Apple CarPlay – What New Cars Will Have it?

For those of you who can’t live without your iPhone, Apple has some good news. Your car could become the ultimate iPhone accessory very soon. This month, during Apple’s “Spring Forward Event”, Apple CEO, Tim Cook announced that CarPlay will be available on 40 new car models this year and every major manufacturer has now committed to using it.

iPhone users will delight in this new techy feature. The CarPlay dashboard display is as easy and straightforward to use as your iPhone, because it is driven by your iPhone. The system allows access to all of the convenient apps for communication, navigation and entertainment that drivers use on their phones. All that is required to activate CarPlay-enabled dashboard is to simply plug in your iPhone and an auto friendly version of Apple’s iOS 8 takes over the dashboard display.

When CarPlay is enabled, Siri voice control allows drivers to send, read and reply to text messages while keeping their hands on the wheel and maintaining focused on the road. The dashboard display also engages Apple Maps for easy turn-by-turn directions, traffic conditions and estimated travel time. iTunes Radio is also part of the CarPlay package. Personal music choices and preferences appear in a display identical to that on the driver’s iPhone. If iTunes is not preferred for streaming music, many additional audio apps are also supported by CarPlay.

The CarPlay system is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone6 and iPhone 6 Plus. According to the Apple.com website, CarPlay will be available for Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM models in the very near future. But if you just can’t wait until these new models are released, you can add CarPlay to your current vehicle with an Alpine or Pioneer aftermarket receiver system.

For more information about CarPlay enabled cars and trucks or to receive updates on their arrival, please Contact Us.