Why doesn't Geely support CarPlay?
2 Answers
Geely does not support CarPlay due to vehicle configuration issues. CarPlay is an in-car system released by Apple Inc., which seamlessly integrates users' iOS devices and iOS experience with the dashboard system. CarPlay only supports iPhone models with a Lightning interface. Additionally, although iPads already support this interface, Apple has not listed iPads as hardware devices compatible with CarPlay. There are primarily three ways to control CarPlay: Siri: You can communicate with the car through Siri, instructing it on what to do next. You can also hear the system read out messages received on your phone and reply using voice dictation. Touchscreen display: Some CarPlay-compatible cars are equipped with a touchscreen display, allowing you to open or close apps on a fairly simple home screen. Physical buttons: Cars with physical buttons can use them as one of the ways to control CarPlay. Controls like volume adjustment and track switching are seamlessly integrated.
Geely doesn't support CarPlay mainly because they've developed their own smart system, like GKUI, which is particularly user-friendly and deeply integrated into the car. It supports Baidu Maps and voice control, allowing users to adjust navigation and music just by speaking, without any additional setup. Compared to CarPlay, it better suits Chinese road conditions and user habits, such as having much better compatibility with local apps and seamless integration with smart home devices, making it highly practical. I believe Geely's move towards self-development is to avoid dependence on Apple, maintain freedom for innovation, and save on licensing fees, which is cost-effective. They've partnered with Baidu to build an ecosystem, promoting their own brand, making system upgrades more flexible, and allowing for the addition of AI features in the future. Overall, this strategy makes the car smarter and more localized, providing a smoother daily driving experience for users.
