by It’s been a while since we’ve heard much substantial about Apple’s CarPlay system, but the company broke that silence today with an updated page that confirmed the support of nine brands (many of them from the Fiat-Chrysler group) — namely Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Mazda, and RAM.
That’s a significant addition to the existing list, although we likely won’t see CarPlay-compatible cars from the brands in question until 2015 or beyond. If you’re interested in picking up CarPlay this year, your best bet is to look out for the models on the this year from Hyundai, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and (supposedly, for now) Honda.
Originally called “iOS in the Car” at its demo during WWDC 2013, Carplay integrates iOS apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, and Music into the car’s built-in dashboard display. Drivers and passengers can control their iPhone 5s, 5c, and 5 units by touching the CarPlay interface itself or calling out commands to Siri. It’s a mixture of safety and convenience, as it allows control over your iPhone and without having to worry about taking your eyes off the road.
Fortunately for those of us who don’t want to go out and buy a new car to enjoy the service, aftermarket console makers Alpine and Pioneer are making their own CarPlay devices that will bring the technology to older and currently unsupported vehicles.
Follow this article’s writer,
