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Apple's iOS-powered dashboard for vehicles

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Apple is finally ready to launch a new iPhone integration setup for car infotainment systems. Calling it CarPlay, the Cupertino company claims it's "designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car."

 

CarPlay is a lightweight version of iOS that's designed specifically for use in the car. Plug in your iPhone and you get quick access to the things you need the most while driving, namely navigation, music, phone calls, and text messages, in a familiar interface on your car's existing display. CarPlay also allows access to third-party apps that have been updated to support it. Right now, only a handful have been, but it is possible to listen to your Spotify playlists or podcasts through your car stereo

CarPlay relies heavily on Siri — virtually all of the input is done through voice commands and car manufacturers can actually disable text input if they desire. The system uses the microphones already built into the car to listen to your voice, rather than relying on the iPhone's microphone. Siri is used to dial numbers, send and read text messages, call up music, and set destinations

Apple's car play coming to nine new automaker's vehicles. Nine new automakers have committed to supporting Apple's CarPlay in future models of their vehicles. Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Mazda, and Ram are joining the existing 20 companies that have already announced their plans to integrate CarPlay.Integrating smartphones with car dashboards has emerged as a new focus for Apple, as well as competitors like Google, though the car is less a battleground than it is an extension of their mobile operating systems, since a vehicle might be able to work with multiple types of phones.

 

Volvo is taking a different route: it has built an interface that integrates CarPlay in with the native systems, providing quick access to things like climate control without requiring the driver to exit CarPlay. I found the Volvo system to be the easiest to use and understand, and it didn't feel like I was using two completely different interfaces like with the other car makers.

CarPlay will come as part of an iOS 7 update, and only iPhones with Lightning connectivity (iPhone 5, 5S, and 5C) are supported so far. Beyond Apple's own iTunes Radio, CarPlay will also let you access a number of third-party music-streaming apps, including Spotify, Beats Radio, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher.

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