Video: Apple CarPlay debuts with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo (Update)
03/03/14
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| Although CarPlay will initially require a physical link via Lightning cable between iPhone and infotainment system (Bluetooth cannot handle the required bandwidth), in the near future there'll be a WiFi option for wireless use. |
Apple has rebranded its iOS in the Car initiative as CarPlay, and unveiled Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as the first partners to build it into their vehicles.
Originally announced at Apple’s WWDC conference in 2013, iOS in the Car aimed to connect iPhones into in-car information and entertainment systems.
The rebranding was announced this morning at the Geneva International Motor Show, making it clear that CarPlay is the in-car equivalent to Apple’s AirPlay technology in the living room.
Apple’s Siri virtual assistant technology is key to the initiative, acting as the interface for drivers to access their contacts, make calls and listen to voicemails, while also reading out messages and responding to voice commands.
Apple’s Maps service will be a key feature in CarPlay too, with routes shown on the car’s own screen, and spoken turn-by-turn directions. Digital music is also part of CarPlay, but it is not an iTunes-only affair, with Spotify and US service iHeartRadio among the third-party apps that will work with it.
Apple stressed that it had safety in mind when designing CarPlay. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction," said vice president of iPhone and iOS product marketing Greg Joswiak.
Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will be showing off their first CarPlay cars this week. All three were included on a slide shown at WWDC of partners for iOS in the Car, so have been working with Apple for some time on in-car technology.
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| Volvo has already released photos of its Apple CarPlay integration |
The company said today it also has deals with 13 more manufacturers to integrate CarPlay in the future: BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.
Here, as in other areas of its business, Apple is engaged in fierce competition with Google, which launched an initiative called the Open Automotive Alliance in January at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. Based on its Android operating system, its founding partners included GM, Honda, Audi and Hyundai.
Volvo Press Release
Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars) and Apple Inc. (Apple) are joining forces to make Apple’s widely-used and hugely admired operating system available to drivers, bringing together one of the world’s most progressive car companies and the world’s most famous technology company.
The alliance promises to transform the in-car experience. Called Apple CarPlay, the new service brings all the features and services familiar to iPad, iPhone or iPod users directly into the car via Volvo Cars' large center console touch screen display.
Volvo Cars enhances Apple’s capabilities by linking them to a specially-developed interface that allows drivers to use voice and steering wheel controls to access Apple features and services, ensuring the entire interaction is always safe and easy to use.
The interaction between Apple’s operating system and Volvo Cars' newly-designed in car software and interface promise to transform the look and feel of a car’s interior. Volvo Cars' interiors will be characterized by their simplicity and functionality, two qualities that unite both Volvo Cars and Apple.
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| Volvo has already released photos of its Apple CarPlay integration |
"Apple’s clean and intuitive user interface is a perfect match with Volvo’s Scandinavian Design approach and our focus on fluid functionality," says Hakan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.
The first car to offer Apple CarPlay will be the all new XC90 SUV which will be introduced later in 2014, one of the most anticipated cars of recent years, replacing the original XC90, which redefined the SUV and became the best selling model in Volvo Cars' history.
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| Volvo has already released photos of its Apple CarPlay integration |
With Apple CarPlay, users will immediately recognize their basic iPhone applications, such as phone, messages, music and navigation. The initial offer also features third party audio apps including Spotify, the popular music streaming service.
Volvo Cars' portrait screen gives users the benefit of having both Volvo Cars and Apple content co-existing simultaneously, removing the need to switch between a dedicated car and iPhone screen.
Apple CarPlay integrates seamlessly with the Volvo Cars' new user interface. Visually, it becomes part of the on-board system, displaying well-known icons for Apple applications.
“iPhone users will feel completely at home in a new Volvo. We have created a wholly-integrated user experience in our large portrait-oriented touch screen that takes the in-car mobile device experience to a new level. That, coupled with the obvious driver safety benefits of an advanced voice control system like Siri, made Apple a perfect match for Volvo," says Hakan Samuelsson.