Apple CarPlay – Is It Worth It?
Apple CarPlay – Is It Worth It?
Posted on October 27, 2020
People spend a lot of time on their phones; they also spend a lot of time in their car. If you have an iPhone, then you can link both together with Apple CarPlay. Most of us are well acquainted with Bluetooth pairing, but if there is a more efficient way to get access to our phones while we are on the road, it’s worth a try. Nexcar Auto Sales covers everything you need to know about Apple’s CarPlay so you can decide if it’s worth the upgrade.
What Is Apple’s CarPlay?
The long and short answer is that Apple CarPlay functions as an iOS for your vehicle. That may sound like turning your car into a phone, but it is not exactly so. Rather, Apple CarPlay is an interface that allows for easy phone manipulation without leading to distractions on the road. You can control your music, make phone calls, navigate maps, and even reply to text messages all with nothing but your voice and Apple CarPlay.
How Do You Get Apple CarPlay?
Some newer car models have Apple CarPlay already installed. You can also purchase an Apple CarPlay aftermarket head unit. Kenwood, JBL, and Pioneer all currently have models on the market that are compatible with Apple CarPlay. Regardless of which physical system you use, the application will be the same. Your Apple CarPlay will have the main screen with basic short cuts to your car-bound applications. The home button is on the left-hand side of the screen along with other active attention applications such as Maps.
Does Apple CarPlay Have Siri?
There is little point in having an Apple product or app for your care unless you have Siri. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay does use the popular assistant. Just like with other Apple products, all you have to do is say “Hey Siri” to activate the assistant on Apple CarPlay. You can have the assistant turn your music on or off, dial a number, and many other things all without having to touch your phone. While Apple CarPlay may not be a standalone product, it is a great way to take your hands-free game to the next level.
Connecting Apple CarPlay With Your Car
Most car units that are compatible with Apple CarPlay will have a USB input. You will connect the unit to your phone via the Lightning cable. One bonus about this setup is that your phone will also get charged as you drive around town. CarPlay is standard on most Apple products, so all you have to do is plug it into the unit in your car for activation. Any app that is compatible with CarPlay will show on your phone screen and on the device main screen and operate as usual.
What’s The Catch With Apple CarPlay?
This is a great way to go hands-free, but it is not without its drawbacks. Sometimes “Hey Siri” simply doesn’t work, and the Maps feature will not always take you to the right destination. There are not many third-party applications at the moment, which makes using this feature not very cost-effective though there is plenty of potential. If you want to find out more about CarPlay, give our car dealership in Toronto a call at (877) 245-9997.