Being able to connect your phone to your car used to mean just taking calls ‘hands-free’ and perhaps at times having the ability to play music via an auxiliary cable or Bluetooth.
Now, thanks to clever apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto there’s so much more you can do to keep yourself connected on the road, all while minimising distractions to keep your eyes on the road and the focus on driving.
Early systems and phones required the user to tether the phone via the charge cable in order to mirror your smartphone content with the vehicle infotainment screen, while Bluetooth took care of calls and music playing. Now it’s becoming more and more common to have wireless charging and connection.
Apple CarPlay first became available in cars as standard for top spec models, or as an upgradeable option from around 2016. It’s now available in over 600 makes and models globally.
Android Auto was launched in 2015 and offers an Android operating version of phone-to-car pairing. Android Auto is currently available with nearly every major car manufacturer and is on track to be in more than 100 million cars within the next few months. Many car manufacturers, including General Motors, BMW and Kia, have also added support for wireless connections, making it even easier for drivers to use.
So what makes these systems great?
For starters, it means that you are ‘connected’ as your phone will have internet capability and the likes of Google or Siri voice activation. This is if your vehicle doesn’t have a built-in sim card or internet connectivity with its own voice assist, such as ‘Hey BMW’ or ‘Hey Mercedes’, for example.
You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and enjoy your favourite music, all via your car’s built-in display.
Access and start your car with your iPhone
Beginning with most new 2021 BMW models, you can now unlock and start your car with your iPhone. Sharing keys with friends or family is easy too. You can also create restricted profiles, perfect for new drivers.
Car keys will even work for up to five hours after your iPhone battery runs out.
No built-in navigation? No problem
With these apps, your favourite phone navigation system can be projected onto your infotainment screen, where you could even see places of interest near your destination, benefit from route changes if the traffic is particularly bad. You can even use your voice to search Google or Siri and navigate to a destination instead of having to stop the car and type it in.
You can also ask Siri to share your ETA with someone from your contacts list while navigating with Apple Maps to help keep everyone who needs to know, in the know.
Keeping in touch on the go
You can now send audio messages with Siri on iOS and Apple CarPlay, so you never have to look at your iPhone while driving.
The Calendar app gives you a quick, simple view of the day ahead while you’re on the go, and, if you have a meeting, you can just tap to get directions to it, or dial in using your car’s speakers and microphone.
These systems can also read your messages aloud while you’re on the road, and you can dictate messages just by talking.
Tap your fingers to the rhythm
Your favourite music and playlists are available by voice command, or by using the buttons on your steering wheel to access menus to skip albums, songs or to increase the volume.
Invite other apps along for the ride
Both platforms offer the ability to download and use third party apps like your favourite audio, messaging and voice apps, along with apps in new categories like third-party parking, EV charging and quick food-ordering apps.
Some vehicle manufacturer-specific apps are also supported to allow you to control some of the car’s features.
Safety first
Phone apps and pairing are designed to operate ‘hands free’ without the driver needing to touch their phone while driving and full concentration is required when at the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Always pull over to the side of the road when operating an app which may distract from driving the vehicle.