Apple Watch delays stall BMW and Porsche car app launches
Automakers including BMW and Porsche have developed Apple Watch apps for remote vehicle functions, but delays to the smartwatch’s release have left their connected car features in limbo.
BMW and Porsche have developed dedicated Apple Watch apps to give owners remote control over key vehicle functions, but delays to the smartwatch’s launch have forced both carmakers to put their connected features on hold.
BMW i Remote and Porsche Car Connect features
BMW’s i Remote app was built to work with the i3 and i8, allowing owners to check battery and charge status, navigate to their parked car, unlock doors, or start climate control remotely. The app also includes a Dynamic Range Map to show if the car can reach a destination on its current charge, plus tools to monitor driving efficiency, CO2 output and service reminders. All these features were ready for launch, but their availability now depends on when the Apple Watch actually reaches customers.
Porsche’s Car Connect app, adapted from its iPhone version, was designed for drivers of 2014 or newer Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and 918 Spyder models fitted with the Car Connect infotainment system. Owners would be able to flash the lights to help find their car in a car park, check vehicle status, and access other connected features from their wrist. Like BMW, Porsche is waiting for the Apple Watch to become available before its app can be used as intended.
Developers and buyers left waiting
Both carmakers had moved quickly to support Apple’s first wearable, aiming to extend their connected car services beyond smartphones. The delay means buyers who expected new levels of remote access to their vehicles must wait, and automaker development teams are left with completed apps that cannot yet be deployed. The situation highlights the risks for carmakers and suppliers that tie their connected services too closely to external hardware timelines.
