Apple today announced nine additional partners committed to shipping CarPlay integration in future vehicles marking the first expansion to that list since the feature was officially introduced in March. Joining the list of existing CarPlay partners for 2014 and beyond is Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Mazda, and Ram. Each new auto manufacturer is committed to integrating CarPlay in models planned to be announced and released in the future.
Audi, as you may recall, first mentioned its plans to introduce CarPlay in an announcement last week, and yesterday the luxury car maker expanded on those plans saying support will roll out in Europe in 2015 and the United States during the following year.
CarPlay partners with plans to ship vehicles sporting the feature this year include Hyundai, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Honda (although Honda has yet to announce specific plans).
In addition to new models featuring CarPlay, aftermarket solutions from both Pioneer and Alpine have been announced as partners with Apple; Pioneer’s support is expected to hit certain existing displays this summer.
While Apple first demoed ‘iOS in the Car’ at WWDC 2013, the company officially announced its plans for close integration between the iPhone and the car in March and dubbed it CarPlay.
The feature supported in iPhone 5s/5c/5 running iOS 7.1 or later integrates apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, and Music to built-in infotainment displays and car audio systems. Functionality from these apps can be controlled by voice commands and in-car controls as well as by the dash display rather than by the iPhone.
Other apps like Beats Music, Spotify, and Stitcher. Last week MLB At Bat was added to that list marking the first additional app since CarPlay was announced earlier this year.
