CollinsAPPLE CARPLAY: Cars are no longer purchased solely for their engines and the number of seats they provide. Infotainment is now a must-have item on the shopping list of every car buyer. Apple CarPlay puts everything on the user’s phone at the tips of their fingers in the dash.
Apple CarPlay, which can do everything your phone can, allows the driver to use apps safely, call friends and family, and integrate your favourite music, shows, and podcasts into your car. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what your car can do with Apple CarPlay.
What can Apple CarPlay do?
Apple CarPlay — dubbed the “ultimate co-pilot” by Apple — performs many of the same functions as an iPhone. The software allows drivers to get turn-by-turn directions, make phone calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to music or podcasts. The features are displayed on an easy-to-use interface with large icons that iPhone users will recognize immediately.
Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, can be used to access the majority of CarPlay’s features. For example, the driver could tell Siri to “call Alex,” “get directions to Cafe Rio,” or “play Chumbawamba,” and Siri would comply. Drivers whose vehicle lacks voice-recognition technology can navigate the software using the dashboard’s touchscreen or the various knobs and buttons found on the steering wheel and centre console. When CarPlay is enabled, the iPhone’s screen is locked. After all, the software’s entire purpose is to reduce distractions.
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Some third-party apps are CarPlay compatible and optimized. iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora, Waze, WhatsApp, Amazon Music, CBS Radio, Tidal, and NPR One are among the best CarPlay apps for the iPhone. Surprisingly, Apple CarPlay also supports some Google-developed apps. The software includes access to Google Play Music and Google Maps.
CarPlay does not include vehicle settings, so the driver must exit the application to adjust the climate control temperature, browse radio stations, or select a different driving mode. While Google has assisted automakers, most notably Volvo, in developing infotainment systems, no one has struck a similar deal with Apple — at least not yet.
.Which phones are compatible with Apple CarPlay?
Drivers who want to use Apple’s operating system in their dashboard must have a compatible iPhone. Every iPhone since the 5 has CarPlay support, though the device must be running iOS 7.1 or later for the app to function. You won’t be able to use CarPlay if you still have an iPhone with a 30-pin connector or an iPad.
Wireless CarPlay is also supported by some vehicles. In those that do not, the iPhone must be physically connected to the vehicle via a certified lightning-to-USB cable.
Which cars are compatible with Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is compatible with a wide range of models from across the automotive spectrum. They range from entry-level vehicles like the Chevrolet Spark to high-end supercars like the Lamborghini Huracan Evo. CarPlay compatibility is available from dozens of manufacturers, including Volvo, Honda, Chevrolet, BMW, Ford, and Porsche. It should be noted that some businesses charge customers extra for the technology, whereas others include it as standard equipment.
Toyota fought CarPlay — and Google’s rival software, Android Auto — for years over safety and privacy concerns. The Japanese automaker recently reversed its decision and began offering CarPlay on some of its models, including the 2019 RAV4, 2019 Corolla Hatch, and 2019 Avalon. Lexus, which is owned by Toyota, has also begun to install the software in some of its vehicles, including the ES and RX. Others will undoubtedly follow; the floodgates of consumer demand have now opened.
Overall, if you’re looking for a new car, it’s not difficult to find one with Apple CarPlay — there are hundreds if you live in North America, so we created a guide outlining all the cars that can currently be equipped with CarPlay. In Europe, where automakers have been slower to adopt the technology, the story is different.
Every year, the number of used cars that are CarPlay compatible grows. If you’re driving a 1980s BMW or something even older, Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, and Sony all sell CarPlay-compatible aftermarket systems that bring cutting-edge smartphone integration to the world of winter beaters and classic cars.
What has changed with Apple CarPlay?
Apple updates its CarPlay software on a regular basis, adding new features, improving compatibility, and generally making life easier for car owners. Here’s a look at some of the most recent updates to the infotainment software.
iOS 13: On the same day that iOS 13 was released, Apple announced a number of CarPlay updates at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, on June 3, 2019. They alter the overall appearance of CarPlay, which has become an essential part of countless commutes since its introduction in 2014. Apple claims that CarPlay is now available in 90% of new vehicles sold in the United States.
The updated CarPlay includes a new “Dashboard” view that allows users to see multiple apps at the same time. As a result, drivers can now have navigation and music functions open on the same screen at the same time. This functionality is already available on some automakers’ built-in infotainment systems, but it is being applied to CarPlay for the first time. According to Apple, the music display has also been redesigned to better emphasize album artwork.
Finally, Siri’s voice recognition will be layered on top of other apps in CarPlay. The use of Siri may assist drivers in achieving a more streamlined user experience — the current interface is a little clunky. Right now, you have to open a separate screen to activate Siri, which makes the tool difficult to use. In addition, Apple has recently added a calendar app to CarPlay. Siri can now interact with third-party navigation and audio apps. All of the changes can be found here.
iOS 12: In 2018, Apple released a significant update to their iPhone. Popular American apps like Google Maps and Waze will now be available as third-party navigation app support.
This update may be of interest to Apple users who prefer to navigate from their phones rather than using software such as CarPlay. We completely understand; driving while also attempting to navigate is stressful. By connecting popular third-party navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, this update may help make your trips a little less bumpy. In addition to the update, Apple promises that the Carplay feature will continue to be useful.
The update on the new third-party app support was first shared by speakers at the WWDC keynote. Many people were taken aback, despite the fact that the announcement was only a footnote in this press release. Some believe this is just the tip of the iceberg for the company.
The new technology indicates that Apple recognizes that its CarPlay service falls short of popular navigation apps. Apple even shared a program called TryRating, which asked people to try out Apple Maps and provide feedback on how it could be improved. The company then intended to take the feedback and find solutions to the app’s accuracy issues. Apple is still working on incorporating this feedback; you can read about the most recent and upcoming changes here.
Collins