Jaguar-Land Rover has joined the connectivity rush and announced that it will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in its 2019 Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV, as well as make it available in some of the other 2019-edition vehicles on its roster, as a $300 add-on.
By “some”, the company specifies that it means those 2019 models equipped with the InControl Touch Pro or Touch Pro Duo infotainment systems with navigation and Wi-Fi.
In the first of those systems, buyers of 2019 models will also get voice command capability for navigation. The company also promised some visual updates for the main touchscreen and new shortcut buttons on the screen.
Unlike Mazda and its new option to retrofit older models made by that manufacturer, Jaguar-Land Rover will not make it possible to obtain Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in its older models, even those equipped with either of the TouchPro systems.
Recent surveys have indicated that integration of these two smartphone apps are becoming a major decisional factor for new-car buyers, so it’s not surprising to see the laggards in the industry hurry to make up the distance they’ve lost to the early adopters among the manufacturers. What is a bit surprising is to see that $300 charge slapped on to get a system that several manufacturers are now offering as straight-up standard equipment.
In any case, we expect that in a few years, compatibility will be as ubiquitous a feature as backup cameras are now.