Apple's rumored augmented reality glasses are under development and could launch by 2022, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. The full report has yet to be released, but a paywalled preview reads as follows:
Apple AR glasses under development Taiwan-based optical component suppliers are engaged in the development of Apple's augmented reality smart glasses, which may be commercialized by 2022, according to industry sources.
This follows a report from The Information in November that claimed Apple is developing two head-worn products, including a combination AR/VR headset for release in 2022 and "full-fledged" AR glasses for release by 2023. Those plans were corroborated by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said the headset could be released as early as 2021.
Google Glasses
The Information claimed that Apple's initial headset will resemble Facebook's Oculus Quest, but with a "sleeker design" that makes "heavy use of fabrics and lightweight materials to ensure the device is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time." The headset is expected to have a "high-resolution display" that will "allow users to read small type and see other people standing in front of and behind virtual objects."
The report claimed that Apple is planning to reach out to third-party developers as early as 2021 to encourage them to build apps for the hardware.
The headset would be followed up by Apple's rumored AR glasses that would be designed to "be worn all day." The Information previously reported that some prototypes "looked like high-priced sunglasses with thick frames that house the battery and chips," but the final design could change. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the glasses will be "lightweight."
Early reports had pegged a 2020 release for Apple's headset, but the company reportedly pushed back the project. Given the current pandemic, the timeframe may continue to shift, but Apple's interest in augmented reality hardware is clear.
Moreover, the LiDAR scanner is more about the future than today. The Verge's Dieter Bohn noted that the sensor "improves some current apps for free, but there aren't any third-party apps that take full advantage of it yet."
"As I used the iPad Pro this week, I kept coming back to that LIDAR sensor," said Bohn. "It's a powerful and interesting sensor and Apple's total control over software and hardware means that it 'just works' to improve existing apps. But as powerful as it is, I'm not super sure a lot of users will be able to take advantage of it — it's an extra thing they may not even use."
There are some benefits to the LiDAR scanner today. For example, all existing ARKit apps will now have instant AR placement, improved motion capture, and people occlusion, while the Measure app can more quickly calculate someone's height.
Apple has been heavily invested in augmented reality for years, and with rumors suggesting that the company is working on an augmented reality headset, the LiDAR scanner will likely have much more significance in the years to come.
As for the A12Z Bionic chip, Apple told WIRED's Lauren Goode that it has enhanced thermal architecture, meaning that it should heat up less when pushed to the limit. And while the A12Z does not move the needle with CPU performance, it does have an eight-core GPU — up from seven in the 2018 iPad Pro — for a modest boost in graphics performance.
The new Ultra Wide camera is mostly what you would expect based on the iPhone 11 Pro, enabling 0.5x zoom for those who take photos with an iPad.
Apple last week launched the new iPad Pro and MacBook Air, and shortly after Expercom provided the first discount on these devices. Today, Amazon has introduced the second set of markdowns on a few of these new 2020 Apple products.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For the iPad Pro, you'll find prices starting at $749.99 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model of the 11-inch iPad Pro, while the same version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is at $949.99, both representing $49 discounts. As of writing, the only 2020 MacBook Air on sale on Amazon is the 256GB model at $949.99, another $49 discount from Apple's price.
These products are available for pre-order on Amazon, and the company states that the iPad Pros will begin shipping tomorrow, March 25.
11-inch iPad Pro
128GB, Wi-Fi - $749.99, down from $799.00 ($49 off)
256GB, Wi-Fi - $849.99, down from $899.00 ($49 off)
12.9-inch iPad Pro
128GB, Wi-Fi - $949.99, down from $999.00 ($49 off)
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
YouTube will begin reducing the quality of its videos for users around the world starting today. With a growing percentage of people staying at home for the next few weeks and months, YouTube hopes this new streaming quality limit will keep the video sharing website running smoothly amid the increased traffic (via Bloomberg).
This change began in Europe last week, and will hit worldwide over the coming days. YouTube videos will default to standard definition, and if users want to watch in high definition, they will have to choose to do so from the settings menu on a video.
YouTube already limits the quality of video based on the strength of a user’s internet connection. YouTube doesn’t believe the world will run out of internet bandwidth any time soon, but is taking a preemptive measure given growing concerns at the government level.
“We continue to work closely with governments and network operators around the globe to do our part to minimize stress on the system during this unprecedented situation,” Google said in a statement.
Many streaming companies are taking similar precautions, with Netflix cutting streaming data bitrates last week, and Apple TV+ lowering streaming quality in Europe. Most of these changes began in Europe after the European Union asked these companies to temporarily reduce streaming quality to ease the strain on broadband networks, and now we're seeing similar policies spread to the United States and other countries.
Woot today kicked off a new Apple sale on refurbished iMacs, MacBooks, and iPads. These devices represent previous-generation computers and tablets, and sales start as low as $99.99 for the first-generation iPad mini.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
There's also the 16GB iPad mini 4 on sale for $179.99, and the 32GB iPad mini 4 for $209.99. At the time of writing, these are the only three remaining iPads on sale during Woot's Apple event, and each one has been certified under Woot's refurbishment program.
There are numerous MacBook Pro models on sale as well. You can save on everything from the 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro for $299.99, to the 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro for $779.99. Woot's MacBook Pro devices have been refurbished by Apple Certified Technicians.
Lastly, you can save on iMacs starting at $239.99 for the 2011 21.5-inch iMac. Woot also has a 2012 21.5-inch model on sale for $469.99, while the same size for a 2013 model is $499.99, and both computers have 8GB RAM and a 1TB hard drive.
Woot's sale will end tonight at 12 a.m. CT, so be sure to visit the retailer's website to browse the full Apple event soon. All Amazon Prime members are able to get free standard shipping on their Woot orders.
Apple last week introduced new iPad Pro models with an similar performing A12Z Bionic chip, an Ultra Wide camera for 0.5x zoom, and a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality. The new iPad Pro models will begin arriving to customers and go on sale at select stores starting tomorrow, and ahead of time, the first unboxing videos have surfaced.
B&H Photo today has returned the 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro to its lowest price of $2,099.00, down from $2,399.00. We've seen this price a few times this year, and it's the current best price you'll find for a new 16-inch MacBook Pro among the major Apple resellers online.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with B&H Photo. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Likewise, you can also save on the 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro on B&H Photo, which is pricing this notebook at $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00. This discount has been pretty consistent throughout the beginning of the year, and both of these sales are solid $300 markdowns on Apple's newest MacBook Pro.
If you want a smaller 13-inch model, there are some sale options for those as well that we've rounded up below from B&H Photo.
We've begun tracking the best monthly deals on all new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks in our new "Best Deals" guide. Be sure to visit the guide and bookmark it if you're on the hunt for a new Apple notebook; we'll be updating it weekly as we discover new MacBook offers across the web.
Popular European banking app Revolut launched in the U.S. today. In partnership with NYC-based Metropolitan Commercial Bank, the virtual banking service offers a one-stop app where users can spend, send, receive, and control cash flow from their Revolut account.
Users sign up for an account and a debit card right from within the app, and can then access separate tabs that track accounts, spending, payments, and cards. Deposited funds are FDIC protected up to $250,000.
Users receive notifications every time a transaction is made on their card. It's also possible to freeze and unfreeze a card, set some limits and restrict some features, such as online payments or ATM withdrawals.
Other features include the ability to send and request money from friends through the app, convert foreign currency at a low exchange rate, hold foreign currencies in a Revolut account, and pay Revolut users in other countries in their local currency.
Users can withdraw money from their Revolut account via more than 55,000 ATMs in the Allpoint ATM network. However, there is a maximum withdrawal limit of $300 per month at a time without incurring a two percent fee, though users can withdraw more if they sign up for one of Revolut's premium subscriptions, which start at $9.99 per month.
In addition, Revolut offers users in the U.S. the ability to receive their salary two days in advance if they share their Revolut banking details with their employer.
In Europe, Revolut offers several other features for premium users, including the ability to buy cryptocurrency and purchase mobile phone insurance within the app. Those features aren't available at launch in the U.S., but Revolut is working to bring them over where possible.
The U.K. spending limit for contactless card payments is to increase from £30 to £45, meaning iPhone users will soon be able to pay for more expensive shopping bills using their smartphones in stores where limitless Apple Pay transactions aren't supported.
The increase in the upper limit on contactless payments is set to roll out nationally beginning from April 1, UK Finance today announced.
To put the change into context, many merchants set up their terminals to only accept contactless payments of up to £30, regardless of whether you’re swiping a bank card or using Apple Pay. While some banks don't set a limit on Apple Pay transactions, Apple notes that you might not be able to use Apple Pay for purchases over £30, depending on the retailer.
The decision to raise the standard debit card contactless limit to £45 is said to have been taken following consultation between the retail sector and the finance and payments industry, and follows similar increases in several other European countries over the past week.
The changes were reportedly already under consideration by the industry, but the process has been expedited as part of the industry’s response to the global viral pandemic to support consumers who choose to pay using contactless.
Stephen Jones, CEO of UK Finance, said:
"The payments industry has been working closely with retailers to be able to increase the contactless payment limit to help customers with their shopping at this critical time for the country.
“This will give more people the choice to opt for the speed and convenience of purchasing goods using their contactless card, helping to cut queues at the checkout."
UK Finance notes that the new limits could take some time to be introduced across all retailers, but eventually they'll offer people another way to pay shopping bills without handling money or touching payment terminals, which should help in the fight against the current viral outbreak.
Of course, in the meantime U.K. consumers spending more than £45 can still use Chip & Pin, cash, and biometric-authenticated mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, where accepted.
Disney+ today officially launched in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria.
The premium streaming service is accessible via web browser, on Amazon Fire devices, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV (4K or HD), iOS devices, Android, Google Chromecast, Xbox One, PS4, and smart TVs from LG, Sony, Samsung, and Vizio. You can download the iPhone and iPad apps here.
The subscription price in the U.K. and across Europe is £5.99/€6.99 per month, or £59.99/€69.99 for an annual subscription.
Over 500 feature films and over 7,500 shows are available on the service including new original content like the critically acclaimed "The Mandalorian" and "The World According To Jeff Goldblum," along with timeless classics like "Lady and the Tramp," "Star Wars," and the entire Pixar library.
Disney+ has been available in the U.S. for a while now, but subscribers should note that there will be some content differences in the European offering because of licensing issues.
Due to the anticipated high load on the continent's broadband infrastructure because of a surge in remote working, Disney+ is following other digital video services by streaming at an intentionally lowered bitrate, so picture quality won't be as good as some viewers will be expecting.
It's unclear how long Disney intends to limit video quality, but Netflix said last Thursday that it plans to implement similar measures for 30 days, following a request from the European Union.
The launch of Disney+ has been delayed in France by two weeks on request of the French government – Disney+ will now launch in the country the week of April 7.
Disney says the service will launch later this summer in additional Western Europe markets, including Belgium, the Nordics, and Portugal. Disney+ has been available in the Netherlands since September, when it launched there as a pilot trial.
In a Geekbench 5 test, the 11-inch 2020 iPad Pro earned a single-core score of 1114 and a multi-core score of 4654, which is close to the Geekbench scores of the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2018.
The 11-inch iPad Pro has an aggregate single-core Geekbench 5 score of 1113 and a multi-core score of 4608. Like the A12X, the A12Z is an 8-core chip running at 2.48GHz.
The new 2020 iPad Pro pulled ahead a little in Metal scores, earning a 9894 Metal score, up from the 9020 score in the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2018. That's no surprise, though, because the A12Z features an 8-core GPU instead of the 7-core GPU that was in the A12X.
Antutu tests were also conducted, showing lower scores than prior models in the memory category, though the test may not be optimized for the new models and the iOS 13.4 update. CPU was 187648, GPU was 348519, and Memory was 71476 vs. CPU 184553, GPU 357335, and Memory 90598 for the 11-inch 2018 model.
More testing will need to be done to confirm whether there are notable differences in CPU speed between the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models, but for now, it looks like any gains are modest.
The new iPad Pro models ship with iOS 13.4, which is set to be released by Apple tomorrow, so new iPad Pro owners will not need to upgrade. Most people who ordered a new iPad Pro on the day they were introduced will receive their shipments on Wednesday, March 25.
An original Apple Computer Inc. sign created around 1978 with Apple's well-known rainbow logo is set to be auctioned off later this week.
Measuring in at four feet by five feet, the sign is said to be one of the earliest Apple retail signs and was displayed by an Apple authorized reseller who first learned about Apple after attending a 1976 computer conference.
The sign is yellowed and the description says there are "a few surface marks," but overall, the rainbow colors are said to be bright and in good condition. The sign will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on March 26, and the starting price is $20,000.
macOS versions of apps can now be included as part of a universal purchase, which allows customers to purchase a single app (or in-app purchase) that works across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Apple says that developers can get ready to use the feature by assigning a single bundle ID for apps in Xcode and setting up their app record for universal purchase using App Store Connect.
A single purchase option for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps was added in the Xcode 11.4 beta, which was first released in February. After developers have implemented single purchase options, customers will be able to buy one app that works across all of their Apple devices.
With the option to make a purchase of an app that works on all devices, Apple is unifying the categories in the iOS App Store and macOS App Stores, so there will be minor changes coming to the categories available in Apple's App Stores.
With most of Apple's corporate employees working from home at the current time, the Apple Park campus in Cupertino is nearly abandoned.
Drone footage shot recently by drone pilot Duncan Sinfield looks similar to drone videos shot before Apple Park opened, with no visible people on the campus and parking lots abandoned.
Apple employees worldwide have been working at home since March 8, though there are likely still employees on the Apple Park campus who have essential roles at the company.
Apple employees with non-essential roles are required to stay at home under Santa Clara County's shelter-in-place order.
Verizon today announced that it is adding an additional 15GB of LTE data to all consumer and small business plans automatically to support its customers who are currently working from home.
The 15GB of data will be available from March 25 to April 30, with Verizon adding 15GB of data to postpaid metered customers, prepaid customers, and Jetpack owners automatically. For those with an unlimited data plan, the extra data can be used as hotspot data.
Verizon is offering the extra data to all consumer wireless plans available since 2015, and for small business customers with 50 lines or less.
Verizon is also waiving overage charges and has pledged not to terminate service for customers who are unable to pay at this time.
"We understand the hardships that many of our customers are facing, and we're doing our part to ensure they have broadband internet connectivity during this unprecedented time," said Ronan Dunne, CEO Verizon Consumer Group. "With so many Americans working and learning remotely from home, having access to reliable and affordable internet is more important than ever before."
For new low-income who subscribe to Verizon's Lifeline discount program, Verizon is waiving fees for the next two months.
Apple is today rolling out a new Get Up! Mix algorithmic playlist that joins existing playlists like Chill Mix, New Music Mix, Friends Mix, and Favorites Mix.
The new Get Up! Mix is full of "happy-making, smile-finding, sing-alonging" music, and will be updated each week with new songs curated by Apple Music editors, according to Engadget.
Apple is still rolling out the new Get Up! Mix, but once available, it will be in the "For You" tab alongside other playlists that are updated weekly.
Alongside the Get Up! Mix, Apple is debuting a new Home Office DJ playlist that has songs tailored to people who are working from home at the current time.
Located in the "Browse" section of Apple Music, the playlist features songs from The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Halsey, and more. Apple says it is an "uptempo, easygoing" playlist that focuses on recent pop, dance, hip-hop and RB songs.
In related news, Beats 1 radio DJs are now broadcasting from their homes, using FaceTime to conduct interviews with musicians like Elton John and Hayley Williams, with some of the programs to be recorded on iPhones.
Apple has asked that all employees who are able to do so work from home at this time.
At least one of the iPhone models that's coming in 2023 will feature a "periscope" lens, according to information shared by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often provides accurate insight into Apple's plans.
Periscope lens technology is already built into some smartphones on the market, giving us an idea of what we can expect from the iPhone feature when it launches. A periscope lens offers optical zoom capabilities not otherwise possible in a smartphone camera, allowing for 5x or even 10x optical zoom.
First and foremost, Kuo has had little to say about the feature set that might be included when Apple adopts periscope lens technology. Due to the lack of information, we have no idea at this time what Apple's periscope lens might be capable of, aside from an increase in optical zoom capabilities. Other sources have confirmed that Apple is working on periscope lens technology, but no concrete details have emerged.
The maximum zoom range for iPhone models at the current time is 3x, but that's set to change when periscope lens technology comes out.
How a Periscope Lens Works
It's not clear how Apple plans to implement a periscope lens, but in general, the technology uses a prism or mirror to refract light onto the lens sensor for magnification purposes, with the mechanics of the lens built into the inside of the smartphone instead of the outside like a traditional zoom lens for a DSLR.
Periscope lens technology has advanced enough that in smartphones, the lenses are compact and small enough to fit into a normal lens enclosure and don't even take up too much internal space. Depending on the build of the phone and internal space available, a periscope lens could theoretically be quite long, allowing for impressive levels of optical zoom.
Another look inside the Huawei P30 Pro and its periscope lens
Optical vs. Digital Zoom
The iPhone's telephoto lens is limited to 3x optical zoom, but digital zoom is available up to 10x. Optical zoom capabilities use the lens to capture a close-up image, so pictures taken with optical zoom remain crisp and clear.
Digital zoom is basically cropping in to an image taken with a wider-angle lens, resulting in blurriness and artifacts that often make the photo undesirable due to the lack of detail.
The iPhone 14 Pro models offer 0.5x zoom (ultra wide-angle lens) and 1x zoom (wide-angle lens) alongside the 3x telephoto lens. With a periscope lens, Apple would presumably bump up the telephoto lens capabilities to allow it to zoom in further than 3x.
The periscope lens would likely be limited to the telephoto camera, as this technology works best in a single lens situation. So you'd have a single camera that can zoom in super far alongside other more standard wide-angle and ultra wide-angle cameras.
Existing Smartphones with Periscope Lenses
Periscope-style lenses for advanced optical zooming capabilities are trending right now, and several manufacturers have implemented the technology. Apple's main competitor, Samsung, has introduced several Galaxy Ultra devices with with hybrid 10x optical zoom capabilities.
Huawei has come out with the P30 Pro, which also offers 5x true optical zoom and 10x hybrid optical zoom, and the company is rumored to be working on a P40 Pro that has even more advanced true 10x optical zoom capabilities..
Huawei P30 Pro 10x hybrid optical zoom via DxOMark
Samsung calls the zoom functionality in its smartphones "Space Zoom" and it enables up to 100x digital zoom. The periscope lens itself uses a folded 4x telephoto lens combined with a 48-megapixel sensor, which can swap between 4x and 10x zoom. Samsung's zoom feature is technically a hybrid option because it uses some sensor cropping for the 10x zoom.
The 100x zoom capability uses digital zooming technology that we thought worked quite well up to 30x, but is not particularly useful at 100x. Apple, like Samsung, could combine digital zoom with optical zoom for a similar effect.
So far, periscope zoom lenses in smartphones that are truly 10x are available in limited quantities, but the technology is certainly on the verge of expanding and should be even more advanced by the time Apple is ready to build it into a smartphone in 2023.
6X Optical Zoom?
According to Kuo, Apple will implement 6x optical zoom technology when it adopts periscope lenses.
Apple Patents for Periscope Lens Technology
Apple has patented technology related to periscoping smartphone camera lenses, so this is certainly something the company has experimented with and considered.
A 2016 patent, for example, describes a folded telephoto camera lens system that includes multiple lenses with refractive power and a light path folding element in the form of a mirror.
According to the description included in the patent, light would be channeled into the camera through a primary lens, bounced off of the included mirror in the smartphone, and then would be sent to a secondary lens that moves up and down for the purpose of zooming in.
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Hyundai was one of the first brands officially announced as a CarPlay partner back in 2014, and the feature is now available across pretty much all of the carmaker's lineup. I recently spent some time with CarPlay and Hyundai's native infotainment system in the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata, and I've been impressed with not only Hyundai's CarPlay implementation but also just how much technology in general Hyundai has managed to include in the Sonata for its price.
The 2020 Sonata starts at $23,600 and is available in four trim levels, topping out with the Limited trim at nearly $34,000 plus destination charges. My test vehicle was the high-end Limited trim, which comes with all of the bells and whistles Hyundai offers without any additional packages needed, with the exception of a $300 upcharge for the Quartz White paint and optional accessories like floor mats and cargo customization. A traditional hybrid version of the redesigned Sonata with an available solar-panel roof should be available in the coming months.
Technology and Safety Features
The 2020 Sonata is packed with technology, offering nearly every popular safety feature, including many of them even on the base SE trim. Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, driver attention warning, and smart cruise with stop and go are standard on all trims, while SEL and higher trims add blind spot collision avoidance and rear cross traffic avoidance.
Video feed of left-side blind spot
At the top end, the Limited trim includes parking collision avoidance, highway drive assist (which is an option on the SEL Plus trim), and a very convenient blind view monitor that pops up a video feed of your blind spot anytime you activate the turn signal. The video appears right in the gauge cluster and makes it very easy to check exactly what's next to your vehicle, a significant step up from the traditional blind spot monitor that only illuminates a light if an object is detected.
Standard gauge cluster view
Speaking of the gauge cluster, the Limited and SEL Plus trims come with a nice all-digital 12.3-inch screen, and it's available as part of the convenience package on the SEL trim. The Limited trim also includes a head-up display for even more information available at a glance without needing to take your eyes off the road.
And of course, there's the Limited-only "Smart Park" feature made famous with a Super Bowl ad this year, which lets you remote start the car and move it slowly forward or backward without you even needing to be in the car. Hyundai markets it as a feature for letting you get the car in or out of tight parking spaces, and while it feels like mostly a gimmick to me, it's another sign of the semi-autonomous technologies that continue to roll out across many car manufacturers.
Infotainment
When it comes to infotainment, the base Sonata comes with an 8-inch screen, but my Limited trim includes a larger 10.25-inch widescreen display with built-in navigation. The larger display is also available on the stepped-down SEL Plus trim as an option if you add the $2,750 tech package that also includes a sunroof, LED interior lights, premium Bose audio, and highway drive assist. CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims, regardless of display size.
Home screen icon view
Hyundai has rolled out a revamped infotainment in the 2020 Sonata, and it's a massive improvement. It offers a clean look with layouts and designs that will feel familiar to any smartphone user. Customizability is embraced throughout the system, with the ability to edit the home screen icon and widget layouts, and this customizability extends throughout the vehicle systems with a vast array of options accessible through the infotainment system.
Home screen widget view
Similar to CarPlay, the Hyundai infotainment system offers a couple of different home screen views, starting with a dashboard-style screen that lets you customize widgets such as navigation, audio, weather, and more. A swipe on the screen switches over to an icon-based home screen that gives you access to all of the system functions. You'll find all of the usual functions here, including data on your driving performance, a handy app for recording voice memos, and even a "Sounds of Nature" function that lets you pipe relaxing sounds like a forest scene, sea waves, rain, or a crackling fireplace throughout the car.
Sounds of Nature app
There's really only one tactile hardware control, and that's the volume knob, but there are several capacitive buttons on either side of the display. You can't really find them by feel as you would be able to do with physical buttons, but at least they make it easy to jump to frequently used infotainment functions without needing to navigate through the system's UI. There's also a dedicated "star" button that can be configured to offer one-touch access to CarPlay, for example.
Configuring the "star" button to activate CarPlay
Built-in navigation is provided by HERE, and it proved to be a capable system with a solid POI database that was able to pull up nearly every destination I attempted to find. It's also easy to search by POI categories, set shortcuts for multiple frequent destinations, and select your route options.
Built-in navigation search screen
The navigation system provides a side-by-side view with a larger screen showing your overall upcoming route and a smaller side panel with specific information for your next upcoming turn, but you can also drag over another side panel to essentially divide the widescreen display into thirds and simultaneously show other infotainment system data like audio.
Built-in navigation with split-screen view
CarPlay
CarPlay on the 2020 Sonata requires a wired connection, which is still very common among car manufacturers, although many are starting to move toward wireless connectivity options in their next-generation infotainment systems that are just starting to roll out.
CarPlay home screen in widescreen
Perhaps my favorite thing about CarPlay in the 2020 Sonata is the ability to set a user preference for widescreen or side-by-side screens. Widescreen infotainment systems are becoming more and more popular, and manufacturers have typically fallen into one of two camps when it comes to supporting CarPlay in them: let CarPlay take over the entire screen or limit it to a portion of the screen while leaving a smaller side panel to display information from the native system.
Hyundai lets the user choose, although it's not a setting you'll be able to easily switch while driving as it's managed within the settings for the connected phone.
Apple Maps in split-screen view with native audio widget
Regardless of which option you choose, you'll see a typical CarPlay experience with interactions happening through either the expansive touchscreen or Siri. Maps in particular looks great on the widescreen, but even at the smaller size you'll have a reasonable view of what's around you.
Apple Maps in split-screen view with native weather widget
The touchscreen is responsive in both the native system and CarPlay, and I experienced no issues with CarPlay connectivity in my testing. The capacitive buttons on either side of the display make it simple to hop out to the native system, while the customizable star button makes for one-touch access to get back into CarPlay.
CarPlay "Now Playing" screen in widescreen
As is typical for steering wheel controls, there's a single voice control button that serves dual duty. A short press brings up the Hyundai voice system while a long press activates Siri.
Sonata steering wheel controls with voice/Siri button at top left of left cluster
Climate Controls
Despite the raft of features included in the 2020 Sonata, Hyundai has done a lot to minimize the complexity of the controls. Climate controls thankfully remain hardware-based and separate from the infotainment system, and it's a relatively clean setup that even integrates controls for the heated and ventilated front seats.
Climate controls
Hyundai has made fairly heavy use of space-saving switches for things like A/C mode controls, fan speeds, and drive modes, making for a simpler layout than other systems that use multiple buttons for each function.
Ports and Wireless Charging
The Sonata features a pair of USB-A ports up front on all trims, with one for data and one for charging only. A single charge-only USB-A port for rear passengers is included standard on the Limited and SEL Plus trims, while it's part of a $1200 convenience package on the SEL trim. It's not available at all on the base SE trim.
Rear USB port
Hyundai also offers a Qi wireless phone charging on some trims of the 2020 Sonata, with the charger coming standard on the Limited trim and as an option on the SEL Plus trim. It's not available on the SEL or SE trims.
Front USB ports
I experienced a bit of quirkiness with the charger, as it was not able to charge my iPhone 11 Pro Max with Apple's Smart Battery Case. Upon setting my phone charging pad, my phone would vibrate as if charging had started, but then it would repeat every few seconds and the charging status light above the charger would never illuminate.
Qi wireless phone charger
I removed the Smart Battery Case and tried with the bare phone, and charging worked fine. I also tried with an iPhone XS Max with and without the official Smart Battery Case for that model and everything worked fine.
Convenient phone storage slot between cupholders
The Sonata offers another handy phone storage option, and that's a slot in the center console between the two cupholders. A phone sits upright in the slot, making it easy to grab on your way out of the car, and it's a convenient space-saving solution for holding the phone even while connected to the infotainment system for CarPlay, as long as you put the phone in upside down.
Wrap-up
The 2020 Sonata packs an impressive amount of technology for its price points, and I'm looking forward to seeing these capabilities and the revamped infotainment system make their way across the rest of the Hyundai lineup.
While I'd like to see wireless CarPlay, the wired solution works well and integrates smoothly with the new infotainment system. The spacious widescreen display available on higher trims is terrific, and I love the amount of customizability Hyundai provides, extending all the way to allowing for standard or full-screen CarPlay.
The 2020 Sonata starts at a reasonable $23,600 an maxes out at just about $34,000, even with all of that technology built in. Aside from an engine that lacks some of the pep found in similarly sized luxury cars, the Sonata in a higher-end trim feels like a much more expensive sedan than it is.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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macOS versions of apps can now be included as part of a universal purchase, which allows customers to purchase a single app (or in-app purchase) that works across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
