Mikey Campbell
As expected, Apple on Monday announced its latest push into the automotive space with CarPlay, a rebadged "iOS in the Car" that integrates the touch and voice controls of iOS with a car's infotainment system.
Announced at the Geneva Motor Show, CarPlay is a rebadging of "iOS in the Car," which Apple revealed at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013. Reports last week pointed to today's reveal, though the name change is somewhat of a surprise.
"CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car," said Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing Greg Joswiak. "iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we're thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva."
The first examples of CarPlay will come from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, all of which are premiering the technology in various car models this week. Other automakers like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota will be rolling out CarPlay-compatible cars down the road.
In operation, drivers connect their Lightning-equipped iPhone via a hardline, assumedly allowing for charging while pushing phone operations to the on-board infotainment system. A steering wheel-mounted voice control button activates Siri to cut down on distractions in the cockpit, though users can also interface with iOS 7-inspired controls if a car comes equipped with a touchscreen. According to Apple, CarPlay can access all knobs, buttons and dials controlling an in-car display.
Drivers can place phone calls, listen to voice mail messages, access contacts and have text messages read to them by Siri. Mapping is also integrated into CarPlay, including turn-by-turn directions that show up on a car's screen.
Entertainment options include access to an iPhone's music library, podcasts, audiobooks, iTunes Radio and music streaming apps like Spotify, Beats Music and iHeartRadio.
CarPlay will come as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are expected to ship models with CarPlay in 2014.
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89 Comments
Looks good! At the bottom of Apple's CarPlay page, it says that it's compatible with iPhone 5S, 5C, and 5. So, it probably works via Bluetooth with your phone, which is like how our 2014 Honda CR-V works with our phones now. Looking forward to it reading texts and accepting dictation, as well as picking up addresses for driving directions from contacts. Lots of manufacturers lined up, too.
The interface is very ordinary. Doesn't look exciting like all the rest of Apple UI before iOS 7.
This is really good news, it's great that Apple are making deals with big players in the Auto industry.... however... I'd love to see play nice Apple and release it for retro fitting to other vehicles, please! Apple iOS in the car for everyone. PLEASE.
It's probably the future of in car systems, that they have no "system" of their own, they are just a docking station for the driver's phone and it controls all the screens. Maybe one day it will be impossible to drive a car without plugging your phone in first, and it will have your license on it?
No Volkswagen Group in the list.
That's a huge omission in my opinion.
It's a pity Audi partnered with Google on Android based car infotainment.