CarPlay

Castro, an inbox-based podcast player for iPhone, today released a major update (version 2.2) with a handful of new features. Along with a 20% price cut, the update headlines the addition of CarPlay, a new widget for the iOS 10 lock screen, 3D Touch Quick Actions, and more.

Get Castro for $3.99 in the App Store, but note it is only available for iPhone — there is no iPad or Mac counterpart. Here’s a look at what’s new in the latest update …

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The 2017 Jeep Compass unveiled this week will be one of the first new Jeep models to add Apple CarPlay stock via the latest in-dash entertainment platform from Fiat Chrysler dubbed Uconnect 4.0.

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BMW today announced in a press release that the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan will be the first car to hit market and support wireless CarPlay. The 5 Series Sedan will begin hitting the road around the world in February 2017.

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iOS 10 lets third-party developers use the standard call look and feel from the Phone app in their own apps with something known as CallKit, and Facebook’s latest update to Messenger is already taking advantage of it. Messenger for iOS has let you make calls over the Internet to your friends for a while, and now incoming calls to Messenger will behave just like standard phone calls. This improved behavior even extends to CarPlay.

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Apple’s CarPlay feature continues to pop up in more new cars this year including several new models with Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect 4.0 infotainment system. The latest cars to offer CarPlay include the 2017 model Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger.

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CarPlay has been a long time coming to BMW, but it now looks like the system is available as a $300 option across almost all models.

We saw back in May that it was on the way to the X5 and X6 M, and a month later the same option appeared for the M3 and M4, suggesting that BMW might have been reserving it for higher-end models. As of today, though, ‘Apple CarPlay Compatibility’ appears as an entertainment option across most of the range …

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CarPlay is showing up in plenty of new car models this year, but it’s much cheaper to replace the radio in the car you already own to get CarPlay for yourself. Sony is joining the aftermarket CarPlay scene this fall with its new and relatively affordable XAV-AX100 receiver.

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Following a report from earlier this week detailing Apple’s appointment of former executive Bob Mansfield to run its secretive ‘Project Titan’ Apple Car project, Bloomberg offers details on hires from BlackBerry and Ford.

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Ford announced back in January that all 2017 models would offer CarPlay compatibility through its Sync 3 infotainment system, and the company has today confirmed that this applies across its full range of vehicles: cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified vehicles. You will, of course, have to purchase Sync 3 as an option if it is not included as standard in your chosen vehicle.

The first 2017 models are already on sale at dealerships, including the Escape, Fusion, Mustang and Explorer, with others due later this year. In addition, the company has promised to bring CarPlay to 2016 models equipped with Sync 3, though the wording – ‘opportunity to upgrade’ – sounds like you’ll have to pay for the privilege …

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CarPlay is something I’ve been following (and using) since it launched it late 2014. It was better than the status quo in many ways when it launched but had obvious room for improvements. iOS 9.3 made significant improvements to CarPlay by including the full Apple Music experience and upgraded Maps features. When iOS 10 debuts later this fall, CarPlay will get even better thanks to a variety of small improvements that add up to simpler experience.

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Earlier this year, a leaked pricing list indicated that BMW was set to bring CarPlay support to its X5 M and X6 M models this year, a first for the company. Now, BMW’s pricing list for the 2017 M3 and M4 have emerged, and it again lists CarPlay as an option for customers.

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While recent reports have detailed talks between Apple and BMW related to Apple’s behind-the-scenes electric car project, BMW has long been one of the last major holdouts to bring Apple’s current in-dash CarPlay platform to its vehicles. That looks like it will change later this year when at least two models will get support for CarPlay.
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Alpine unveiled its 9-inch aftermarket display with CarPlay support back in January, and starting this week the giant screen is now available for purchase. Alpine’s i109-WRA Restyle dash system isn’t cheap, however, as the 9-inch CarPlay screen retails for $2500 and only works with 2011 and newer Jeep Wranglers. Kia is also making news in the CarPlay space this week as the auto company detailed upcoming availability on three of its 2016 and 2017 model cars.

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Ford today announced that its first vehicle to offer support for Apple’s iPhone-connected, in-dash CarPlay system will be the 2017 Escape going on sale in May.

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