At WWDC 2020, Apple announced its own CarKey feature. This allows users to unlock their cars with the U1 chip on selected iPhones and Apple Watches. Unfortunately, this feature has been introduced very slowly, as only selected BMW models have it. But that is set to change this summer.
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reported in its Power On newsletter that Apple's CarKey feature will be available from other car manufacturers in addition to BMW. Gurman said he had learned that models from Hyundai and the Genesis series "will be introduced by summer." The newsletter states:
Do you remember CarKey, the Apple feature announced a year and a half ago that lets you unlock and start your car using your iPhone's Wallet app? I wouldn't be surprised if you don't know about it, because Apple hasn't talked about the feature in a long time and it only works on select BMW models. Apparently, that's about to change. In line with code findings discovered in iOS 15 a few months ago, I hear that the next cars to support this feature will be models from Hyundai and their Genesis lineup. Apparently, the feature will be rolled out by summer.
Apple and Hyundai: New partnership after dispute?
Gurman points out that this CarKey partnership is "a little unusual, considering that Apple and Hyundai publicly feuded about a year ago over the production of the Apple Car." Early last year, there were a number of reports suggesting that a deal between Hyundai and Apple for the production of the Apple Car was imminent. But a month later, Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia Motors said they were not negotiating with Apple for a self-driving car. In the filings, Hyundai and Kia Motors acknowledged that they "have spoken to several companies about developing autonomous electric cars." Bloomberg suggested at the time that these reports of the partnership "angered Apple, as the company keeps development projects secret for years and controls relationships with suppliers with ruthless efficiency."
How does Apple's CarKey work?
The CarKey function makes it possible to store digital car keys in the Wallet app. Users can use them to lock and unlock a car and start the engine. Authentication via Face ID or Touch ID is required to initiate the process - but there is also an Express mode. Basically, the functionality is the same as Apple Pay. If desired, such keys can be shared temporarily or permanently with friends or family members via iMessage. And the best thing: Even if your iPhone's battery is empty, Car Key will still work for up to five hours thanks to the Power Reserve mode. (Image: Apple)
