[const_cast]

I don't think it's a huge assumption. It was in the past, but not anymore.

The thing is that car manufacturers have been fucking up software in cars since... forever. The second car play and android auto hit the scene, that's all anyone wanted.

There's more benefits than just what's on the surface, too. Even if the car software is perfect, it doesn't have access to the same data your phone does. It won't put your contacts in your navigation, for instance.

[alistairSH]

The only problem with CarPlay (and presumably AA) is lack of integration with the car…

Changing lock, light, and anudio (bass/treble/sub/fade) options. Map integration with fuel capacity (they only recently do this for EVs). Checking service intervals, recalls, etc.

If CarPlay had APIs/toolkit to serve those functions, it could 100% replace the UI that the manufacturer delivers (and nobody likes).

[pnw]

My car puts my phone contacts in my navigation. That's a software limitation of legacy car manufacturers.

[const_cast]

Right, and Apple Car Play does it out the gate. So much so that I can say "Navigate to Doctor X" and it does it. And it did it without convoluted requirements on the vehicle side. And it will continue to do it, because Apple's navigation isn't going to rot like the car manufacturers will.

Look, can car makers make somewhat decent software? Probably, if they burn enough money. But is it even worth it? I don't think so. People already use their phone hours a day, just let them use that.