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  • What Does Apple CarPlay Do?
Technology Articles > Software > Development > What Does Apple CarPlay Do?

News today of Apple’s CarPlay is abundant. Apple has finally come out with an integrated in-car system after years of talk. What is Apple CarPlay and what does it do? Here’s a closer look at Apple’s latest creation.

Complete Connectivity

Apple’s main goal with creating CarPlay was to fully integrate an iOS experience into a car. Why? So that you can connect to everything you love about your iOS device while driving. This includes text messages, apps, music, maps, and much more. And, the whole thing works with Apple’s Siri.

The idea is to use Siri to make anything happen in your car from playing a favorite music track to finding a new location. Whatever you need to do, you can just ask Siri.

But, Apple still stands strongly by the company’s policy against driving while texting. If you have CarPlay, you won’t be able to send a text message to anyone on your friend list or read any incoming messages. But, you will be able to ask Siri to send and read messages for you. It’s all hands-free, and it’s all simple to use (that’s the idea, at least).

What You’ll Need

Apples CarPlay will only work with the iPhone 5 lineup. If you have a 4 or 4S, you’re out of luck. Apple’s CarPlay won’t be compatible with other devices yet, though there are some rumors that the CarPlay console will be able to connect to Android and other devices in the near future (those details are scarce). Compatibility will be made available through a software update when Apple is ready to roll with CarPlay.

You will also have to have a car that supports CarPlay. So far, CarPlay will only be available through various luxury car brands including Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari.

BMW, Suzuki, Toyota, Nissan, GM, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Peugeot, Subaru, Citroen, Mitsubishi, Honda, Hyundai, and other car manufacturers are planning to work with Apple to add CarPlay to various models in the very near future. Volvo, Ferrari, and Mercedes will all have CarPlay in certain models this year.

Why Would You Want It?

If you’ve ever thought about how much easier it would be to simply ask Siri to find you a tune or to read a message or make a call for you, CarPlay will be what you need. Of course, it means purchasing a new car that has CarPlay integration, and that won’t be cheap.

I’m curious to see whether or not Apple will sell CarPlay consoles for other cars, or if it will be possible to have CarPlay installed in various other vehicles. For now, CarPlay will remain an add-on (like an integrated GPS system) for models created by the list of manufacturers above.

Even though it seems like CarPlay will bring cars and technology one step closer together, it’s difficult to determine whether or not CarPlay will catch on. For some, going the Apple route while purchasing a car doesn’t make a lot of sense. For others that are already connected regularly, CarPlay is a natural extension of that connection. What do you think?