Apple unveils CarPlay
Apple has rebranded its ‘iOS in the Car’ initiative to “CarPlay”, an updated service that brings iPhone features such as Maps, Siri, music and messages into compatible cars’ dashboards.
CarPlay was revealed today (3 March) at the Geneva International Motor show with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as launch partners. Additional 13 car manufacturers including Ford, General Motors and Toyota will also join CarPlay in the coming months.
The CarPlay service allows users to make calls and control iOS features by using their car’s in-built screen or by pushing and holding a voice control button on their steering wheel to activate Siri voice controls.
CarPlay also integrates Maps, iTunes Radio and third party music apps including Spotify and iHeartRadio.
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS product marketing, says: “CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car. IPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimised distraction.”
Apple originally announced its IOS in the Car initiative at its Worldwide Developers’ Conference last year but today (3 March) marks the first time its bid to link iPhone services to cars has been brought to market.
In January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Google announced a global “Open Automotive Alliance” in partnership with Audi, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia to bring the Android operating system to connected cars.
At Mobile World Congress last month Ford unveiled a new connected car which it claimed has “advanced connectivity, safety and driver assist technologies”.
