CarPlay →

The Apple PR Machine:

Apple today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri without distraction. Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.

The interface looks great, but there’s been chatter about a lack of third-party apps. Currently, Apple lists the following apps on its website as being compatible with CarPlay:

  • Podcasts
  • Beats Radio
  • iHeartRadio
  • Spotify
  • Sticher

The company promises that “even more support apps are coming soon,” and while I’d like to use my podcast client of choice with a system like this, I get why Apple’s keeping things closed right now. I’m not sure opening this up to the entire development community would be the best idea, as this thing is front-and-center while driving a car.

I did chuckle at this bit from Apple’s press release, though:

Apple has led consumer technology integration in the car for more than a decade. CarPlay brings your car and iPhone together for a thoughtful experience that lets drivers focus on driving, while also tapping into everything they want to do with their iPhone.

If by “consumer technology integration,” the company meant “selling FM transmitters in our stores,” I guess they’re right.