CarPlay

Audi rolling out CarPlay and Android Auto in 2015 vehicles

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Audi announced on Thursday that it will be integrating both the CarPlay and Android Auto software platforms into the Multimedia Interface for its premium lineup of vehicles. The new functions will be available for new Audi models starting in 2015, marking a milestone for the car manufacturer in terms of smartphone integration.

Audi was a founding member of the Google Open Automotive Alliance earlier this year, and already offers navigation via Google Maps and streaming music via Google Play Music. CarPlay integration will also bring iOS to its vehicle lineup, following close dialog between the Audi development lab in Silicon Valley and Apple…

Apple adds MLB At Bat to its list of CarPlay-enabled apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2014

Apple's in-car entertainment solution, CarPlay, features limited support for third-party applications, ranging from Stitcher and Apple's own Podcasts to Beats Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Previously demoed at WWDC earlier this month, you can now put MLB At Bat on the list of officially supported CarPlay apps, according to Apple's own CarPlay webpage...

Apple shows off Chevy Spark CarPlay integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 4, 2014

CarPlay, Apple's in-car entertainment solution which integrates the iPhone into your car in a safe manner, is receiving some welcomed attention at the WWDC show in San Francisco.

Apple hinted at CarPlay demonstrations by parking a Ferrari inside the Moscone West building, right in front of the keynote line.

Indeed, the company is now using these vehicles to show off CarPlay integration to select members of the press. Among them is the USA Today newspaper whose reporter was able to sneak a peek on CarPlay features in a Chevy Spark.

The video is right after the jump...

Volvo confirms XC90 SUV is its first CarPlay vehicle

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2014

Aside from Mercedes-Benz and Ferari, Volvo is another launch partner for Apple's in-car software feature, dubbed CarPlay. After recently announcing a new version of its popular XC90 SUV, the Swedish company today confirmed the vehicle files as its first car model with native CarPlay integration.

CarPlay on the XC90 is provided alongside Volvo's built-in technology from Here and it enables familiar features like phone, navigation, music, Siri and more - all within an arm's reach via the vehicle's centre console touchscreen display...

Ferrari and other cars parked inside Moscone West. More CarPlay news at WWDC?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Ferrari is one of the three CarPlay launch partners (along with Volvo and Mercedes-Benz) so we're not shocked that a Ferrari sports vehicle has been spotted inside the Moscone West building and right in front of the keynote line.

With CarPlay in iOS 8 allegedly gaining support for wireless connections between the vehicle and your iOS device - and who knows what else - this could signal Apple's desire to take CarPlay mainstream and perhaps announce during the keynote additional CarPlay features/partners, expanded CarPlay availability, in-dash aftermarket solutions and what not...

Pioneer video shows off aftermarket CarPlay kit

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 16, 2014

Pioneer last month announced five aftermarket options aimed at enabling CarPlay on older vehicles, with Apple confirming both Pioneer and Alpine aftermarket CarPlay integration coming later this year.

Today, the Japanese company has shown off how Apple's in-car solution works in tandem with its NEX dash systems and we have a video right after he jump. Just like native CarPlay integration, customers simply plug in their handset and the NEX hardware then takes over and displays CarPlay interface on a built-in capacitive touchscreen (still a rarity in aftermarket systems)...

Pioneer exec talks CarPlay and what it’s like to work with Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Since Apple announced CarPlay last month, the most common question has been about aftermarket products. Most folks don't have the money to just go out and buy a brand new car, so they want to know when they'll be able to install the system in their current vehicle.

Initially, the prognoses didn't look very good, but Apple confirmed last week that both Alpine and Pioneer are working on aftermarket CarPlay solutions to be released this year. And recently, MacRumors sat down with Pioneer's Ted Cardenas to talk about the project...

Apple officially endorses CarPlay aftermarket kits by Alpine and Pioneer

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 17, 2014

Apple on March 2 took the wraps off CarPlay, its in-car solution formerly known as iOS in the Car. The company said the feature would premier with only three premium brands - Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Ferrari - while naming two dozen additional manufacturers who pledged their support for the software.

Outside these launch partners, only Hyundai has thus far gone on the record officially confirming that CarPlay functionality will be available on its new mid-size 2015 Sonata sedan that will be available to buy at dealerships. Toyota initially said it would add CarPlay to select 2015 vehicles, but quickly changed its mind.

Realizing there's money to be made from CarPlay, makers of in-car electronic systems Alpine and Pioneer both announced aftermarket CarPlay kits for older vehicles. We wondered whether these kits were Apple-sanctioned. Looks like we've gotten our answer as the iPhone maker has now added Alpine and Pioneer's upcoming kits to its CarPlay webpage...

Hyundai confirms CarPlay functionality on all-new 2015 Sonatas

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 28, 2017

Japanese car maker Hyundai today officially confirmed that CarPlay functionality will be available in its upcoming 2015 Sonata vehicles. CarPlay launch partners include Volvo, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, but many other manufacturers have pledged to support Apple's in-car system later this year, Hyundai being one of them.

The new version of the mid-size Sonata sedan was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show earlier today with premium design, a stiffer body structure, improved ride quality, a quieter cabin and "class-above safety features."

It's slated to hit dealerships early this summer...

Pioneer confirms five aftermarket options bringing CarPlay to older vehicles in early-summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 15, 2014

A Pioneer customer service representative yesterday said the company's been looking into the possibility of implementing CarPlay compatibility with both its existing and future products.

Sure enough, the maker of in-car electronic systems today announced five CarPlay aftermarket options.

Chances are you're not rich enough to buy a brand new Ferrari, Mercedes or Volvo just to enjoy CarPlay so these kits will be Godsent to those looking to put CarPlay into older vehicles that officially don't support Apple's in-car system...

Alpine’s upcoming $500-$700 CarPlay aftermarket kits arriving this Fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 14, 2014

CarPlay, Apple's in-car system formerly known as iOS in the Car, launched last month requiring an iPhone running iOS 7.1 and one of the compatible 2014 cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. A bunch of other car vendors have promised to bring support for CarPlay to their vehicles throughout 2014, but not everyone is rich enough to buy a brand new car just to enjoy CarPlay.

Pioneer Electronics is reportedly considering rolling out CarPlay aftermarket kits for older vehicles and Mercedes-Benz has similar plans of its own. And now, car electronics manufacturer Alpine is said to offer CarPlay aftermarket kits in the United States and Europe this Fall, with a cost of around $500 to $700...

Microsoft’s own CarPlay is predictably called Windows in the car

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 7, 2014

At the annual Build conference in San Francisco last week, software giant Microsoft unveiled its upcoming new platform for automotive, Windows in the car. The software, which appears to have borrowed some ideas from Apple's CarPlay, could succeed Sync, Microsoft's ill-fated in-car solution running on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system.

Microsoft's largest partner for Sync, Ford, in February announced plans to stop producing Sync-equipped vehicles. Seeing where things were heading, coupled with weak support from car manufacturers, probably played an important factor in the decision to come up with a connected car software of the future, from scratch...