WWDC22: Analysts Say CarPlay Enhancements Show Apple’s Auto Ambitions
2022.06.07 17:02
WWDC22: Analysts Say CarPlay Enhancements Show Apple’s (AAPL) Auto Ambitions
By Senad Karaahmetovic
Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) week-long Worldwide Developers Conference started on Monday with the biggest announcements being the new iOS 16 for the iPhone as well as the latest software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Regarding new products, the company also announced the release of its two new laptops which will run on M2 chips.
The developers will have the first right to access the new set of software updates code-named Ventura, before the wide release for the public, expected this fall. However, the public users will be able to install the beta version in July.
The biggest changes coming to the iPhone will be the introduction of customizable lock screens with a personalized clock, widgets like weather, activity, and other data of choice.
Apple also launched its own Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services.
Citi analyst Jim Suva especially focused on CarPlay enhancements.
“We expect these enhancements to further Apple’s ambitions in the auto industry,” the analyst said in a client note.
Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall said the most important announcement for short term earnings was the M2 redesign of the MacBook Air. The analyst also discussed CarPlay enhancements.
“We believe this could eventually lead to Apple providing services leveraging car sensor platforms. The enhancements also look like they will significantly improve the CarPlay user experience which we already see as positive.”
UBS analyst David Vogt said that the AR/VR omission surprised him.
“While an AR/VR hardware product was not expected, the market expected Apple to introduce a new software development environment ahead of a hardware launch later this year/early 2023. Despite the modest disappointment, on the margin,” Vogt told clients.
