**The Battle of the 'Smartphone on Wheels': Google vs. Apple**

Modern cars are increasingly being compared to "smartphones on wheels" due to their integration of advanced technologies. This development has intensified the competition between Google and Apple, two tech giants vying to dominate this new frontier.

In recent years, aside from design, interior, and engine, software has become a crucial factor for car buyers. Software now controls many aspects of a vehicle, from adaptive cruise control to automatic braking. As a result, buyers are increasingly asking whether they should choose a car that integrates with Google or Apple.

Today's cars operate like "smartphones on wheels," but the challenge is that car manufacturers struggle to create software as advanced as what tech companies offer. Previously, users paid little attention to the software running on their vehicles. However, as connectivity has grown, the car has become a scaled-up mobile device. This is exactly what Google and Apple aim for, leading them into a new battleground following their competition in the Android and iOS markets: Android Automotive vs. CarPlay.

**Google's Progress**

Alphabet’s Google is considered a pioneer in automotive software. Since 2017, it has introduced Android Automotive, an operating system built into the car to manage integrated infotainment systems, rather than just a customized version of Android from smartphones.

Android Automotive has garnered significant attention for its ability to turn screens in various new cars into platforms running custom Android apps for vehicles. With this platform, automakers can also license Google’s apps and services, such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, through a deal known as Google Automotive Services. The platform also collects data from the car, such as speed, battery status, and climate control, to help users better manage their vehicles.

Shortly after its launch, Android Automotive was seen as an excellent replacement for custom manufacturer software. In 2020, the Volvo Polestar 2, the first car running Android Automotive, was sold in the US. Ford is also set to replace its Sync infotainment system with Google's solution next year.

Google has announced partnerships with nearly ten car manufacturers and suppliers, including Stellantis, Honda, and BMW. Some manufacturers view partnering with Google to equip Android Automotive as a beneficial move due to the platform’s frequent updates and rich features. Conversely, Google gains access to millions of Android service users through apps like Maps and Assistant.

**Apple's Response**

Apple has not announced a platform akin to Android Automotive—a deep integration operating system for cars. The company has also been cautious about discussing its plans in this area.

However, in April, it was reported that Apple is developing its own operating system called carOS to manage smart vehicles with features similar to those of Tesla. According to Digitimes, instead of using a third-party solution, Apple will develop its own platform, integrating all control and entertainment features. Like Tesla, this system is expected to be the sole control mechanism for all vehicle functions.

In June, a next-generation CarPlay demo presented at WWDC 2022 hinted at Apple’s ambitions. The company showcased an interface for a future car and announced a lineup of CarPlay partners for 2023, including Volvo, Ford, Honda, Renault, Mercedes, and Porsche.

Experts suggest that Apple’s move indicates the likelihood of introducing an integrated platform at the level of Android Automotive in the near future.

Apple stated that CarPlay will have deep control over certain vehicle features, including speedometers, tachometers, and charge status. According to Isaac Trefz, a former software engineer at BMW, displaying such critical data requires deep physical integration, particularly in terms of hardware control.

Chris Jones, an analyst at Canalys, believes that Apple may have secured some agreements to deeply integrate CarPlay within vehicles. However, due to the company’s stringent requirements, some car manufacturers might be hesitant.

With these developments, experts assess that automotive software will be the next major race for Apple, Google, and other tech companies. However, this competition is not advancing as quickly as in the mobile platform space.

“The automotive industry is very conservative. So, if someone says that vehicle operating systems will explode in the next five years, they might be overly optimistic,” Trefz, who has decades of experience designing hardware and software systems for cars, remarked.