UPDATE: Proton has confirmed that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will not be added to existing cars via an over-the-air update.
Another Proton event, another round of questioning on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (AACP). At the ongoing Proton S70 media drive, the media asked for updates on AACP – which in case you forgot, Proton has confirmed will be coming, although it’s not ready in time for the S70.
Newly appointed head of R&D Mohd Haizam gave a straight answer that was to the point. “Today we’re still developing AACP with our supplier ACO Tech. It’s not on the S70, we go for the X90, but it’s going to be on our next model, coming soon,” he said, pointing out that sideloading software into the IHU voids warranty.
Proton’s default spokesman, deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah then took the floor, sharing about the challenges Proton faced with AACP. He explained that while some of the hardware (in current cars) is ready for AACP, ‘everything requires license’.
“Whenever an OEM produces, a license is required. The license needs certain approval, and of course, at the end of the day, it’s how much we have to pay for the license. But the licensing is resolved, now we’re ready for one model (AACP introduction) starting this year,” he said, adding that AACP introduction will follow ‘protocol’.
What this effectively means is that the X90 SUV – Proton’s flagship model that already has hardware capable of AACP – is set to be the first model in the range to get AACP. Customers can expect an official announcement of an OTA software update in the near future. The next new model from Proton will have AACP from the factory.
The S70? The hardware is AACP ready, but Proton wants to avoid a ‘langkah bendul’ situation (Roslan’s words) and any update for the sedan will only come after big brother X90. What about older Geely-Proton models such as the X50 and X70? Roslan said that there are challenges from various aspects when it comes to retrofitting AACP. Basically, it’s down to hardware, cost and licensing.
Factory bro. From X90 group pic.twitter.com/7Zfa3pBKdZ
— Abah (@chairmanGLC) January 31, 2024
“I wont mention which model, but some models, the hardware is unable to be upgraded. Although we upgrade the software, the hardware, the chip, cannot carry AACP. Because the base of the IHU is based on China’s requirements, and they’re not very good with AACP, they use their own (software).
“Also, when we brought (in) the cars, we were stuck with the chips. Then when we talk about chips, the past two years, now it’s only stable, we were struggling to get the chips,” he said, referring to the global chip shortage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now subsided.
Then there’s the issue of licensing. The Proton deputy CEO cum Proton Edar head acknowledges that customers will compare this situation with the ease of buying an AACP-enabled head unit off the shelf or online, but says that Proton is bound by the rules. “Buy from Shopee, they are not OEMs, they’re not bound by regulations. When it comes to OEMs, we have to follow the rules,” he said.
“I cannot say yes or no at the moment, but we’re keeping it open to address customer expectation,” he concluded. From how it sounds, there could be hope for recent models such as the S70 and the X70 MC from 2022, just don’t keep it too high.
We’ve previously looked into why AACP – a common function in other cars and now available in Peroduas – seems to be such a hurdle for Proton. The last time we talked to Roslan, he alluded to the geopolitical tension and tech rivalry between the US and China as a factor.
“Where is the source of this model (S70)? Where Google is not allowed. How to befriend Google for the license. And it seems like Google also does not want to be good friends with certain OEMs. We’re still discussing with Google to work with us, and it’s similar with Apple. To get the license is a bit of a hassle compared to other OEMs. The geopolitics make it difficult for us,” he said in November.
It must be noted though that Chinese brands such as Chery, GWM and BYD all have AACP in their cars here. Does Google or Apple have a specific issue with Geely then?
As to why AACP is not a given, first, you’ll need to understand how it’s like where Proton’s partner Geely is from. As many of you know, the services from Google, Meta and many of the other Western tech giants aren’t available in China, which has its own local champions and equivalents.
Chinese users simply prefer their own apps and services. Navigation apps like Alibaba’s AutoNavi and music streaming services like Tencent’s QQ Music take the place of Waze/Google Maps and Spotify, for instance. These services are usually either natively integrated into the car’s infotainment system or can be used in indigenous screen mirroring services like Baidu CarLife.
As such, there’s little incentive for Chinese carmakers to invest in AACP-compatible systems, and while some brands have made the effort, Geely isn’t one of them. The fact Proton is still working on it today is probably because AACP was not in the company’s original vision for its IHU. Anyway, if the lack of AACP is a dealbreaker for you, it will very soon cease to be a reason.
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So basically when they promised the previous owners that they would get AA they were just straight up lying then. Good to know.
As always he tok kok. China cars especially the new EV ones have AACP, it is all about which head unit or system you guys put it. Just admit Proton put a cheap lousy China badu interface, or just say la you Palestinian lovers boycotting Google and Apple
If nons like you love to bring race and religion in every matter, its no wonder why PN is winning more seats
I am Pro-Palestine but hate the whole china. What do you say about that?
Say something I’m giving up on you
I’d say you should join hamas, fight their cause and do the religion proud
that’s a bit weird , you’re anti china mainland , a honkonger?
That should be the way. Kalo nk boikot, sila boikot habis habisan. Jgn setakat boikot mekdi, kepci & milo je. Buang korang punya fon android & apple. Jgn guna lagi google, wasap, fb & ig korang
P1 intentionally deny AA.
Why? Cos they know people will gonna install the AA ,anyway.
So,no need provide warranty,lor ..this brilliant strategy save cost…aiyoh…u guys still dont know meh?
I thought Albert Einstein is super brainy,until scientists study his brain.
NOw,Bolehland scientists gonna study this marketing genious.
They know S70 will still sell like hotcakes even without Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is why they’re not making a real conscious effort to build in backwards compatibility for even an OTA, while X90 can get it OTA? What?!
Well because X90 is lowest sales
They did not offer AAAC because they listen to the people. They offer because the sales for this model is so bad that they have no choice.
Any modification would render the car inoperable.
Apa, update apa apa pun tak ade org nak gajah yg lemah ni
Cherry, GWM and BYD all have these as standard in Malaysia market. These are Indian car makers?
Hakkinen
The video shown is not official aacp i think because you need to insert “box” and also it has very advanced settings. Official aacp won’t have those advance settings
So i was right lol proton officially supplied autokit apk. It this even legal?
Basically it’s a big F U to most of the previous owners except Proton X90. On a separate note, why announce this now? If i had booked the latest S70 with no clear promise for AC or AA coming, i might as well cancel my booking and book later when the feature is introduced, hampering sales. A bad PR in the making?
semalam resale value.. hari ni labfkah bendul pulak. alasan apakah ini
The IHU “developed” locally leaves very much to be desired. My x50, since the update to the locally developed system, is so slow and the voice notification…. have no idea what it is trying to say….. because it comes on intermittently. Truly, I think the problem could be the locally developed software or IHU or operating system.
By the way, geopolitical…. seems more of Malaysia vs Google? As Volve has had AACP very early on… and it comes as standard in every model. Then again, its not Malaysia…. as other brands have no problem adopting AACP in their model range. So its the local supplier of the system/software….. are they competent? From the experience, it leaves very much to be desired.
Call me greedy but I expect wireless AA and CP. I could see the wireless settings there! In the video.
Wow, can be so long winded when it comes to why cannot have AACP, when what consumer wants to hear is it can be done.
Everything is down to cost, regardless of licensing and whatever. If Proton hasn’t budgeted in the cost, just give an upgrade option for existing car with owner top up.
No need to bring up chip shortage lah this that. Because ultimately, is still whether Proton is willing to foot the bill to upgrade for existing cars
My 2 cent. Yes, BYD has AACP. But only very recently (ie 2 months ago). BYD promised it way back in 1st qtr of 2023, then moved to 3rd qtr. Finally, it was available nearly at the end of qtr4 2023. Some thing’s going on between Chinese car manufacturers and Google.
Yes??
Who cares , bought the x50 because they said AACP will be a feature soon , now 2024 tukar cerita .. void warranty also who cares , worse IHU I’ve ever seen in a car
Nanti ada yang pakar boleh tumpang2kan untuk older model
All I see is 1 bendul talking
Thanks for the update. For me, it’s already good enough to stay with the Proton Infotainment System despite having some minor bugs. It’s rare to look for an original player from carmaker with Internet connectivity and built-in Maps services, Weather Forecast, Online Music Streaming services (JOOX & Spotify), etc. It can work as a standalone device without a phone. Investing in ACCP Protocol might be a bonus, but it remains optional for me.
Ada aku kesah? Kalau nak mampus pergi terjunlah! Tak ada siapa yang menghalang!
Butoh la proton/acotech xde update AA ACP