CarPlay was announced by Apple in March with great fanfare and high interest from iPhone users. The technology was expected to put Apple Maps, music and other iOS apps on the built-in screens on a host of auto models, including cars from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Late last month Apple announced support from Jeep, Mazda, Ram, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat. Ford, GM, BMW Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota were also thought to be partners. Apple's CarPlay web page says the feature will debut in 2014 model cars.
CarPlay was in in addition to Apple's Siri Eyes Free technology, which is available on select Honda, Acura and BMW cars. Siri Eyes Free lets you press a button in the car and engage Siri through the Bluetooth system to send text messages and emails, read messages, check the weather, and get audio for turn-by-turn navigation.
Siri Eyes Free is out in the wild, and having used it in my own car I'm thrilled with the functionality. But there hasn't been a single car released to date that supports CarPlay. According to 24/7 Wall Street, several car manufacturers are delaying CarPlay, including Mercedes, Volvo and Honda. Hyundai still plans a launch this year but no dates.
Meanwhile, Google has stepped into the act with Android Auto, which claims similar features. And MirrorLink, developed by Nokia, works with several smartphone operating systems but not iOS.
When CarPlay was announced, I wondered what would motivate car companies to sideline their own efforts at selling expensive, high profit navigation and music systems, and let Apple in on the deal. Of course, Apple has a terrific smartphone market share, especially in the U.S.
At any rate, you can't buy a car with CarPlay yet, and it sounds like the rush has slowed down a bit as automakers may be rethinking their strategies and partnerships.
What's going on with Apple CarPlay? originally appeared on TUAW: Apple news, reviews and how-tos since 2004 on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.