The 2 Most Used Apps While Driving

AMY GILROY APRIL 23, 2014 0

The two most often used apps while driving are Google Search and Google Navigation, according to a recent Strategy Analytics survey.

Facebook is also frequently used while driving, as is Pandora.

And drivers prefer to use these apps through their dashboard rather than directly through their smartphone. “Consumers tell us they want to access these apps through the in-vehicle controls to minimize driver distraction, but current connected car implementations leave much to be desired,” said Chris Schreiner of Strategy Analytics.

The study also found that 48 percent of smartphone owners in the US report using apps while driving. This is in comparison to 37 percent in Europe and a whopping 78 percent in China.

For more information see the report: “The Connected Car: Consumer Interest and Current User Experience.”

Pioneer Announces CarPlay For Summer

AMY GILROY APRIL 15, 2014 0

Starting early summer, five of Pioneer’s new NEX car radios will work with Apple’s CarPlay, which would make Pioneer the first aftermarket company to come to market with Apple’s new easy software for the car.

Pioneer will offer a firmware update to render the NEX radios compatible with CarPlay, it announced this morning.

CarPlay gives drivers  the familiar screen views of the iPhone on the car radio screen and lets the radio control their phone.   There’s a simple screen for iTunes Radio, for maps, music and phone, and users get voice control through Siri so that texts may be read aloud and you can send responses.  You can scroll through all the functions here or see it in action in a Ferrari here.

A report Monday said Alpine will offer aftermarket radios with CarPlay this fall.  About 5 car makers will offer CarPlay in new cars this year including Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Volvo, Honda and Hyundai.

“Pioneer’s years of expertise integrating smartphone connectivity into the automotive environment has provided us the opportunity to be among the first to offer CarPlay to drivers,” said Ted Cardenas, VP of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer.  “By providing an aftermarket option, Pioneer’s 2014 in-dash multimedia systems give many iPhone owners the ability to add CarPlay to their current vehicles.”

For more information regarding CarPlay compatible product, visit www.pioneer-carglobal.com/CarPlay.

Pioneer’s NEX radios include the AVIC-8000NEX ($1400 SRP), AVIC-7000NEX ($1200 SRP), AVIC-6000NEX ($900 SRP), AVIC-5000NEX ($750 SRP) and AVH-4000NEX ($700 SRP) are currently available at authorized Pioneer Car Electronics dealers nationwide

Alpine to Sell First Aftermarket Car Play Radio

AMY GILROY APRIL 14, 2014 0

Alpine Electronics will start selling the first aftermarket car radio using Apple’s CarPlay system starting this fall, according to Japanese news outlet Nikkei.

The car radio will connect by cable to an iPhone 5 or later smartphone and allow drivers to view maps on the radio screen, and use voice commands to hear their messages, as well as make calls and play music, said the report.

The Alpine radio is expected to use a 7-inch screen and it may sell in the U.S. and Europe at about $500 to $700.

CarPlay is Apple’s new software for car radios that acts like MirrorLink for iPhone, giving you the familiar screen views of the iPhone on the car radio screen and letting the radio control your phone.   There’s a simple, elegant screen for iTunes Radio, for maps, music and phone, and users get voice control through Siri so that texts may be read aloud and you can send responses.  You can scroll through all the functions here or see it in action in a Ferrari here.

While car makers announced in March they would begin offering radios with CarPlay, no suppliers have yet announced an aftermarket car radio with CarPlay.

Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Ferrari, and Honda all showed CarPlay prototypes recently and are expected to offer CarPlay in new cars this year. Hyundai is also expected to offer CarPlay this year and about 13 additional car makers will offer it in the future, according to Apple.

Alpine could not immediately be reached for comment.