Apple PR:
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.
Nice timing – just after we talked about it on the podcast, Apple makes it official. As the name implies, it’s sorta like AirPlay, but for your car. Once your iPhone is connected, it’ll allow you to perform 4 main functions; calls, maps, music & messages. You can control it either with the car’s screen, or just through Siri.
It comes with all the usual Apple services, but interestingly, it’s also supporting a small set of other streaming music providers in Spotify & iHeartRadio.
CarPlay will be available as an iOS 7 update for any ‘Lightning-enabled’ iPhone. Wonder if that means it’s a mount in the car, and not a bluetooth or wireless connection? In any case, only Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz & Volvo are introducing cars this week (at the Geneva International Motor Show) that integrate CarPlay. So be prepared to fork out some serious dough if you’re keen.