Apple announces CarPlay to ship in select cars this year

by Mark Tyson on 3 March 2014, 10:30

Tags: iPhone, PC, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)

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The Geneva International Motor Show kicked off today and Apple had an announcement about a system which had previously been known as 'iOS in the car'. CarPlay is said to be a safer, easier and more fun way to use your iPhone in your car using steering wheel controls, Siri and the built-in in-car display panel. A long list of manufacturers which will support CarPlay has been published by Apple. Also Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will all have models including this iPhone linking system at the show in Geneva this week.

CarPlay allows you to intuitively control your iPhone to "make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch". You won't be touching your phone though – CarPlay links your phone to the car steering wheel controls and you can use Siri for voice commands too if you wish. CarPlay also makes use of the car's larger built-in display panel to present the info you need.

"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," said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing.

CarPlay main features

  • Communications: Siri allows you to accesses contacts, make calls, return calls and listen to voicemail. Also Siri can help you by reading out and taking your dictated responses to text based communications.
  • Maps: the mapping system anticipates destinations based upon recent emails, texts and friend's destinations. It offers routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA info. Siri can also help you with spoken turn-by-turn directions. Maps will appear on your large in-car display panel.
  • Media: CarPlay also gives you in car access to all your music, podcasts, audiobooks and iTunes Radio. Control these using your car's built-in controls or ask Siri to navigate or control your library playback. Third party audio apps like Spotify are also supported.

To use CarPlay you will need and iPhone with a lightning connector and iOS7. Manufacturers joining Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo in producing CarPlay automobiles include; MW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.

Google Projected Mode

In a related development, a rival in-car system being developed by Google has been whiffed by the Engadget newshounds. The info comes from a job vacancy ad at Daimler in Germany. The advert is for a software engineer to help implement 'Google Projected Mode'. This system sounds like a dashboard docking system for Android mobiles. Much like CarPlay, the Android smartphone will then use the car's built-in display and controls for safely partaking in calls, messaging and media playback.

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Posted by crossy - Mon 03 Mar 2014 10:51
Also Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will all have models including this iPhone linking system at the show in Geneva this week. … To use CarPlay you will need and iPhone with a lightning connector and iOS7. Manufacturers joining Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo in producing CarPlay automobiles include; MW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.
So to use this “great” feature you're not only going to have to have a iPhone, but also one of the latest models? This is dumb elitist nonsense of the first order - and something that I really, really hope that some one (EU?) jumps on from a great height, since it's clearly restricting consumer choice. And no, I'm not advocating the Google version - that's equally stupid (based on what limited information is available).

I'll take an interest when some enlightened group/company decides to do a system that works with iPhone, Android and maybe Windows Phone. Until then, I'd regard having this system on board as a drawback rather than a positive feature, and definitely one I wouldn't want to pay for.

Then again, as long as I've got readable instruments, a decent radio/speakers with a line-in then I'm sorted. I have little interest in any screen based “infotainment” system or satnav, having got a perfectly acceptable nav app on my phone. So maybe I'm not really in the target market segment? ;)
Posted by Saracen - Mon 03 Mar 2014 11:15
crossy
….

Then again, as long as I've got readable instruments, a decent radio/speakers with a line-in then I'm sorted. I have little interest in any screen based “infotainment” system or satnav, having got a perfectly acceptable nav app on my phone. So maybe I'm not really in the target market segment? ;)
If you're maybe not the target market, I'm certainly not. I use a standalone SatNav actively in preference to a mobile app because it's standalone. And I don't want texts, let alone emails, on my phone. And phone voicemail is disabled at the telco. My homephone answerphone is turned off, too, for that matter. All I want from a phone is the ability to make and receive calls, and a few memories (20 or so is fine). Oh, and one feature that for me is absolutely fundamental and essential …. an ‘off’ button. ;)

In a car, a decent stereo and, when needed, standalone SatNav is all I need, and want. Anything like this Apple system is something I actively don't want. And as for any notion of a Google system, I not only wouldn't pay for it but it would be enough to stop me buying any car to which it was fitted.
Posted by cheesemp - Mon 03 Mar 2014 11:31
Should be something platform agnostic like mirrorlink. Wonder if we're going to see lots of second hand cars with these systems built in that are completely useless in three years time as lets face it Apple rarely make anything thats hardware/software compatible after ~3 years have past!
Posted by ajones - Mon 03 Mar 2014 11:58
I do hope these cars come with their own satnav… or have Apple ficed their maps now?
Posted by zarnywoop - Mon 03 Mar 2014 12:47
I could tolerate it if the interface was iOS but worked with any smart phone/bluetooth, but I would not pay for something in a car that only works with a specific (phone) manufacturer.

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