Apple announces iOS-powered CarPlay infotainment system, to roll out later this year
As expected, Apple on Monday announced its latest push into the automotive space with CarPlay, a rebadged "iOS in the Car" that integrates the touch and voice controls of iOS with a car's infotainment system.

Announced at the Geneva Motor Show, CarPlay is a rebadging of "iOS in the Car," which Apple revealed at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013. Reports last week pointed to today's reveal, though the name change is somewhat of a surprise.
"CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car," said Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing Greg Joswiak. "iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we're thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva."
The first examples of CarPlay will come from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, all of which are premiering the technology in various car models this week. Other automakers like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota will be rolling out CarPlay-compatible cars down the road.

In operation, drivers connect their Lightning-equipped iPhone via a hardline, assumedly allowing for charging while pushing phone operations to the on-board infotainment system. A steering wheel-mounted voice control button activates Siri to cut down on distractions in the cockpit, though users can also interface with iOS 7-inspired controls if a car comes equipped with a touchscreen. According to Apple, CarPlay can access all knobs, buttons and dials controlling an in-car display.
Drivers can place phone calls, listen to voice mail messages, access contacts and have text messages read to them by Siri. Mapping is also integrated into CarPlay, including turn-by-turn directions that show up on a car's screen.

Entertainment options include access to an iPhone's music library, podcasts, audiobooks, iTunes Radio and music streaming apps like Spotify, Beats Music and iHeartRadio.
CarPlay will come as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are expected to ship models with CarPlay in 2014.

Announced at the Geneva Motor Show, CarPlay is a rebadging of "iOS in the Car," which Apple revealed at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013. Reports last week pointed to today's reveal, though the name change is somewhat of a surprise.
"CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car," said Apple's vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing Greg Joswiak. "iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we're thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva."
The first examples of CarPlay will come from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, all of which are premiering the technology in various car models this week. Other automakers like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota will be rolling out CarPlay-compatible cars down the road.

In operation, drivers connect their Lightning-equipped iPhone via a hardline, assumedly allowing for charging while pushing phone operations to the on-board infotainment system. A steering wheel-mounted voice control button activates Siri to cut down on distractions in the cockpit, though users can also interface with iOS 7-inspired controls if a car comes equipped with a touchscreen. According to Apple, CarPlay can access all knobs, buttons and dials controlling an in-car display.
Drivers can place phone calls, listen to voice mail messages, access contacts and have text messages read to them by Siri. Mapping is also integrated into CarPlay, including turn-by-turn directions that show up on a car's screen.

Entertainment options include access to an iPhone's music library, podcasts, audiobooks, iTunes Radio and music streaming apps like Spotify, Beats Music and iHeartRadio.
CarPlay will come as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are expected to ship models with CarPlay in 2014.
Comments
At the bottom of Apple's CarPlay page, it says that it's compatible with iPhone 5S, 5C, and 5. So, it probably works via Bluetooth with your phone, which is like how our 2014 Honda CR-V works with our phones now.
Looking forward to it reading texts and accepting dictation, as well as picking up addresses for driving directions from contacts.
Lots of manufacturers lined up, too.
The interface is very ordinary. Doesn't look exciting like all the rest of Apple UI before iOS 7.
Maybe one day it will be impossible to drive a car without plugging your phone in first, and it will have your license on it?
No Volkswagen Group in the list.
That's a huge omission in my opinion.
It's a pity Audi partnered with Google on Android based car infotainment.
Well, I guess it's time for a new car. But too bad you have to hardwire it to your phone instead of Bluetooth. I'm sure it's faster and more reliable hardwired, though. Just less convenient.
It would seem obvious, especially given their ethos and early adoption of iPod integration.
That integration is/was amazingly poor in implementation, though. A stupid little cradle that is too narrow for anything other than a classic, horribly finicky for the asymmetric 30-pin of the nano and obviously incompatible with even the old iPhones. Why so pedantic about it, VW/AG?
I find it hilarious how bad the software is on these in-car "infotainment" systems. Surely it's easier to say GPS/radio, but I digress.
They are truly shockingly horrible, especially when they come with resistive touchscreens like a 90s mall kiosk gimmick. And apparently it doesn't matter if you're VW, Alfa, Merc, they're all horrible and ill-conceived.
Just give me an aux in and I'll struggle with pressing play and mounting it myself; frankly I'd rather turn that huge dangerous unresponsive distraction off completely.
This would never have happened if Steve was alive;-P
"Entertainment options include access to an iPhone's music library, podcasts, audiobooks, iTunes Radio and music streaming apps like Spotify, Beats Music and iHeartRadio."
This is fantastic news!
If this update comes to iOS 7, I expect that it would also work outside of the car. I am so waiting for the option to search for music or launch playlists on spotify with Siri! So excited about this apparently small news!
No Volkswagen Group in the list.
That's a huge omission in my opinion.
It's a pity Audi partnered with Google on Android based car infotainment.
So that means when people pays 1 million for Lamborghini they gonna get some lag virus stealing data Android instead of iOS, are the Volkwagen group stupid? literally 90% who has a Lamborghini are using iPhones fact
Please Apple acquire Lamborghini from them!!!!!!!!!!!
some lag virus stealing data Android
Did you just put together all the bad words you could think of in a random order?
I believe all the major manufacturers will be baking in both iOS and Android infotainment integration. Yesterday there was a news blurb that Daimler (Mercedes) is planning worldwide use of Android in the car the translated name being Google Projected Mode. Since MB announced iOS Carplay it's pretty obvious they'll be doing both. No doubt IMM that Audi will too. Only working with devices from half your buyers wouldn't be particularly smart.
When hardwiring the phone can it then use the bigger antennas of the car, or would it still use it's one with all the rays being reflected inside the car until they can escape through one of the windows?
When you plug your phone in, can Siri then drive?
The two Germans went with Goog. Shame. Two major omissions.