What is CarPlay?
Posted January 26th, 2016 by Hunter S in News
Connecting your iPhone to your car via Bluetooth is good, it allows you to take a phone call hand free. Maybe you can even send a text message via voice controls through the car. Apple has created CarPlay. It is not super new software; it has been around since when iOS 7 came out, but it offers your car many more features than just placing a hands free call.
CarPlay Features
When you plug your iPhone into your car, and launch CarPlay (Different based on the brand/model of car you have), you will see a user interface very similar to how your iPhone looks. Starting with the beautifully designed user interface. You will also notice Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, Now Playing, Podcasts, Audiobooks and other options right on the CarPlay home screen
If you wish to get some directions, simply press Maps. To start playing your music just select Music. To make a phone call just select Phone. Apple has made CarPlay to work very seamless and to be very similar to how your iPhone looks. This way, you already know how to use CarPlay because it is so similar to your iPhone.
CarPlay also works very well with knobs, touch, and voice controls.
Other Apps
CarPlay is not just compatible with apps that are the defaults on your iPhone. You can download more apps from the App Store, a couple examples include Pandora and CBS Radio.
Compatible iPhones
To be able to use CarPlay, you will want to make sure you have an iPhone that is compatible. The iPhones that are compatible with CarPlay as of when this article was written are: iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus.
Compatible Cars
Not every single car comes with CarPlay, but more and more continue to have it. Some of the car manufactures that do offer CarPlay include: Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and others.
You can view a full list of the car manufactures and models by going to this list on Apple’s website: http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/
If you do not have one of those cars, no need to worry. CarPlay can be added to your car with an aftermarket system from either Alpine, Pioneer, or Kenwood.
Please use CarPlay safely and do not let it distract you while driving. More information on CarPlay can be found at Apple’s website here: www.apple.com/ios/carplay.
In all, we think that CarPlay is a great feature that allows the iPhone to work with your car very easily. If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to leave us a comment in the comments section below.