Apple brings iOS experience to cars with CarPlay

Apple has unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show its new in-car technology called CarPlay which offers users a “smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car.”

Apple CarPlay is integrated in the car’s built-in display and works together with your iPhone so you can make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch.

CarPlay can be controlled via the car’s knobs, buttons, or touch screen. Siri voice control can be activated as well by just pressing and holding the voice control button on the steering wheel. From there Siri will accept and respond to your voice commands, read your messages, let you dictate responses, or make a call for you so you can focus on the road.

“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction. We have an amazing lineup of auto partners rolling out CarPlay, and we’re thrilled it will make its debut this week in Geneva.”

Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will debut their CarPlay-equipped cars this week in Geneva, followed by BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.

Apple CarPlay is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5. CarPlay will be available in select cars shipping in 2014.

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