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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.
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.
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.
CarPlay and Android Auto now available on older Mazda models
Mazda has lagged behind other car manufacturers when it's come to introducing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its range, only bringing them in as standard from the 2018 Mazda 6 and 2019 CX-9 and CX-5. Now, though, the technology can be retrofitted to all vehicles equipped with Mazda Connect from the 2014 model year. But the upgrade doesn't come cheap.
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.
Ford adds Android Auto and CarPlay to its 2016 vehicles
As it promised last year at CES, Ford has started updating 2106 Sync 3-equipped vehicles with Android Auto and CarPlay. That means drivers who have so far settled for the automaker's in-house setup will essentially get a brand new infotainment system if they'd rather switch. Android Auto users can update via WiFi or the USB port, while drivers who want CarPlay will have to make a trip to their dealer and pay a fee.
Apple CarPlay is now in 200 cars, including 2017 models
Over 200 vehicles now support Apple's in-car infotainment system, the tech giant boasted on its website. Apple has updated its CarPlay-compatible vehicle list with 50 new entries, some of which are upcoming 2017 models from Audi, Honda, Kia, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Volkswagen. While Audi's list includes the 2018 version of the Q5 luxury crossover SUV, the other new additions to the page are current and older (2014-2016) vehicles. One older but notable entry is the 2017 BMW 5 series -- as 9to5mac noted, it'll be the first car with built-in wireless CarPlay.
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 delivers power and luxury
As a kid, I marveled at the Cadillac owned by my parents' friend. You could roll down the windows with the push of a button! My father would comment that it was just another thing that would break. A few years later, you couldn't roll down two of the windows on that car. For a while that was what car buyers could expect from the American luxury brand: features that failed after a few years. Flash forward to now and all those bells and whistles that caught my attention as a child are now standard on most cars. So now Cadillac has to up both its game and build quality, and with the 2016 CT6, it succeeds.
CarPlay and Android Auto will be in Cadillac's 2016 models
Following in the footsteps of sibling Chevrolet, Cadillac has also revealed its plans to support both CarPlay and Android Auto. This is yet another move by the automaker's parent company, General Motors, to not miss out on the new wave of in-car features from Apple and Google. Cadillac says it's all part of a major overhaul to CUE, the 8-inch infotainment system that's been powering its vehicles for the past few years. You can expect to see CarPlay in most 2016 Cadillacs this summer (save for the SRX Crossover), while Android Auto compatibility is scheduled to arrive at a later, undisclosed date.
Apple CarPlay will also control your vehicle's apps
Apple's in-car operating system, CarPlay, is about to get a major boost. The company has announced at WWDC 2015 that it will soon let you control additional parts of your vehicle, directly from the iPhone-powered software. This means CarPlay can work together with apps created by manufacturers, making it easier for them to integrate their auto features with the service. As a result, you should expect to see other useful tools in CarPlay mode -- like monitoring fuel efficiency and more, similar to what's on the Watch. On stage, Apple CEO Tim Cook also highlighted CarPlay's ability to pair with infotainments wirelessly, which was introduced in iOS 8.3.
iHeartRadio and Rdio are ready for CarPlay, but your car isn't
Online radio streaming app iHeartRadio has just made good on its promise to add support for CarPlay, Apple's new car infotainment system. But, it's not the only app joining Spotify on CarPlay today -- Rdio, a free music streaming service with offline playback, is tagging along. By introducing optimized apps for Cupertino's car platform, both online services make it easier for users to navigate their interfaces on an onboard screen. Sadly, there are very few people who can actually enjoy the updates right now, as CarPlay's only available on Ferrari FFs and select Pioneer in-dash systems, though most automakers promise to load it on their vehicles' entertainment systems in the future. Other web services also vow to eventually introduce optimized apps for the platform, including CBS News Radio and, of course, Beats Music.
