Apple CarPlay: First look

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  • Apple CarPlay home screen

    Apple CarPlay home screen

    Once CarPlay starts, you're greeted by a familiar iOS design. The app buttons are generously sized, making them easy to find and press.

    Just like on an iPhone or iPad, you can see indicators on the bottom of the display to see if there are additional screens. There's also a home button at the bottom left; a long press activates Siri.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • CarPlay second home screen

    CarPlay second home screen

    Got more than eight CarPlay apps? The system will add additional apps to new home screens automatically. Here I'm tapping and dragging from the first to the second screen so I can see TuneIn.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • CarPlay is an app

    CarPlay is an app

    CarPlay is integrated as an option the vehicle's native info-tainment system. You have a choice of which to use at any time.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • Hardware buttons work too

    Hardware buttons work too

    Any CarPlay vehicle will already have the manufacturer's voice activation system along with a button to use it. This will work with CarPlay as well but it requires a press and hold; a simple press uses the native vehicle's system. All other knobs and dials for the entertainment system work with CarPlay as well; you can, for example, use the car's volume knob for Apple Music adjustments.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • CarPlay navigation search

    CarPlay navigation search

    It's easy to search Apple Maps with a voice search or you can pull up prior destinations from your iPhone. Here I searched for Starbucks in New York City prior to a trip there.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • CarPlay navigation

    CarPlay navigation

    Using Apple Maps, CarPlay provides turn-by-turn directions complete with audio prompts during the route for turns and navigation assistance. No, you can't use Google Maps with CarPlay.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • CarPlay music

    CarPlay music

    Apple Music works very well with CarPlay because it's a simpler interface. If you want to stream audio such as Beats 1, you can do so, but of course that will use up data on your smartphone. Here I'm scanning through the Apple Music tracks that I've downloaded for offline playback.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

  • Hands-free messaging

    Hands-free messaging

    While you can view messages in CarPlay, I prefer to have Siri read them aloud to me, which works effectively. There's no need to take your eyes off the road to send or receive text messages. Siri even reads out emoji.

    Caption by: Kevin Tofel

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CarPlay is arriving on many 2016 vehicles including one I just purchased. I didn't know it had CarPlay support before I bought it but after using it for a few days, I'm glad the car has it.

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Apple CarPlay home screen

Once CarPlay starts, you're greeted by a familiar iOS design. The app buttons are generously sized, making them easy to find and press.

Just like on an iPhone or iPad, you can see indicators on the bottom of the display to see if there are additional screens. There's also a home button at the bottom left; a long press activates Siri.

Caption by: Kevin Tofel

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Related Topics:

Apple iOS iPhone Hardware Mobility Smartphones

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