Andre Yoskowitz
3 Mar 2014 20:12
This morning, Apple announced the launch of CarPlay, bringing the iOS experience to automobiles starting in 2014.
iPhone 5, 5C and 5S users can use CarPlay to control phone calls, use Maps, play their music, and have messages dictated to them. When released, cars will have a native CarPlay interface or you can choose to activate Siri from a new voice control button on the steering wheel.
"CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing. "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 software/hardware will debut this week in cars from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Later in the year, it will be available in Honda, Jaguar and Hyundai models. Next year, that selection increases significantly to include BMW, Ford, General Motors, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota.
Besides the phone call and message management, one interesting feature is the integration with Apple Maps. Apple says "CarPlay makes driving directions more intuitive by working with Maps to anticipate destinations based on recent trips via contacts, emails or texts, and provides routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA." Siri will also provide turn-by-turn instructions.
Finally, CarPlay will work with third-party apps like Spotify, Beats and iHeartRadio besides the normal iTunes Radio and iTunes Music. You can control what you are listening to with touch or using Siri to search for what you want to hear.