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CarPlay

449 'CarPlay' stories June 2013 - January 2017
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CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car. CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display.

Apple CarPlay Guide 9to5Mac

CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car. CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display.

“It’s a car, it’s a phone, it’s an Internet communicator…It’s a car, it’s a phone… are you getting it!”

Apple first announced CarPlay in 2013 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) under the name “iOS in the Car.” The initial release supported basic functions like calls, messages, maps, and music. The $120k+ Ferrari FF was the first car to feature the new technology. It wasn’t until March 2014, with the release of iOS 7.1, that Apple rebranded the product to CarPlay. And the rest is history.

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Ford, Toyota, and more form alliance to prevent Apple and Google from taking over the in-car experience

Avatar for Michael Potuck Jan 4 2017 - 7:50 am PT
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A report from Bloomberg today takes note that Ford and Toyota have joined forces with four other automakers and some electronics suppliers to form the SmartDeviceLink Consortium. The alliance has shared its main goal of creating more choice for connecting smartphones with vehicles, which in turn could create some friction with Apple, Google, and their visions for integrating and controlling the user interface inside of cars.


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Castro podcast player app adds CarPlay, iOS 10 widget, 3D Touch Quick Actions, and a 20% price cut

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 28 2016 - 8:52 am PT
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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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Facebook’s Messenger app now supports CallKit on iOS 10, brings VoIP calling to CarPlay

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 21 2016 - 9:48 am PT
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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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BMW now includes a $300 CarPlay option on almost all its vehicles in US

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Aug 31 2016 - 7:19 am PT
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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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As promised, CarPlay compatibility now available on all 2017 Fords; Hyundai Elantra too

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 25 2016 - 5:04 am PT
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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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Apple’s CarPlay set to return in Honda’s 2017 Accord next week

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 24 2016 - 8:27 am PT
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Honda was noticeably slow to the CarPlay scene despite being committed from day one to support Apple’s infotainment feature in 2014. The automaker eventually delivered with CarPlay in the 2016 Accord and Civic, and 2017 Ridgeline, and today Honda announced CarPlay will be returning in the 2017 Accord, one of the most popular cars on the road. Honda’s new Accord is hitting showroom floors on Monday and will start at $22,355.

The 2017 Accord carries over the expanded LED exterior lighting and premium features and technologies of the 2016 model, including the available 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen offered with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, HD Radio®, heated rear seats, and front and rear parking sensors.


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CarPlay in iOS 10: Improved Apple Music, removing & rearranging apps, more

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 14 2016 - 10:12 am PT
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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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BMW will finally launch support for Apple’s CarPlay later this year

Avatar for Jordan Kahn May 20 2016 - 7:01 am PT
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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 ships its giant 9-inch CarPlay display for Jeeps as Kia details its rollout plans

Avatar for Zac Hall May 13 2016 - 9:46 am PT
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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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Volvo announces launch of new V90 Estate, its latest with Apple’s CarPlay

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Feb 18 2016 - 8:20 am PT
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Volvo is today announcing the launch of its latest vehicle, the V90 Estate, which also happens to be the company’s latest with support for Apple’s in-dash iPhone CarPlay feature.

The car is Volvo’s third for its premium 90 series and for that reason is being referred to as a sibling of the S90 sedan and XC90 SUV models that the company previously unveiled (and which also include support for CarPlay). In its press release, the company notes that means the new V90 Estate, like the XC90 and S90 before it, is “built on the company’s specially-designed and fully modular Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).”

“The modern premium estate is all about the intriguing combination of a luxurious experience with the functional origins of the estates silhouette. The sophisticated ambience of our new Volvo Interiors is combined with a great cargo space, providing the right kind of functionality – whether through connectivity or cargo and storage solutions,” said Thomas Ingenlath senior vice president for design at Volvo Cars.

The new V90 delivers cutting-edge Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive technology, the most advanced standard safety package on the market, with large animal detection and run-off road mitigation, and class-leading connectivity including smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay.

The vehicle has full support for Apple’s CarPlay on the V90 Estate’s in-dash system using a connected iPhone. Volvo says the in-dash system on the V90 Estate is the same as in the S90, which includes a 9-inch touchscreen display as pictured above. And here’s a look at the exterior on the V90 Estate:

Volvo first announced support for CarPlay on its 2016 XC90 SUV last year that it later delivered to owners of the vehicle through a software update back in December. Here’s a look at the feature in action in the vehicle:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVNuYMpuI0A]

Earlier this year Apple for the first time offered up an official list of CarPlay partners by year and model via a new webpage, but it has yet to update it to note the new Volvo V90 Estate launching today.