156: AppleCare One Announced & Automakers Snub CarPlay Ultra

5 snips

Jul 25, 2025

Apple has unveiled AppleCare One, a new subscription service allowing multiple device coverage under one plan. For $19.99 a month, users can protect various devices, including iPads and Apple Watches, with convenient theft and loss protection. The plan even accommodates devices up to four years old. Meanwhile, the conversation shifts to the automotive world, where several manufacturers are opting out of CarPlay Ultra, raising questions about integration with existing systems and consumer choices. The dynamics of both tech innovations create an engaging discussion.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

AppleCare One Overview

AppleCare One bundles AppleCare+ coverage for multiple devices into a single monthly subscription.
It allows adding devices up to four years old, breaking the previous 60-day purchase window.

ADVICE

AppleCare Essential for AirPods

Always get AppleCare for your AirPods as they often have issues outside standard warranty.
AppleCare can make replacements and repairs far more affordable for AirPods variants.

INSIGHT

Future of Apple Subscriptions

A full device subscription plan combining AppleCare, Apple One services, and device upgrades would benefit users greatly.
Such a plan simplifies costs and encourages loyalty by covering repairs, services, and new devices in one monthly fee.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through this week's announcement of AppleCare One and automakers' opting out of CarPlay Ultra.

AppleCare One is Apple's new subscription for customers to cover multiple devices with a single plan. It starts at $19.99 per month for up to three products, with the ability to add more for $5.99 per month for each additional device. The plan incudes all of the benefits that come with ‌AppleCare‌+, such as unlimited repairs for accidents, priority support, battery coverage, and more.

Subscribers can freely move their devices in and out of the plan at any time. ‌AppleCare‌ One also enables users to add products they already own that are up to four years old, providing they are in good condition, extending beyond the current 60-day window to purchase ‌AppleCare‌+. When a customer trades in a covered product with Apple, it is automatically removed from their ‌AppleCare‌ One plan and replaced with the new device.

‌AppleCare‌ One also expands theft and loss protection to the iPad and Apple Watch. Previously, it was only available for the iPhone.

‌AppleCare‌ One's pricing is the same regardless of the products that are covered. Apple says that a customer who enrolls their ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Apple Watch could save up to $11 per month versus enrolling in separate ‌AppleCare‌+ plans for each device.

Customers in the United States can now sign up for AppleCare One on their ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or Mac, or by visiting an Apple Store.

We also discuss the news that automakers including BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Renault, and General Motors will not support ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra. It seems to be a major retreat from Apple's 2022 announcement, which originally named 14 automakers as future ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra partners.

‌CarPlay‌ Ultra goes far beyond traditional ‌CarPlay‌ by taking control of the entire dashboard experience. The system displays vehicle information like temperature, speed, and fuel levels alongside ‌iPhone‌ apps, creating what Apple calls "a unified and consistent experience across all the driver's screens."

Currently, only Aston Martin offers CarPlay Ultra in production vehicles. Hyundai and its Kia and Genesis cars remain committed partners, while Porsche plans future support. Other originally announced brands like Ford and Nissan have provided no updates on their ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra plans.