CarPlay

As CES 2021 kicks off this week, Pioneer Electronics has announced its newest in-dash receiver with support for CarPlay. The new DMH-WC5700NEX features support for both wireless and wired CarPlay, and will be available sometime this summer.

The beta test of Waze CarPlay Dashboard mode was apparently successful, as the feature is now rolling out in a new update to the release version after just a couple of weeks of testing.

Dashboard mode means that you can see Waze directions on your CarPlay home screen, alongside audio controls, meaning less need to switch between screens, which is safer as well as more convenient …

Microsoft has announced a variety of changes to its Microsoft Teams application today, including integration with Apple CarPlay. Microsoft Teams is also adding new options for recording meetings, transferring calls, and more.

Apple’s CarPlay platform is one of the best ways to bring the iPhone experience to your car’s infotainment system. A few years ago, Apple introduced wireless CarPlay, which allows you to forgo the Lightning cable, but adoption has been limited so far.

The CPLAY2air wireless CarPlay adapter aims to solve that problem by allowing you to seamlessly cut the CarPlay cord for a completely wireless experience. Head below for a hands-on video look at the CPLAY2air wireless adapter, which can transform your wired CarPlay experience to a wireless one with ease.

Chevrolet unveiled this week the new 2021 Corvette Stingray, which will be available later this year. In addition to everything that has changed in the newest model, the 2021 Corvette includes Wireless CarPlay support, built-in Qi charger, and other modern features.

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Apple CarPlay improves every year with software updates for the iPhone. This year is no different with iOS 14 and new features like wallpaper support.

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We have been reporting on Apple’s upcoming ‘CarKey’ feature for a while now, and the latest iOS 13.6 beta gives us our best confirmation yet that the feature is imminent. On iOS 13.6, if you go to the Privacy information for Apple Wallet, Apple details several paragraphs about adding a car key to the Wallet app — a feature that the company has not yet officially announced. The find was first spotted by iPhone Ticker.

As the copy has been updated in 13.6 but not in prior releases, it suggests that Apple may be planning to launch Car Key with the release of iOS 13.6, rather than waiting for iOS 14. The company may very well announce Car Key as part of WWDC next week.

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A few years ago I replaced my 2005 Honda Civic from high school with a 2017 model. The car itself felt twelve years newer in every way but one.

My old car stereo was replaced with an aftermarket Wireless CarPlay head unit. The tenth generation Honda Civic included standard CarPlay, and I wasn’t interested in replacing the stock entertainment system in a brand new car.

Three years later, it’s now possible to add both Wireless CarPlay and Qi charging for around $200 — all without replacing any hardware.

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A few years ago my wife and I purchased two new Hondas. My Civic came with Apple CarPlay, but her HR-V had a basic entertainment system. We were both used to driving with CarPlay by then, so we upgraded her system with an Alpine unit with Wireless CarPlay. I really wanted Wireless CarPlay, but replacing my entertainment system was too disruptive.

Now there’s a solution for turning standard CarPlay into Wireless CarPlay, at least for some models, and it actually works!

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While CarPlay head units have become common in-car and aftermarket, Porsche is looking to tackle a new segment of the market. The automaker has announced a new line of head units designed for classic Porsche cars, and they’re available starting today.

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Wireless CarPlay is still rare in 2020, so it’s always great news to see new cars offer the premium version of Apple’s infotainment feature. As 9to5Mac‘s sister site Electrek reports, Chevy’s new car of the future will be equipped with Wireless CarPlay and more modern features not widely available in new cars.

Update: Wireless CarPlay unfortunately did not make release for the 2021 model as originally planned. Customers can expect wired CarPlay in the 2021 model, and wireless CarPlay in the 2022 model.

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Pioneer was first to bring Apple CarPlay to aftermarket receivers over five years ago. The electronics company is shipping a major upgrade to its NEX in-dash receivers in 2020. Newly announced Pioneer receivers will best most of the standard CarPlay receivers included in new cars today.

Pioneer has one model in particular that I’m anticipating the most: DMH-WT8600NEX. This is their new state-of-the-art 10.1-inch floating receiver with Wireless CarPlay.

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Alpine has debuted its latest CarPlay receiver at CES that features a massive screen as large as an iPad Pro. The new Alpine Halo 11 iLX-F411 features 49% more real estate with its capacitive touch screen than the 9-inch Halo.

Alpine has also debuted the first weather-resistant 9-inch CarPlay receiver designed for the recent Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models.

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CarPlay is Apple’s feature that brings communication and entertainment functions to the built-in screen in your car using iPhone apps. The feature appears on a lot of aftermarket displays and new cars that you can buy today.

As CarPlay support shows up from more manufacturers, we’re also seeing more developers enable CarPlay capabilities in their own apps. Once you install these apps on your iPhone, they appear on your CarPlay-enabled display when you connect your iPhone. Read on for the growing list of iPhone apps that support CarPlay. Expand
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Apple CarPlay is hands-down the safest way to interact with your iPhone in the car. That’s because you never actually touch your iPhone while driving, something you should never ever do anyway. Instead you control navigation, communication, and entertainment with Siri and a simplified interface on your car’s screen.

But what if your car doesn’t have a built-in display or the one it has doesn’t work with Apple CarPlay? The good news is you don’t necessarily have to go out and buy a brand new car. In most cases, you can buy and have a really good in-dash system installed for $200 to $1,000. However, picking the right solution before you make the investment is important. Here are a few tips:

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BMW began offering Apple’s CarPlay service on its cars in 2016. The German car maker decided to charge $300 to include the feature, which then turned into a $80-a-year subscription. After complaints from consumers, the company seems to have rethought its strategy on the availability of CarPlay, which now should no longer have any extra cost to users.

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Ford has announced its latest in-car multimedia system today, SYNC 4. The new system will bring wireless CarPlay support to some of the company’s 2020 vehicles with screen sizes ranging from 8- to 15.5-inches.

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Spotify has today released its iOS 13 update, which allows users to ask Siri to play albums and playlists using their voice. This brings Spotify up to par with other music apps; SiriKit integration for audio apps was exclusive to Apple Music until iOS 13.

To use Spotify with Siri, install the update and then ask to play an album or song ‘with Spotify’. The update also allows hands-free control through CarPlay. Spotify is also launching a tvOS app for Apple TV today.

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