Mercedes-Benz has outlined its plans to bring Apple CarPlay to existing vehicles by the end of the year.
When Apple announced CarPlay at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, some consumers were a little perplexed by the news it would only come to select vehicles later this year.
So far, all we know is that it will come to a few new vehicles in 2014, including the pricey Ferrari FF, a C-Class Mercedes-Benz and a Volvo XC90 SUV.
The implementation of CarPlay will also vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, depending on how they choose to approach the iOS in the car service using in-built dashboard touchscreens.
Anyone who has bought a car within the last year might be a little irritated by the fact that they won’t eb able to CarPlay until they buy the latest model.
However, Mercedes at least has a plan up its sleeve to bring CarPlay to vehicles outside the showroom in aftermarket installations.
“[Our] goal is to offer an after-market solution by the end of the year”, explained Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes hasn’t explained how it would implement the post-market CarPlay installations, but we expect it would be a special accessory for older models.
It could also be something to extend Apple’s Siri Eyes Free service that already feature in some models.
Ferrari and Volvo have yet to confirm whether they will offer the aftermarket service at all this year, but we expect it will be introduced across the board.
Apple has also partnered with BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota for CarPlay.
“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s VP of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimised distraction.”
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Via: 9to5mac