Eight New Auto brands have confirmed plans for vehicles supporting Apple’s CarPlay platform. These include Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Mazda, and Ram. So far, though, the parties haven’t said when their first CarPlay-ready vehicles will arrive, or which models will have support.
Only five automakers will have CarPlay-equipped vehicles ready in 2014: Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Every other company is waiting until at least 2015, and even then support will likely not be universal. People wanting to equip other cars with the technology — especially older ones — will have to turn to aftermarket options from firms like Alpine and Pioneer.
CarPlay gives drivers with iPhones a custom car-friendly interface for first-party apps such as Phone, Maps, Music, and Messages, as well as a range of third-party apps like Stitcher and Spotify. Because it requires a dedicated screen, voice control, and software compatibility, though, a car has to be specially equipped to support it.
