Video streams find a crack in CarPlay's wall with new app
For years, drivers using Apple CarPlay have voiced a desire for more entertainment options, particularly the ability to stream videos while their vehicles are stationary. Apple ignored the requests and maintained a tight grip on the types of apps allowed on its in-car infotainment system, sticking mainly to navigation, music, calls, and messaging. This restriction resulted in the emergence of aftermarket adapters that essentially mirror Android devices onto the CarPlay screen, offering a bit of a workaround to access a wider range of applications.
A new development has just surfaced directly within the Apple App Store. An application called Sidecar has managed to slip through the app review process with an update that includes a built-in web browser capable of playing video content.
The Sidecar app itself isn't entirely new to the App Store; it previously existed as a utility tool with CarPlay integration. The new bit is a hidden web browsing function that allows users to input specific URLs and stream video content directly through the CarPlay interface. To use this feature, users must first enter the desired website address into the Sidecar app on their iPhone. Subsequently, within the CarPlay interface, they can navigate to the web within Sidecar, which then loads the specified website and enables video playback.
The current iteration of the web browser and video player within Sidecar is functional, but it has a lot of room for improvement in terms of user experience and features. It's unlikely to offer the seamless integration and polished performance of dedicated video streaming applications. But its surprising existence within the tightly controlled CarPlay environment fulfills a long-standing user request, albeit in an unofficial way.
Potential users should be aware that this new functionality might be short-lived. Apple has a history of strictly enforcing its CarPlay app guidelines, and it is highly probable that a future update to either CarPlay or the Sidecar app itself could remove the web browsing and video playback capabilities. This situation creates a "buy-it-while-supplies-last" scenario for users keen on this feature, with no guarantee of its continued availability in subsequent versions of the software.
Sidecar is currently available as a free download from the App Store, but accessing the web browser and video playing feature requires a one-time in-app purchase of £7.57. For owners of electric cars and other vehicles equipped with CarPlay, this app is an intriguing, though likely temporary, avenue to expand their in-car entertainment options. How long will Apple tolerate this deviation from its established CarPlay app policy? We bet it won't be long at all.
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