Using your phone while driving is not safe. People still do it despite being told not to and even being warned with big fines. In 2014, Apple came up with a solution called Apple CarPlay. It lets you connect your iPhone to your car, so you can stay connected while keeping your eyes on the road. It’s safer and more convenient because you can use it hands-free.
Apple CarPlay was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014. The first cars to have it were from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. The 2014 Ferrari FF was the first car to come with CarPlay fully installed. Then, it spread to more affordable cars from many other brands like Hyundai, VW, Chevrolet, Honda, and Ford.
Almost all car brands sold in the U.S. now offer CarPlay, except for Rivian and Tesla. General Motors is phasing out CarPlay in its electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. But if your car is older and you’re not sure if it has CarPlay, you can check Apple’s list to find out.
Apple CarPlay is a standard created by Apple. It lets your car’s infotainment system show what’s on your phone. This means you can use apps like Maps, Podcasts, Spotify, and Messages without touching your phone. CarPlay makes sure your driving experience is consistent and easy to use.
CarPlay can switch between light mode and dark mode based on your headlights. It also has a dashboard view that shows several apps at once. If you have an Apple Watch, CarPlay can send navigation alerts to it. Plus, it remembers where you parked your car.
You can use CarPlay wired or wirelessly. Wired CarPlay lets you charge your phone while driving and gives you better audio quality. Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth and doesn’t need you to touch your phone after the initial setup.
Most Apple apps have CarPlay versions, but third-party apps need Apple’s permission to work with CarPlay. Some popular third-party apps that work with CarPlay are Spotify, Google Maps, IHeartRadio, Waze, Overcast, Zoom, and WhatsApp.
Yes, it’s safer because it keeps your phone out of your hands while driving. Plus, it works the same in any car, so you always know how to use it. It’s also great if you share a car with someone else.
If your car doesn’t have CarPlay but you want it, you can install an aftermarket stereo that supports CarPlay. These stereos fit in most cars and can usually be installed by a professional for around $170.
If you’re looking for a new car with CarPlay, there are many affordable options available. Some of the cheapest cars with CarPlay in 2024 are the Buick Envista, Ford Maverick, Honda Civic, Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Soul, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Kicks, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla.
