We don’t get to see Apple opening its platform every day. Quite the contrary, it’s a rare feat that Cupertino boys are allowing anyone to chip-in. With CarPlay, they’re opting for a different strategy and will work with both car companies and makers of aftermarket in-dash car multimedia systems.
Pioneer is the first company to join Apple’s scheme, having announced CarPlay support for its range of 2014 NEX media receivers. These devices will get new, iPhone-friendly capabilities in early summer 2014 via a firmware update.
“Pioneer’s years of expertise integrating smartphone connectivity into the automotive environment has provided us the opportunity to be among the first to offer CarPlay to drivers,” said Ted Cardenas, VP of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “By providing an aftermarket option, Pioneer’s 2014 in-dash multimedia systems give many iPhone owners the ability to add CarPlay to their current vehicles.”
With CarPlay, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5 users can use Siri to make and receive calls, compose and respond to text messages, use Apple Maps for navigation and listen to their music, podcasts and iTunes Radio.