“Over the last week, I drove the closest thing we have to an Apple Car right now: a 2016 Chevy Malibu equipped with support for Apple CarPlay,” Jason Cipriani writes for Fortune. “Yet you could easily replace the make and model with any vehicle that supports CarPlay. A complete list of car manufacturers offering CarPlay compatible models can be found online.”
“This was my first experience with CarPlay, or for that matter, any sort of system designed to duplicate smartphone’s capabilities inside a car. I went into this experience unsure of what to expect, and I came out of it rather surprised by the overall experience,” Cipriani writes. “Initial setup was a breeze. Using my iPhone’s Lightning cable, I connected my smartphone to the Malibu. A prompt asked me to unlock my iPhone and grant the Malibu permission to access my device using CarPlay. This was a one-time setup process with future connections requiring that I simply connect my iPhone to the Lightning cable to begin using CarPlay. With CarPlay activated, a familiar but limited grid of app icons displayed on the screen. Phone, Messages, Maps, Music, Podcasts, Now Playing, and Audiobooks populated first followed by MLB’s At Bat app.”
“Using Apple’s own apps will provide a nearly identical experience to those found on your iPhone, albeit a more simplified version,” Cipriani writes. “In Messages, for example, immediately after tapping on the icon, Siri asks for the message recipient. After stating a name, Siri asks for the message body before the virtual assistant reads the text back for accuracy. Once done, Siri sends the message—all without you having to take your eyes off the road. Placing a phone call follows a similar process.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Note to luxury vehicle makers: If you don’t have Apple’s CarPlay, you’re doomed.
Note to peddlers of poorly-made cheapo tin cans: Make sure you include Android Auto for the rabble.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s CarPlay vs. Android Auto – January 25, 2016
Ars Technica: One week with Apple’s CarPlay – January 22, 2016
Apple blocked Volkswagen from demonstrating wireless CarPlay at CES – January 8, 2016
Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep to offer Apple’s CarPlay in vehicles – January 4, 2016
Toyota, QNX, others adopt Ford’s SmartDeviceLink platform – January 4, 2016
Which Mercedes-Benz vehicles will have Apple’s CarPlay in 2016 – December 14, 2015
Apple’s CarPlay attracting vehicle buyers GM dealers say – December 14, 2015
The Verge reviews Apple’s CarPlay: ‘Miles better than your car’s interface’ – September 4, 2015
WSJ reviews Apple CarPlay: Siri’s finally on the right road – August 18, 2015
Hands on with Apple’s CarPlay in the new Corvette – August 10, 2015
2016 Honda Accord delivers Apple CarPlay – July 24, 2015
GM to roll out Apple’s CarPlay across 14 Chevy models this year – May 27, 2015
Apple’s CarPlay success shows the power of having a long-term strategy – March 15, 2015
Apple’s real CarPlay: Cupertino doesn’t need to build cars in order to reinvent driving – February 28, 2015
Ford drops reputation-scorching Microsoft Sync, enables support for Apple’s sought-after CarPlay – December 12, 2014
Apple’s CarPlay looks like the future of in-car infotainment – April 13, 2014