Do not submit a proposal without reading this roadmap document. Ideas should be discussed on the SDL Slack #sdl_evolution open channel before a proposal is created here.
For more information about SDL, go to www.smartdevicelink.com.
This process and document is based on Apple's excellent Swift Evolution process.
This document tracks the ongoing evolution of SDL. Proposals should be made for any public API surface change, that is, any change that would necessitate a minor or major version change in any SDL mobile library. If a protocol or RPC change does not change any API surface, they must still be brought through the proposal process. If changes are made to modify any remote control feature, only a single module should be addressed within a proposal. In sum, the following changes must be proposed:
- Changes necessitating minor or major version updates to SDL Core, the mobile libraries, Manticore, SDL Policy Server, and SHAID according to semantic versioning, except those that are caused by a misspelling.
- Any change to the SDL Protocol.
- Any change to the SDL RPC spec.
Important documents:
- Goals for upcoming SDL releases – this document.
- The SDL evolution proposal review schedule to see upcoming SDL evolution proposal reviews.
- The SDL evolution review process to see how to propose and review proposals.
- The proposals versus issues document to understand the differences between an SDL Evolution Proposal and an SDL Issue.
When entering a proposal, only one platform will be listed as impacted on the proposal status page. It's inherent that some platforms impact others, as described below:
The SmartDeviceLink protocol specification describes the method for establishing communication between an application and head unit and registering the application for continued communication with the head unit. The protocol is used as the base formation of packets sent from one module to another.
All new SDL implementations should implement the newest version of the protocol.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/protocol_spec
Changes to Protocol also impact the following platforms:
- Core
- iOS
- Java Suite
- JavaScript Suite
Spec for RPC messages sent between mobile devices and hardware modules.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/rpc_spec
Changes to RPC also impact the following platforms:
- Core
- iOS
- Java Suite
- JavaScript Suite
- HMI (in most cases)
The Core component is the software which Vehicle Manufacturers (OEMs) implement in their vehicle head units. Integrating this component into their head unit and HMI based on a set of guidelines and templates enables access to various applications.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/sdl_core
Changes to Core also impact the following platforms:
- Manticore
The Android, Java SE, and Java EE libraries are implemented by app developers into their applications to enable command and control via the connected head unit.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/sdl_java_suite
The iOS library is implemented by iOS app developers into their applications to enable command and control via the connected head unit.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/sdl_ios
The JavaScript Suite library is implemented by app developers into their JavaScript applications to enable command and control via the connected head unit.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/sdl_javascript_suite
Manticore is used to dynamically provision SDL Core and SDL HMI instances in the cloud.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/manticore
SDL hosted instance: https://smartdevicelink.com/resources/manticore/
The SDL Policy Server handles authentication, data collection, and basic configurations for SDL connected vehicles.
Repository: https://github.com/smartdevicelink/sdl_server
SHAID is a centralized service designed to keep information about SDL-supported applications synchronized across the SmartDeviceLink (SDL) ecosystem.
Documentation: SHAID Documentation
You can see a detailed list of accepted and implemented proposals for upcoming versions on the proposal status page. Each proposal is listed as only impacting one platform, as it's inherent that some platforms impact others, as described above in the Platforms Section.
Release Date: October 27, 2021
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: October 27, 2021
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: October 26, 2022
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: October 26, 2022
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: June 29, 2023
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: September 13, 2023
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: December 18, 2023
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: March 18, 2024
Contents: Release information can be found here.
Release Date: March 25, 2024
Contents: Documentation can be found here.