Apple has announced its rebranded “CarPlay” iOS vehicle integration feature at the Geneva International Motor Show. The feature, previously known as “iOS in the Car,” allows an iPhone to take over the console display in a vehicle, thus providing Siri-controlled access to navigation, music, phone, and messaging features.
Once a Lightning-enabled iPhone is connected, the feature can be summoned and controlled on compatible cars through Siri voice control, a touchscreen, and on-board buttons. From there, users are able to access various iOS apps such as Maps, Phone, Messages, Podcasts, and Music.
Support for third-party apps, including iHearRadio, Beats Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify is included, with more apps sure to come.
CarPlay will be available for demonstration in cars by Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo this week with the cars going on sale later this year. Other car makers such as BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota are also on-board, and CarPlay should begin showing up in their vehicles a little later.
“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we’re thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva.”
The feature, originally tabbed “iOS in the Car,” debuted last year at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. The feature has since been reportedly plagued by development issues.
Apple has also a debuted a new area on its online website, describing the various features of CarPlay.
CarPlay will work with Lighting connector-enabled iPhones including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5.
