Tesla is making strides to bring Apple CarPlay to its vehicles, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest PowerOn newsletter. While the initial plan was to launch by the end of last year, technical challenges and slow software updates have caused delays. The integration with Apple CarPlay was originally intended to help boost vehicle demand during a period of slow sales.
The current plan involves running CarPlay within a dedicated window inside Tesla’s native software. This approach allows the car to maintain its existing control center for features like climate control and Full Self-Driving (FSD) visuals while offering the familiar iPhone interface. However, internal testing revealed issues with Tesla’s navigation system and Apple Maps not always staying in sync. During FSD, the two systems sometimes provided conflicting turn-by-turn guidance, which could potentially confuse the driver.
To address this issue, Tesla requested specific engineering changes from Apple for its mapping software. While Apple included these fixes in recent iOS 26 updates, the adoption rate of the new operating system has been slower than expected. Apple reported that iOS 26 is running on 74 percent of iPhones released in the last four years, which is lower than the adoption rate seen with previous iOS updates. Since the necessary fixes were included in a later bug update rather than the initial release, Tesla is waiting for more users to update their devices before an official rollout.
In other news related to Tesla, Elon Musk’s ambitions for artificial intelligence have expanded beyond Earth’s orbit. During a recent meeting at xAI, Musk discussed the need to build an AI satellite factory on the Moon, complete with a giant “mass driver” to launch satellites into deep space. This move signifies Musk’s continued push for innovation and exploration beyond our planet.
Additionally, Tesla is further localizing its in-car software experience in China through a partnership with Tencent. Tencent Cloud has collaborated with Tesla to introduce WeChat-linked in-car features, including instant transfer of WeChat location data and smart service suggestions based on a driver’s destination. This upgrade will be delivered via an over-the-air update, enhancing the user experience for Tesla owners in China.
Elon Musk’s visionary thinking was further showcased in a recent interview on the Dwarkesh Podcast, where he discussed topics ranging from orbital AI data centers to humanoid robots and lessons learned from running SpaceX. Musk’s forward-thinking approach to technology and innovation continues to shape the future of space exploration and artificial intelligence.
As Tesla prepares to integrate Apple CarPlay into its vehicles and expand its presence in the global market, the company remains at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement in the automotive industry. Stay tuned for more updates on Tesla’s latest developments and initiatives.