Car Play

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s Apple CarPlay Stereo.  I’m pretty sure that’s what God had in mind when delivering the 10 Commandments. 

After getting a ticket for having a suction cup iPhone holder on my windshield…and then hearing that others have received similar tickets, it got me thinking to what the future of cell-phone integrated car-stereos might look like.  Whether you know it or not, the future is here…and has been for a while.  Apple has been partnering with automakers in the US to have vehicles with CarPlay compatible systems, dealer-installed, in new vehicles.  And, there’s a long list of “partners” who have included the Apple CarPlay stereo as an option.  However, not every car model has it. 

For example, if you like Acuras…and who doesn’t, the only model with CarPlay as an option is the $90,000 Acura NSX.  I mean, that’s pocket change for me but…

Similarly, if you prefer Fords, only the Escape has it as an option.  That’s downright sucky.  The other Fords have Ford Sync, which is terrible (used it on a rental car, and it’s not intuitive at all).  Subaru, while listed as a partner, doesn’t have a single model with CarPlay available yet.  Same with BMW and no Mini Cooper.  Actually, right now, in the affordable car category only VW and Chevy have most, if not all, of their vehicles with CarPlay as an option.

So what?  What’s it get you?  Well, as an apple adopter/user, CarPlay gracefully integrates some of your phone functionality into the car stereo displayed as the apps you know and love.  Mostly they’re the audio-centric apps (podcast, music, Pandora, etc.), because watching YouTube while driving is really dangerous.  However, if you’ve got a Spotify account or want to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, then maybe CarPlay is for you.  Those icons, along with Maps, Music, Messages, etc., appear right on the console.  Amazing!  Also, the Apple CarPlay is Siri compatible!  Hey Siri, I need directions to the nearest sushi restaurant.  Maps pops up and you’re done and done.  (Note: doesn’t work for non-apple mapping apps such as WAZE or Google Maps…because they’re competitors to Apple Maps and you can’t always get what you want.)

Yeah, that’s nice and all, but I like my car/can’t afford one of the models where CarPlay is installed.  What about me?  Well, car-audio makers Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood all sell head-units to replace your car stereo.  Retail for one of these goes between $300 and $900, but, thanks to Crutchfield, you can buy one, complete with the tools to change it out, and do it yourself.  No install fee.  That’s super nice.

Should you buy one?  That’s up to you.  Typical with Apple products, CarPlay stereos just work, but they’re limited to what Apple wants you to do with them.  Are there alternatives?  Of course, but they don’t allow for a direct transition of the app icons and functionality into the dash, especially not the transfer of the Maps capabilities.  But, you can buy less expensive Bluetooth car stereos that show you album art and the like. 

All in all, short of waiting for Apple to build their own car (which is already rumored), CarPlay stereos may the best way to have your mobile Apple-cake and eat it too!