CarPlay
Latest
Porsche's track app uses CarPlay to show lap data while you drive
Porsche's Track Precision app now displays lap data on a big screen through CarPlay, and it'll even track your fast-beating heart through your Apple Watch.
CarPlay in your classic Porsche, just what you needed
If you're lucky enough to own a classic Porsche, the German automaker has something special to let you update it in style.
Android Auto is coming to Harley-Davidson motorcycles
With the exception of a couple of late stragglers, Android Auto has become commonplace on most cars. Not so with motorcycles. But that's about to change with Harley-Davidson announcing that it plans to update some of its existing motorcycles to support Android Auto.
Fiat Chrysler's Android-based Uconnect 5 supports Alexa and wireless CarPlay
Fiat Chrysler's collaboration with Google on in-car Android tech is bearing fruit. The car maker has unveiled an Android-based Uconnect 5 infotainment system that should help it keep up with an influx of modern tech. It includes personalization for up to five drivers, and an interface that takes better advantage of screen real estate with "cards" that provide fast access to features like your media or phone contacts. You can order food or pre-authorize fuel, too. However, some of the biggest changes lie underneath the surface -- this is as much about acknowledging the rapid evolution of car tech as anything else.
Ford's Sync 4 system will add wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support
Almost five years after it introduced Sync 3, Ford is updating its in-car infotainment system with a lot of features its customers have been requesting for years. When Sync 4 arrives in select Ford vehicles starting in 2020, it'll include wireless support for both CarPlay and Android Auto. Moreover, some Sync 4 vehicles will include wireless charging, so you'll be able to take one less cable with you when you go for a drive in one of the company's new cars.
YouTube Music now plays nicely with Siri
Siri can now play YouTube Music, meaning you'll no longer have to choose between Apple Music or Spotify to listen through the Apple assistant. The change was made possible by iOS 13, and it works with Apple CarPlay, so you'll get hands-free control of YouTube Music as you drive.
Toyota makes CarPlay and Alexa standard in the 2020 Prius
Toyota has revealed Apple CarPlay will come as standard in all of its 2020 Prius models, along with Alexa and its Safety Connect system. Back in May, Toyota said the plug-in Prius Prime would include CarPlay and Alexa in the 2020 model, but it's expanding availability across the board. Drivers who've been hoping for better connectivity in the Prius will surely welcome CarPlay and Alexa, though it seems Android Auto isn't on the cards just yet.
Sony's new receiver makes it easy to install a 9-inch display in your car
Just in time to take advantage of significant Android Auto updates and upcoming CarPlay enhancements in iOS 13, Sony has announced an updated version of its XAV-AX5000 in-car receiver. In a change from its predecessor, the XAV-AX8000 allows drivers to add a floating touchscreen display to their car. Moreover, the 8.95-inch WVGA display is both bigger and requires only a single DIN space to install, making it easier to install in a wider variety of cars. This new assembly allows the display to tilt, as well as adjust its height and depth. In this way, Sony makes it possible to add a big, spacious display to a car that normally wouldn't have one.
BMW adds an $80 yearly subscription for Apple's CarPlay
BMW has confirmed it will charge a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay. Drivers of 2019 models and onward will get a year's access for free, and then have to pay to continue to use the service, which allows owners to sync their iPhone with the car's infotainment system. It'll cost $80/£85 per year, or as was the previous outright cost, you can buy a lifetime subscription (20 years) for $300/£295. So if you're only planning on using the car for a couple of years, a yearly payment works out cheaper.
Your library's audiobook app now supports Apple CarPlay
Digital reading app Libby has for some time allowed bookworms to play its audiobooks through Android Auto. Following an update that arrived today, folks with CarPlay-enabled infotainment systems can listen to the app's books through their setups too.
Spotify Stations radio app now works with CarPlay
Stations is Spotify's answer to Pandora, letting you tune in and listen to curated music without having to lift a finger. That convenience made it an immediate hit when it launched last month, but one important feature was missing for iOS users: CarPlay support. Spotify has quietly fixed that issue by (as spotted by a Reddit user),and now lets you control your music directly from your in-dash entertainment system.
Apple CarPlay redesign puts multiple apps side-by-side
Apple CarPlay is getting a redesign. Apple announced at its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) that it is overhauling the in-car entertainment system's dashboard to display more relevant information. Users will be able to see a map with directions, music controls, and Siri-powered smart suggestions for relevant apps and commands based on your location or time of day.
A BMW outage made Apple CarPlay unusable
BMW owners in both the US and UK have been locked out of Apple's CarPlay interface on their vehicles due to system-wide outages of ConnectedDrive. 9to5Mac reported that complaints from drivers on both sides of the pond began racking up on social media earlier this week. The German car company's subscription-based connectivity service lets drivers to connect to Apple's CarPlay, which manages everything from navigation to phone calls. With ConnectedDrive being down, cars are unable to confirm that drivers have paid for the CarPlay options in their vehicle.
Toyota's 2020 Prius Prime arrives with CarPlay and Alexa
When Toyota unveiled its revamped Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, we largely liked everything about it -- except for the wonky infotainment system. With the 2020 model, Toyota has corrected that shortcoming, now offering it with both Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa support. They'll come as a standard trim option for all Prius Primes, which start at $27,600, not including the $4,500 federal tax credit.
Toyota brings Alexa and CarPlay to 2018 Camry and Sienna
Good news: you don't have to buy a brand new Toyota (or score a very lightly used model) just to get modern mobile conveniences. The automaker has announced that you can add Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay (sorry, no Android Auto) to the 2018 Camry and Sienna. If you're itching for an upgrade, you can book an appointment for an installation at a dealership. While this isn't going to be much consolation if you're driving another model, this could prove a treat if you've been kicking yourself for buying a Toyota a little too soon.
Toyota adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to its trucks and SUVs
Toyota dragged its heels on smartphone integration for years, but it's making up for that in style. The automaker is introducing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support to its 2020 trucks and SUVs, including the Tacoma (above), Tundra, 4Runner and Sequoia. Yes, you too can navigate with Google Maps or stream Apple Music while you're off-roading. They also support Alexa in case you'd like to bark commands to Amazon's voice assistant.
Kobo's audiobooks are now accessible through CarPlay
Kobo has been slinging e-books for years now, but it's still pretty new to the whole audiobook craze -- the Canadian company (and Rakuten subsidiary) only added spoken-word content to its catalog about a year ago. Thankfully, Kobo recently made it a little easier to keep listening to Caroline Kepnes' You after you've gotten cozy behind the wheel. Devotees can now listen to their Kobo audiobooks through Apple CarPlay-compatible infotainment systems — just connect the phone to your car, fire up the app, and you're off to the races (so to speak).
Google Maps works with Apple CarPlay following iOS 12 update
We've known since WWDC in June that iOS 12 would herald the arrival of Google Maps on CarPlay. Apple released the latest version of the iPhone and iPad software Monday, and after Google updated its app to support CarPlay, you can now use that navigation option on your car's infotainment system.
GM goes full-smartphone with its latest infotainment system
Many of us are using CarPlay and Android Auto to essentially replace the infotainment systems in our cars. Automakers like Audi, Mercedes and really anyone putting metal on four tires is taking notice of this trend and have started working hard to win those smartphone users back to their systems. The latest is GM which has taken quite a lot of cues from the tech world for its latest offering.
Apple CarPlay will add Google Maps and Waze support with iOS 12
Other than a few small updates over the years, Apple's CarPlay infotainment system hasn't changed much. Fortunately, for fans of plugging their iPhone into their cars, CarPlay is getting the number one requested feature; the ability to use third-party navigation apps.
