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Indian's big bikes get Apple CarPlay integration for 2020, no sign of Android Auto yet

The Challenger, Chieftain and Roadmaster all get the update, hopefully with more models to follow.

Kyle Hyatt Former news and features editor
Kyle Hyatt (he/him/his) hails originally from the Pacific Northwest, but has long called Los Angeles home. He's had a lifelong obsession with cars and motorcycles (both old and new).
Kyle Hyatt
2 min read
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Finally, now you can catch up on all those My Favorite Murder episodes you missed when you were riding with the crew.

Indian

Indian Motorcycle is good at many things, but the thing that it's arguably best at is building big, luxurious long-distance cruisers -- the kind that make you want to top off the tank and disappear for a few days at a time. 

Of course, one thing that makes long rides like those much more pleasant is music, and Bluetooth communicators have gotten very good in the last couple of years. Now -- with the likes of Honda and Harley having introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into some of their bikes -- it's only fitting that Indian get around to it too, and last week on July 29 the company announced that some of its 2020 motorcycles would have Apple CarPlay integration.

Now, before you rush out to try and update your FTR's system or something, you should know that currently, only Indian's bikes with the 7-inch Ride Command system can use CarPlay. That setup is found on the 2020 Challenger, Chieftain and Roadmaster models, currently. Still, these bikes are all an excellent fit for CarPlay, so it makes sense that Indian would start there.

As we've seen from other manufacturers, to enable CarPlay on Indian's bikes you need to have your own Bluetooth communication system -- Cardo or Sena are your best bet. From there, the functionality should be similar to what you expect in four-wheel and other two-wheel implementations.

The inclusion of CarPlay is huge, but it's not the only update that Indian is giving Ride Command for 2020. It's also managed to improve boot times, navigation controls and location management as well as widgets, including adding one to help track fuel economy.

When asked if the company had plans for Android Auto integration in the near future, an Indian representative responded by saying, "While we can't speak to future product plans, we're always paying close attention to the needs of our riders and ways to enhance their overall experience while on the road."

To me, that reads as though you Android folks may not be left out in the cold for long.

Watch this: 2019 Indian FTR 1200 S: Happiness is a flat circle