Apple's recent CarPlay updates now allow drivers to use third-party voice assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI hands-free while driving. This expands beyond Siri’s capabilities, enabling users to leverage more advanced AI for complex queries and conversations on the go.
What Happened
ZDNet’s Lance Whitney tested both ChatGPT and Perplexity AI as CarPlay voice assistants. The testing involved using the AI assistants during actual driving scenarios to assess their usefulness for in-car tasks. A key distinction is that while ChatGPT functions with all subscription tiers (including free), Perplexity AI requires a Pro subscription, typically costing $20 per month, to operate within CarPlay. However, ZDNet notes potential methods for obtaining a free year of Perplexity Pro (see linked article).
Whitney found that Perplexity AI consistently provided more accurate and helpful responses compared to ChatGPT during testing. While ChatGPT was usable, it often struggled with nuanced questions or providing concise answers suitable for a driving environment. Perplexity AI, however, excelled at providing direct and informative responses.
It's important to note a potential conflict of interest: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company, has an ongoing copyright lawsuit against OpenAI (ChatGPT’s creator) alleging copyright infringement in AI training.
Why It Matters
The integration of advanced AI models into CarPlay represents a significant step toward a more intelligent and useful in-car experience. Drivers can potentially access real-time information, complex problem-solving, and personalized assistance without taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. The finding that Perplexity AI currently outperforms ChatGPT in this context is noteworthy. This could influence user preference and drive competition among AI providers to optimize their offerings for automotive use cases. The subscription requirement for Perplexity AI is a potential barrier to entry for some users. The cost-benefit of the Pro features within the CarPlay environment may be a deciding factor for consumers.
What To Watch
It remains to be seen how Apple will further integrate AI into CarPlay and whether it will develop its own competitive AI assistant. Further testing and user feedback will be crucial in determining the long-term viability and user experience of these third-party AI integrations. The evolution of AI models themselves—ChatGPT and Perplexity AI are rapidly improving—will also significantly impact their performance in CarPlay. It’s also worth monitoring how the ongoing legal dispute between Ziff Davis and OpenAI could affect future reporting and evaluations of ChatGPT.