Apple CarPlay: In-car iOS interface to debut at Geneva
Ever since it announced Siri-integration for automobiles, Apple had remained silent on its development. But an announcement on the eve of the 2014 Geneva Motor Show from the Cupertino-based tech-giant shall explain why. Apple has revealed a new interface called the 'CarPlay', which is their take on automobile infotainment.
As you would expect, CarPlay syncs with your iPhone to make the car's infotainment system smarter and safer. It can read and write messages for you with Siri's assistance, make and receive calls and of course, play music. On compatible infotainment systems, which also boast of a touchscreen, CarPlay recreates part of the iOS interface on the screen to let you stream voice-guided navigation through Apple Maps, browse through album art, make conference calls and even browse the Internet. All these functions only cover the basics. Apple adds that with time, CarPlay compatible apps will also make the infotainment experience richer, smarter and safer. Majority of carmakers are also expected to integrate the 'Siri' switch for controlling the CarPlay functions through voice commands.
Speaking of which, Apple confirms that Ferrari, Mercedes Benz and Volvo will showcase their CarPlay compatible gadgetry at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show while Jaguar, Hyundai and Honda will show their wares later this year. BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota are also on the list of carmakers who have signed up for the Apple CarPlay technology.
Ever since the iPod debuted, iPod-compatibility became an imperative feature for most cars out there. If that adoption is anything to go by, the CarPlay interface from Apple is bound to take automobile infotainment to a whole new level. CarPlay will be made available through an iOS update and is only compatible with iPhone 5, 5C, 5S or higher.
Apple CarPlay press release
| Apple Rolls Out CarPlay Giving Drivers a Smarter, Safer & More Fun Way to Use iPhone in the Car CarPlay Premieres with Leading Auto Manufacturers at the Geneva International Motor Show GENEVA?March 3, 2014?Apple® today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone® in the car. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car's native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri® without distraction. Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW 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. "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." Apple has led consumer technology integration in the car for more than a decade. CarPlay brings your car and iPhone together for a thoughtful experience that lets drivers focus on driving, while also tapping into everything they want to do with their iPhone. Once iPhone is connected to a vehicle with CarPlay integration, Siri helps you easily access your contacts, make calls, return missed calls or listen to voicemails. When incoming messages or notifications arrive, Siri provides an eyes-free experience by responding to requests through voice commands, by reading drivers' messages and letting them dictate responses or simply make a call. 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. You can also simply ask Siri and receive spoken turn-by-turn directions, along with Maps, which will appear on your car's built-in display. CarPlay gives drivers access to all of their music, podcasts, audiobooks and iTunes Radio? with easy navigation through listening choices from the car's built-in controls or simply by asking Siri to pull up what you'd like to hear. CarPlay also supports select third-party audio apps including Spotify and iHeartRadio, so you can listen to your favorite radio services or sports broadcast apps while driving. Pricing & Availability Apple CarPlay is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. CarPlay will be available in select cars shipping in 2014. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. | |
