Apple on Monday unveiled CarPlay, a technology that integrates iphones and dashboards to make phone-use easy and safe while driving,
The new technology, displayed at the Geneva International Motor Show, is reportedly an improved version of a system which Apple had announced last June.
NBC News termed CarPlay as "iPhone on wheels" and explained its use for making calls, listening music, messaging and accessing maps. The technology is currently available for Lightning-enabled phones: the trio of iPhone 5, 5c and 5s. Information Week reported that CarPlay will be usable after an update to iOS 7 sometime later this year.
Apple on its website also highlighted Carplay's features. It pointed out that CarPlay can either be accessed through the car's controls, including a touch screen, or Apple's popular voice assistant system Siri. Spotify, Podcasts, Beats Radio and Stitcher are few apps currently compatible with the in-car system.
According to Information Week, CarPlay hooks up the phone with the car through Bluetooth. Through voice, drivers can ask Siri to make and answer calls in addition to accessing contacts. The built-in voice system can also read out messages on command.
Questions were raised about the system's access to the internet by Information Week, which said it was not clear whether CarPlay relies on the phone or the car's internet connection to function. It also asked if other iphones would be made compatible with the technology and CarPlay's compatibility with a larger pool of third-party apps.
CarPlay will initially be rolled out with Volvo, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz cars later this year while Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota are expected to follow suit, CNN Money reported.
Greg Joswaik, Apple's Vice President of iphone and iOS product marketing was also quoted by CNN Money as saying, "CarPlay lets drivers use their phone in the car with minimized distraction." Cell phone use while driving killed 3,328 people in 2012 while injuring 421,000, CNN Money mentioned.
