It’s not surprising that the latest and greatest wave of technology has Apple riding in the front. The company revealed the new in-car iPhone operating system, Car Display, this week at the Geneva Motor Show, which will now allow iPhone users the add-on option of having all your iPhone functions built into your dashboard display.
How it works:
The new technology is only compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPhone 5c, and will be an add-on option from many manufacturers when purchasing your vehicle. The system will connect to iPhones using the Lightning Connector, pulling data and information directly from your iPhone. You’ll then be able to operate the functions on your phone completely hands-free, using Siri as your guide. Siri will be able to access your messages, read them to you aloud, and allow you to reply to your messages via voice, as well as access your contacts and make calls. You’ll also be able to access your iTunes playlists for music, as well as use the navigation systems on Apple maps, anticipating destinations based on recent trips, traffic information, and estimated time of arrival. Which is actually one of the major draws for Apple with this new technology – they’re hoping that this new in-car feature will create major profitability if they can pull away from other competitors such as Google maps. The technology will also work with other apps, including Podcasts and a number of third parties, including Beats Radio, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Early partners already include Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. While the group will expand to Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Land Rover, and many more later in the year.
Apple is aggressively going after the car as the next place to expand their rapidly growing ecosystems, which is smart considering in-car technology is often left outdated, and dinosaur-like compared to fast-growing tablets and mobile devices. By allowing in-car systems to grow and be compatible with mobile devices, it will bring in-car entertainment and functional operating systems to heights nobody thought was possible. The potential market is also massive, with over 15 million cars being sold annually, the potential profit for the company is jaw dropping. Now with more and more naysayers converting to iPhones every single day, this is just another reason to make the switch. You can’t have CarDisplay without owning an iPhone, so it’s safe to assume it’s only a matter of time before, not only every person, but now every car, has an iPhone.
