Apple's In-car Infotainment System is Only for iPhone Users
Vroom, vroom, Siri.
Though Apple is not always first to market with a new product, devices like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad have played a huge role in shaping their respective categories. Analysts are always trying to predict Apple's next big thing, and we've heard a lot about smart watches and TVs over the last couple of years. But could that next big thing be cars?
This past weekend, rumors did the rounds that said Apple was gearing up to place its iOS mobile operating system in cars. Specifically, the Financial Times reported that Apple had worked out a deal that will see iOS inside Mercedes Benz, Volvo and Ferrari automobiles. The announcement was pegged for this week, at the Geneva Motor Show, which takes place in Switzerland. That kicks off this coming Thursday and runs through to March 16. However, despite the fact that the show is still several days away from starting, Apple has already confirmed the news.
Dubbed CarPlay, this version of iOS will include maps, GPS routing, iTunes, Siri, and the ability to make calls and send messages via the iPhone and iMessage. Though Mercedes, Volvo and Ferrari are the only ones showing off cars with CarPlay this week, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota are all on board as future CarPlay partners.
What's interesting is that Apple doesn't seem to be leveraging CarPlay as a way to grow its iPhone user base. Instead, the company is catering exclusively to iPhone users. It seems rather straightforward. Apple is pitching CarPlay as a more fun and safer way to use your iPhone in the car, so if you don't have an iPhone, this isn't for you. Still, if Apple had implemented this system in a way that provided enough functionality as a standalone system, CarPlay could have acted as a steppingstone for those who haven't felt compelled to go iPhone over the last seven years. That said, Apple has never really been the inclusive type, so to hear the company's partnering with automakers on an infotainment system exclusively for iPhone users is not at all surprising.
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I have heard the same thing about Windows Phone 8.1. A former boss and friend had them and love them.
I think it is a mistake to limit it just to their phones. Not everyone who buys a car with it will only have a iPhone.
Then again that is Apple. If they can't control the hardware/software they don't allow it.
My wife has a 2013 Taurus Limited with Sync and it is pretty nice so far.
Microsoft already has a system in place with Ford/Lincoln called Sync. They might change it to a Windows based kernel at some time but as of right now it is compatible with iOS/Android/Windows Phone/BB. Pretty much as long as it supports BT it will work with Sync and it was one of the first hands free like this and works very well.
On the other hand, this is Apple being more monopolistic as they want you to use only their products. That's fine and dandy but still annoying.
I think they mean that if you have the phone, then you can use CarPlay (which as I see it is just an extended touch screen for the iPhone). My guess is that when a phone is not connected, the screen displays the manufacturer's OEM infotainment. It appears to be acting as an extension of how plugging a phone via USB gives access to contacts and music via steering wheel and infotainment controls; CarPlay just seems to be a way to 'make your car an iPhone accessory'. I could further speculate that the manufacturer could offer a system which can switch between OEM, CarPlay, and future Android based systems on-the-fly.
It would be silly if either 1) you have absolutely no infotainment in the car if an iPhone is not present, or 2) that the manufacturer doesn't offer an OEM system if the first point is actually true (but like most car accessories, these are usually optional extras).
So, if Apple WERE leveraging CarPlay to grow its iPhone user base, I would suspect they would either enforce 1) or 2), which would be absolutely absurd.