CarPlay in 2015 A3?
 

I believe that Audi was discussing integrating CarPlay into their 2015 models. Will there be a firmware update to any of the existing models? I understand that Pioneer is allowing aftermarket units firmware updates to CarPlay.

I don't have my S3 yet, but I believe I have seen in photos or videos that a button on the steering wheel is programmable. If someone could look in the A3/S3 MMI manuals and see what is currently possible. I thought that is one of the major parts of CarPlay is the button to activate Siri. Press button to activate Siri and give your commands to the iPhone.

THIS WOULD BE THE OFFICIAL WORD...

Jun 30, 2014 , HERNDON, Va.
Audi will bring Apple CarPlay to new models


- With Apple CarPlay, Audi drivers will be able to access the power and simplicity of their iPhone to bring an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages
- Integrations in Audi models will allow full control of CarPlay features using the advanced Audi MMI® touchpad, voice and dial inputs
- CarPlay will begin appearing in new models first released for Europe in 2015, for North American markets in early 2016

HERNDON, Va., June 30, 2014 – Audi will begin offering Apple CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car, in all-new models scheduled to arrive in Europe next year and in U.S. showrooms by 2016.

CarPlay will integrate with Audi's built-in controls, including the innovative Audi MMI touch system, as well as dial controls and voice controls to easily activate Siri. This gives Audi drivers a variety of ways to minimize distraction on the road while accessing their iPhone to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and send or receive messages. In CarPlay-equipped models, Audi motorists will simply connect their iPhone to begin using their apps through the car’s native controls. Drivers also have the option to easily switch from the CarPlay view and the Audi infotainment functions as desired.

“Audi owners have high expectations when it comes to integrating access to mobile devices in vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “CarPlay is immediately recognizable to iPhone users and will be a great added benefit for our customers. That’s why it was essential for Audi and Apple engineers to work closely together to seamlessly bring the capabilities of CarPlay to the advanced interfaces of the Audi MMI system."

The addition of CarPlay shows the commitment Audi maintains to give its drivers a broad array of choices in automotive electronics. Audi also has a proven track record of integrating access to mobile devices in its vehicles while focusing first on avoiding distractions for drivers.

For more information about CarPlay, visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/.

- End -

Yes, the button is programmable (I have it set-up to change the drive select settings).

This might be why Siri doesn't work with my MMI (S3) where my Q7 MMI works fine with Sir, there might be something that was supposed to be implemented but wasn't, maybe it was CarPlay.

How cool would that be?

Honestly, I can't believe how long it took VW group… they've been spending (probably) millions for their own OS, and it sucks compared to the worst smart phone. About time they 'outsourced' this… freakin' car companies, always 5 years behind.

To be fair, we are talking about the same company that didn't include a USB port in the damn A3. Nothing screams 'technology first!' like a proprietary cable that comes standard with a port to connect to an iphone 4...

I love my A3, but there are a few things that make me want to bang my head against a door (having to pay $$$$$ for options that was standard on my no-option '06 IS250 - push button start, interior led lighting, defrost on side mirrors, dimming rearview mirror, heated seats)

And Audi includes items as standard that others might have as options. I don't agree with how Audi packages options or that some options are not available in certain models, but you will pay one way or another for a German car experience.

I hear ya,but you got me thinking, I wonder if Germany/EU don't use these features, so maybe these are additional model change costs to have them in the US version of their cars. It seems like most German cars don't have some of these ubiquitous features. We do, I think adopt new devices sooner than most of Europe. (?)

Or, the mother ship back in Germany is seriously out of touch with The US driver...

Or, most likely, they don't give a damn and don't want to stoop to the US market trends.

Just grabbing a straws, I know.

Any news on CarPlay?!?! Come on Audi :)

I agree, Lexus packs their cars with luxury options because they can't compete with german driving experience.

I don't know if this has been posted yet:

From AOA website:

"Apple CarPlay is designed to improve the integration of Apple iPhones with the vehicle, and Audi has indicated that CarPlay will be available on some all-new Audi models arriving in U.S. showrooms by 2016. Audi signed on first with Google and its rival Android Auto system first. Apple first announced plans for “iOS in the Car” at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013. Early in 2014, the tech giant rebranded the system as CarPlay. CarPlay works with the iPhone 5 and any later versions. Designed to reduce distractions for drivers, CarPlay essentially eliminates any need for someone to pick up an iPhone by hand while driving because Audi vehicles will be able to operate the main functions through the Audi connect infotainment system. CarPlay will enable Audi drivers to make phone calls, play music, display maps and receive messages, using the car’s touchpad, buttons and dials or via voice commands."

Interestingly, Android was mentioned too:

"Audi plans to begin introducing Android Auto technology with all-new models it launches in 2016. Audi was a founding member of – and the only luxury brand among them – the Open Automotive Alliance, a coalition of Google and other technology companies and auto-industry leaders that was formed in early 2014 with the objective of bringing the Android platform to cars. Google demonstrated its Android Auto system for the first time at its I/O developer conference in San Francisco later in the year. Android Auto will provide a seamless link for Android mobile car apps to function through Audi connect. Motorists will be able to project apps and services optimized for voice commands and the driving environment, using Audi connect displays and controls optimized for safe and intuitive operation on the road. The Open Automotive Alliance is dedicated to building an open ecosystem around a common digital-tech platform in order to drive innovation in connectivity."

Also found a relatively new video, at least I hadn't seen it before:

Audi's Apple Car Play and Android Auto

CarPlay in 2015 A3?
 

We will see this in the all-new Q7, then in B9 A4, Q5...

The 2016 facelift A6 got 4G LTE but not the Carplay or Android Auto.

I have no confidence will Audi make this technology available retroactively.

Agreed, no way. They are a car manufacturer, they will use it as one of many ingredients to entice people to update to a new model and to compete with or keep up with other automakers.

My expectations are very low but it's not impossible. Audi proudly claims that the new MMI is the "first modular infotainement system" and that it's designed to be upgraded. It actually is a box that you can swap and it wasn't the case with previous MMI generations. *Maybe* the facelifted A3 will support CarPlay and we will be able to upgrade to that new MMI module...

Technically, the modularity of the MIB housings might make an MMI upgrade possible, but it seems Audi introduced MIB for their benefit -- not ours.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a10226/audi-mmi/

I would be surprised if it wasn't just a software update, the current batch of A3's with MMI nav have everything necessary (fast cpu, wi-fi, high-res screen, etc) to do android auto and apple carplay.

heres a vote for android play. just saw another video featuring car play and android audio and the android audio looks a lot better. the problem is that youll need a recent model android phone and at MINIMUM 5.0.1

Contradicting myself, I do agree with your hope... and it's the ONLY hope at that. Fingers crossed for sure.

Not sure if this is old news, but on the recently-released list, only 2 Audi models (both 2017) are on Apple's site as supporting Carplay: Q7 and A4, despite supporting it on a crapload of 2016 VW models.

CarPlay - Available Models - Apple

since the VW "MMI" is basically the same thing that are in Audi's wouldn't you just be able to use a VW box in our Audis with the MMI version 1? Some VCD coding would have to take place, but considering its all the same and same platform?? I'm sure more complicated however.

I'm hopeful because of this video:


As well as this article from cnet:

The A3's Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system is powered by Nvidia's Tegra 2 processor and features crisply rendered 3D topographical map data for the navigation system and snappy, sharp menus. You'll hardly ever catch this system so much as stuttering as it jumps back and forth among navigation, audio, and telephony. As OEM infotainment goes, this is cutting-edge stuff and it will only get sharper thanks to a modular hardware design that will allow the automaker to stay on its toes when updating the tech in future revisions.

Right now, it's packing the Tegra 2 and 4G LTE connectivity, but next year it could be rocking a more powerful brain or a faster connection. In a world where automotive product cycles were once measured in decades, Audi can update the A3's tech every few months. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be able to roll into your Audi dealership and update your car's hardware, but it doesn't totally rule out such future post-release improvements either.

2015 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro review - Roadshow

Dave