Apple's digital car keys tipped to work with Hyundai, Genesis models this summer

Source: Apple

Apple's digital car key feature might unlock more than a few BMW models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his latest newsletter that Hyundai and its premium Genesis brand will support Apple CarKey "by the summer." It isn't known what models might support the feature, but as Engadget pointed out, some trim levels of the Ioniq 5 and other Hyundai models have NFC for a digital key, which is currently proprietary.

If the leak is accurate, then Hyundai and Genesis owners will have an easier way to unlock their vehicles. They just need to bring the phone or Apple Watch to the door handle to unlock it. Those using ultra-wideband iPhones (like the iPhone 11 and newer) can keep their phone in their pockets when opening and starting the car.

Hyundai repurposed parts of IONIQ 5 EV into an air purifier

Hyundai has given a new purpose for one of the IONIQ 5's test vehicles, turning it into an air purifier. The electric vehicle "went through numerous tests to ensure our safety." Hyundai used it for tests of technologies like Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, pass-by noise regulation, and wind tunnel noise.

In the video you see above, the vehicle is stripped to its bones to turn it into an air purifier. They used parts like the cooling fan, door panels, infotainment system, LED tail lamp, and filter unit. They placed the 20-inch alloy wheel on top, so you can tell the purifier itself is a pretty large one. And of course, there's some Hyundai branding thrown in there, too. Many car parts are already recyclable, but this just shows what else can be done to unusable vehicles.

Source: Engadget

Apple Car's production won't involve Hyundai and Kia

Source: 9to5Mac

New regulatory filings from Hyundai confirm that the carmaker and its subsidiary Kia Motors are no longer in talks with Apple about developing its much-rumoured self-driving car. At the very least, they aren't willing to share details in public anymore. 

Apple was reportedly "upset" by Hyundai's statements last month that it was in talks with Apple about a potential partnership to develop the Apple Car. And Kia was supposedly the one who will be manufacturing the vehicle. But then, Hyundai backtracked to say it was in discussion with different car manufacturers on self-driving tech, but that it didn't have specific information to share.

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Hyundai execs are reportedly 'divided' over possible Apple Car partnership

Embed from Getty Images 

We've heard rumours that Apple is in talks with Hyundai about developing its yet-to-be-confirmed Apple Car. And a new report from Reuters focuses on reluctance from the Korean car manufacturer's side. The report claims that Hyundai's executives are divided over the idea of collaborating with Apple. The primary concern is that the deal might turn Hyundai into a contract manufacturer for another brand, which an unnamed Hyundai executive claims they don't really do.

Their discussions reportedly began back in 2018 when Apple's car initiative was headed by Alexander Hitzinger. Hitzinger now works for Volkswagen. The talks stalled supposedly because of Hyundai's reluctance to work with other companies. The carmaker doesn't want to be like Foxconn for Apple's vehicles. But Hyundai has excess capacity, and contract manufacturing will help it secure production volume.

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