Apple, maker of tech items like the iPhone, iPad and Mac line of computers, is extending its reach into the automotive market, making a fairly big announcement ahead of the Geneva Motor Show. No, it hasn't bought Tesla (yet). Instead, Apple has announced CarPlay, an all-new means of controlling an iPhone through your car.
It's best to think of CarPlay as a sweeping expansion of the system seen
in the Spark and Sonic. According to Apple, following an iOS update,
owners will be able to plug in their iPhones to their cars via the USB
port and gain control of a number of the device's functions, all through
a car's touchscreen. If there is no touchscreen, then voice controls
are available.
That means making and receiving calls, text messages, emails and voicemails, accessing navigation via Apple Maps (which is shown on a car's display, provided it has one) and of course, operating the iPhone's audio options, such as music, podcasts and audio books, are all available in one easy-to-access place. CarPlay will also integrate popular iOS music apps, like Spotify.
What's most impressive is the sheer number of manufacturers Apple claims to have signed on for CarPlay. At the Geneva show alone, Apple is expecting announcements from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Future announcements are expected from BMW, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Jaguar Land Rover, among others.
CarPlay will only be available to owners of the iPhone 5, 5C and 5S. We should have more on CarPlay when the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the media, bright and early tomorrow morning.
That means making and receiving calls, text messages, emails and voicemails, accessing navigation via Apple Maps (which is shown on a car's display, provided it has one) and of course, operating the iPhone's audio options, such as music, podcasts and audio books, are all available in one easy-to-access place. CarPlay will also integrate popular iOS music apps, like Spotify.
What's most impressive is the sheer number of manufacturers Apple claims to have signed on for CarPlay. At the Geneva show alone, Apple is expecting announcements from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Future announcements are expected from BMW, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Jaguar Land Rover, among others.
CarPlay will only be available to owners of the iPhone 5, 5C and 5S. We should have more on CarPlay when the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the media, bright and early tomorrow morning.
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