Today’s newer cars are shipped with increasingly bigger screens and support Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto. I myself am an owner of a flagship BMW Electric car, equipped with a large screen that is perfect for media consumption. However, I, along with millions of other Apple CarPlay and Android Auto users, find myself unable to utilize this feature fully due to Apple CarPlay's and Android Auto’s restrictions on video playback when the vehicle is parked. This limitation becomes particularly frustrating during long charging sessions or while waiting for picking up kids from school concerts or waiting outside mall for wife to come out after her shopping trip. I am sure most of us would have similar situations waiting in our new toys but unable to catch up on our favorite shows on big screens. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have revolutionized how we interact with our vehicles, providing seamless integration between our Phones and car infotainment systems. However, the restriction on video playback when parked seems unnecessary and limits the potential of this technology.

According to Statista, as of 2020, there were approximately 40 million cars in the United States equipped with Apple CarPlay and  Android Auto. This means millions of users are potentially affected by this limitation (source: Statista).

Further, this function is not something which is deemed illegal. There are millions of vehicles in Unites States today which support this function. For example, Back in the day when DVD Players were popular, Town and Country from Chrysler allowed the driver to watch the video when parked and the video continued for the passengers when the vehicle started moving. In today’s world, Tesla allows video playback when parked. You go to any Tesla supercharger and most of the people are playing YouTube. Tesla also supports other streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu. 

This proves that the video playback while parked was a function which was available to consumers which Apple CarPlay and Android Auto took away. If safety was a concern, NHTSA would not allow any manufacturer to offer this feature, including Tesla. 

I believe Apple and Google are great companies, but here they went a bit too far in controlling what we are allowed to do with our cars, and with more and more manufacturers are making the switch to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, their ability to control entertainment options reaches far and beyond, not just USA.

I believe that allowing video playback while parked would significantly enhance user experience without compromising safety since the vehicle would be stationary. It could even contribute positively by providing entertainment options during charging sessions for electric vehicles—a process which can take up to 4-6 hours depending on the model and charger type (source: U.S Department of Energy).

We urge Apple Inc. and Google Inc. to consider revising their policies regarding video playback on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when vehicles are parked. By doing so, they will not only improve user satisfaction but also stay ahead in terms of offering comprehensive in-car entertainment solutions.

Please sign this petition if you believe in enhancing our experiences within our vehicles through more flexible use of technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.