Apple iOS 7 Drives Car Technology into the Future

(Apple Inc.)

Technophiles get excited every time Apple holds a press conference. Yesterday’s announcement of the new iOS 7 operating system has people talking, mostly about the new look, iTunes Radio and the choice of either a man or woman Siri. In the automotive realm, people are talking about Apple’s iOS in the Car, which is a new feature of iOS 7.
Autoblog calls iOS in the Car “an auto-optimized version of the iPhone’s new operating system, iOS 7.” Basically, iOS in the Car will connect your iPhone or iPad with certain new vehicles’ infotainment systems, allowing you to control your Apple device through the car’s infotainment system rather than the device. iOS in the Car can give you turn-by-turn directions with the Maps app, as well as traffic updates and your estimated time of arrival. In addition, iOS in the Car can play iTunes Radio or your iTunes files through the car’s audio system. If you ask, Siri will return a missed call and play your voicemails for you, as well as read your texts and reply. iOS in the Car will also show incoming texts on your infotainment screen.

(Apple Inc.)

“It's basically Apple making a move to replace the built-in hardware and software that came with your car, and makes us wonder how automakers will react to all those iPhone users circumventing the OEM's own full-featured infotainment and navigation systems in favor of mirroring Apple's,” Autoblog writes.
Forbes reports that iOS in the Car will be available beginning in 2014 in select Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Kia, Volvo, Ferrari, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Apple says iOS 7 will be available to download this fall for free for iPhone 4 and newer phones, iPad 2 and newer tablets, iPad mini and fifth-generation iPod touch devices.