Neil Hughes
Joining last week's announcement that Audi will support the upcoming CarPlay platform, eight more car makers have been listed on Apple's website as "committed partners."
Audi was officially added to Apple's CarPlay site on Tuesday, along with the following eight new automakers:
- Abarth
- Alfa Romeo
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Fiat
- Jeep
- Mazda
- Ram
Those companies join the likes of Toyota, Ford, BMW, Chevrolet, Nissan and more, who have pledged to support CarPlay in upcoming vehicles. Many have not given dates for when those vehicles will arrive, but Audi said last week that CarPlay support will be included in some of its 2015 models.
Many of the companies listed are also members of Google's Android-based Open Automotive Alliance, and some have indicated they plan to support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay together in future vehicle "infotainment" systems.
A total of five car makers have pledged to bring CarPlay support to vehicles in their 2014 lineup. Those companies are: Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
Aftermarket solutions for older cars from Alpine and Pioneer are also forthcoming.
A week ago, Apple updated the CarPlay website to list the MLB.com At Bat app as a supporting third-party launch partner. It joins Apple's Podcasts app along with Betas Music, iHeartRadio, Spotify and Stitcher.
CarPlay will also come with built-in compatibility for Apple's native iPhone, Music, Maps and Messages applications. A new "Now Playing" application is also exclusive to CarPlay as part of the default installation.
When CarPlay products launch later this year, they will support the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5. Connection to a head unit is required through a Lightning cable.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
62 Comments
It doesn't necessarily mean all that much that they've signed on in principle. The question is, when will it actually become available in their models? For instance, Audi announced last week that it will be available in their 2015 models; but BMW has made no such commitment as of yet. [Delete added portion]
Does anyone know if these are all QNX-based systems?
I wish they would start announcing models and not just automakers I'm curious to know if it's the full line up or just certain models will get it
Doesn't it seem redundant to list Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, & Ram? They're all a part of the same manufacturer - right?
Doesn't it seem redundant to list Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, & Ram? They're all a part of the same manufacturer - right?
And add to that Fiat, Alfa Romero, Abarth and all the other smaller divisions of Fiat such as Lancia of Italy and so on. As Chrysler parts bins are now supplying bits and pieces to the newer Maseratis (brake pedals, infotainment units, window switches) this will only become another item in the bin. Add-ons from your dealer (e.g.: software applications to tune your engine, call SOS, online cell services) will cost an arm and a leg as dealers and their networks will not change how they do business because a couple high end tech companies want to see change. Yet maybe as one make starts inserting CarPlay quickly into their cars, it may force the competition to push forward is sales slump. It's a funny business the auto industry...it is so slow to change and would prefer to use 1920's sales techniques that gives the dealership/and or car network 100% of the control. We all know that CarPlay or its equivalent from Google is going to be a high end option like GPS Navigation even though every phone we now carry includes it for free. I see it being packaged as a leather seating/heated seats/extra chrome options only forcing you to buy into all this unneeded stuff to get the one thing you really want.