Apple has announced CarPlay, which is a new in-car software platform. This platform is not a standalone system, but instead it optimises your iPhone for the car. In other words, CarPlay allows you to control and display your iPhone through the car’s built-in screen.

How Does CarPlay Work?

You connect your iPhone to CarPlay, and the platform will essentially optimise your iPhone’s functionality for the car. The primary ways to control the platform is through Siri’s voice commands, the car’s built-in touchscreens, the car’s knobs and button controls.

You can use the platform to command and display your phone’s essential features, like getting directions with the Maps application, listening to music, making phone calls, texting message, and more.

Apple’s Maps application has improved since it’s disappointing launch; however, it still doesn’t perform at the same level as Google Maps. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the Google Maps application will work via the CarPlay platform.

Fortunately, some other third-party applications are supported. Apple has confirmed that the follow music apps will work with CarPlay: Spotify, Podcasts, Beats Music, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher.

Compatibility

Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo will be the first cars to debut CarPlay at the General Motors Show this week. Also, many others car manufactures have expressed intentions to integrate CarPlay into their vehicles, such as General Motors, Peugeot, Nissan, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford and BMW.

CarPlay will come with an iOS 7 update and the platform will initially only support the iPhones with Lightening connectivity (i.e. iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s).

CarPlay in Five Pictures

1. You can control CarPlay with your voice, the car’s built-in touchscreen, or the car’s knobs and control buttons.

2. You can get directions using Apple’s ‘Maps’ application.

3. You can make and return phone calls.

4. You can communicate with texts by dictating and listening; Siri can read, write, and reply to text messages.

5. You can listen to music through CarPlay. You can control your music through the car’s built-in touchscreen or control panels. Alternatively, you can speak to Siri and try to tell it what you want to listen too. CarPlay will also support selected third-party music apps, such as Spotify, Podcasts, Beats Music, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher.

Unfortunately, according to Apple’s website, Malaysia is not yet listed as one of the countries where CarPlay is “coming soon”. So far the list of countries where CarPlay is first expected to arrive, include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UK ,and USA.

What do you think of CarPlay? Would you like to see it in your car? Post a thought in the comments below.

RECOMMENDED: Watch This Video Demonstrating Apple CarPlay

OTHER RECENT ‘CAR’ STORIES:

• Tesla’s CEO Thanks Social Media for Helping to Save Its Electric Car Reputation
• BMW Has No Immediate Plans to Manufacture Electric Cars in Malaysia
• This is the Future of Touchscreens for Cars

MORE ELECTRIC CAR AND HYBRID CAR STORIES:

• Electric Vehicles in Malaysia: An Overview
• Where are the Electric Car Charging Stations in Malaysia?
• Hybrid Cars in Malaysia: An Overview
• 5 Popular Hybrid Cars Available in Malaysia