What is this CarPlay system?
Apple's most recent major update to iOS; 7.1 introduces the new Apple Carplay; a smarter and safer way to interact with your phone whilst driving.
It enhances safety when using your phone whilst on the road by plugging directly into your car's functions and showing them on your vehicle's on-board display, allowing the driver to focus in one place and avoid handling the phone at all.
The plug in work by tapping into Siri to allow drivers to make calls, listen to voicemails as well as hear incoming alerts and messages. Not only that, it can fully integrate with maps to provide step by step directions which are all displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment system. For audio, CarPlay uses iTunes radio, podcasts and certain third-party apps including Spotify and iHeartRadio to help play music as well audio indicators and instructions.
“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” Apple VP Greg Joswiak said in a statement. “IPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction.”
Carplay is compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s, however you will have to ensure your phone has the latest iOS software installed for it to work. Currently, the system only works on higher spec cars that can support such tech heavy support. Manufactures who currently support this feature include Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo but be sure to keep an eye on others as this technology is designed to be available to all and many already hinting at releasing vehicles with it later this year.
How does this influence the auto industry?
Apple Inc. surprised some auto industry experts by launching CarPlay at the Geneva Motor Show. The tech giant made it clear that it is going to play a key role in the future of cars with analysts supporting this theory by estimating that 50% of cars produced in 2020 will have ‘connected cards’ functionality. This is the first time that the iPhone maker will take its technology to third parties (automakers), however the fact that they are first off the mark suggests that there is huge potential behind this partnership.
Apple Inc’s CarPlay has some advantages over other competing systems. Firstly, CarPlay includes iTunes Radio, which has become the third most popular Internet radio service in the U.S. Secondly, Siri is an integral part of CarPlay which is undoubtedly, the world’s most popular virtual assistant. And finally, the popularity of iPhones will ensure that users find the interface on the dashboard much simpler to use due t o enhanced levels of familiarity.
According to Forbes, Apple Inc. recently won two patents and one of them is related to the telematics within the car system that allows users to customize in both the visual and tactile sense. The second one relates to using the iPhone as a 911/eCall, which is connected to the Airbag sensors and GPS in the vehicle. Both these items shows that the tech giant intends to expand its presence in the connected car industry going forward and are developing a range of technologies and uses for car owners worldwide.
And how to get the CarPlay system without a brand new IPhone and the most advanced car?
Right now, CarPlay is only available to Apple fans who purchase a brand new car. However, there are a selection of ingenious of gadgets that allow you to run the CarPlay service in a non native way but all you to get the CarPlay functionality in your car today, check out this article:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/iphone/get-carplay-without-getting-carplay-3507818/
You can also have a look at the CarPlay demo right here to see exactly what it does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSWJvSmL964
