Polestar 2 Software Update Brings Wave of New Apple CarPlay Features
Swedish automaker Polestar today announced that it is releasing a software update to all existing Polestar 2 vehicles to add new Apple CarPlay features, including full-screen Apple Maps in the driver display.
Polestar and its parent brand Volvo, which announced this update a couple of weeks ago, appear to be the second automaker to support display of Apple Maps and navigation information projected from CarPlay in the driver display. BMW was the first automaker to include the extended CarPlay feature in its Polestar 2 rival, the BMW i4, in 2021.
Some vehicles with Apple CarPlay already feature limited turn-by-turn directional information fed from Apple Maps on the driver display, but full integration of Apple Maps into the instrument cluster is still very uncommon.
The P2.9 over-the-air update also brings additional phone and media information from Apple CarPlay to to the Polestar 2's home screen tile, support for managing phone calls in Apple CarPlay using the steering wheel buttons, and projection of calls in the driver display.
In addition, the update includes improvements to Polestar's Range Assistant app and the introduction of an integrated YouTube app. The new CarPlay experience and the YouTube app will be installed by default on all newly produced cars.
Apple CarPlay in the Polestar 2 remains wired only, with no support for wireless CarPlay. The Polestar 2 also does not support Apple's EV routing and state of charge integration features, as offered on the Ford Mustang Mach E and Porsche Taycan.
Update: Updated to note that Volvo also announced these features with the same software version.
Popular Stories
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
Apple today added a "Why Upgrade" section to its website, which is aimed at encouraging customers with older iPhones to upgrade to a newer model. The website allows customers to compare the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max. Each comparison shows what new features someone with an older...
Top Rated Comments
... I wish Tesla did this.
I've loved using Tesla's built-in navigation system - I truly think it's industry leading - but Apple's CarPlay truly ties in everything from an iPhone into a car. Have also had some slight issues with Spotify on Tesla, and it would be great to at least have more than one option available.
Minimalist, Scandinavian design inside and out.
Driving dynamics are so fun, the thing handles so well.
Didn't have to deal with dealerships, as you purchase your car on the website (no dealer markups, no BS), direct to consumer.
It's also a hatch, so love the functionality of it as well. Ground clearance is pretty good at 5.9inches (actually more than a Mach E).
And for those that love OPD (one pedal drive), it has the strongest one in the business, and brake calibration/integration is also the best in the business.
I was so waiting for CarPlay to arrive a few OTA updates ago, but honestly i rarely use it. the car's integration with AAOS is so good that i prefer the system's native OS. 'Hey Google' works so much better than SIRI, and is so well integrated into the car's system. Not to mention google maps gives an excellent range estimate on destinations, and % left on return.
I might give it a go after OTA 2.9, now that the maps display is in the driver information display behind the steering wheel, but really happy with AAOS.
Edit: just for more fun facts, in 2009 there was a "Volvo C30 Polestar Concept"