map, which includes the nearby charging locations, real-time availability, pricing information, power, and supported plug types. Plugsurfing brags about its extensive coverage, claiming it supports over 650,000 charge points across 27 European countries.
Users also get filters, so they can choose what chargers they see on the map. For example, if you only want to be provided with fast DC chargers (who doesn't, right?), you can configure this setting from filters.
The CarPlay version also includes support for displaying the pre-calculated route with charging stops on the way. However, users must enter battery information, including the current level, to let the app estimate the number of charging stops to their destination.
Plugsurfing doesn't come with built-in navigation, but it can connect users with another navigation app for directions to a chosen charger. For example, once you select a charging station, the navigation guidance can be provided by Apple Maps by sending location information to the app automatically.
Plugsurfing says it wanted to keep the feature lineup as lightweight as possible, so you won't get support for account settings, launching a charging session (the mobile device is still the only way to do this), and entering new destinations to create new routes.
Unfortunately for Android Auto users, they are a minority. Plugsurfing explains that the CarPlay support was developed because most users have iPhones. The company admits that Android dominates the mobile space worldwide, but 75% of its users own an Apple smartphone, so investing in CarPlay support was a no-brainer. It's unclear if Android Auto support is on the table, but anyone with a Google-powered phone can continue to use the app on the mobile device.
Apple is now giving the finishing touches to the second-generation CarPlay, with the first cars projected to receive it later this year. Aston Martin and Porsche have already confirmed they'll adopt the new CarPlay experience, with more carmakers to follow in their footsteps in the next months and years.
Apple is expected to share more information about CarPlay 2.0 at the upcoming WWDC developer event.
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