We took the Tiguan in a new body. The City version is stuffed with electronics for the most mud flaps, not a car, but one big gadget. You can't figure it out by typing, the first weeks carefully studied the instructions.
But I started, of course, with Apple CarPlay... I noticed that the site has not yet had a review of this topic. It's time to fix
Is CarPlay like an iPhone in a car?
No, this is not an iPhone. It's not even complete operating system like iOS.
In fact, CarPlay is like AirPlay. That is, it is a system for transmitting and displaying data from your gadget on an external display. In this case, the automobile.
CarPlay broadcasts adapted versions of applications from the iPhone. You won't find Clash of Clans or Instagram here. Cupertinians primarily thought about the safety of road users, and the platform is very limited in capabilities.
But even these minimal functions are enough.
An important fact: CarPlay doesn't work without an iPhone. Therefore, it is always only part of the vehicle's media system. For me, for example, you can output music through the good old AUX, listen to the radio, turn on CarPlay, or run a similar solution for Android. The driver always has a choice.
My Tiguan has a console with wired CarPlay... Wireless CarPlay isn't uncommon, it just works for me.
But! Motorists, pay attention. Wired CarPlay is preferable to wireless, because the latter forcibly turns on the tethering mode on the iPhone - and this mercilessly wastes battery, which ultimately forces you to keep your smartphone on charge anyway. Didn't think about it.
Okay, it's time to figure it out. What does CarPlay do?
The set of applications in CarPlay is independent of the vehicle's media system version. All programs are simply "picked up" from your iPhone.
This also means that you no need to pay to update CarPlay: It will match the capabilities of the iPhone version of iOS. A huge plus, if you remember that iOS is updated 10 times a year, and cars are changed every 3-5 years.
CarPlay takes your programs from your iPhone and displays them in another interface on the car's media system screen. Like a projector.
The media system displays notifications, messages, call history, map routes and, in general, almost everything that you did or continue to do on iPhone. It is quite convenient, but there are limitations, which I will discuss in more detail now.
I wonder if you have deleted any standard application iOS, it will also disappear from CarPlay. Another reminder that CarPlay only duplicates an iPhone, and is not an independent media system.
I explain what the limitations and features of CarPlay apps are.
1. 🎵 Apple Music
What you turn on first and what they generally take CarPlay for. Apple Music implemented gorgeous, all tabs are accessible from the screen in the car, except for search. All for the sake of not being distracted by entering names while driving. Such concern is gratifying.
On the other hand, why not add voice input? To find a specific track or playlist, I have to take my iPhone and search there, it's much faster. That's just not safe.
Apple Music works via your mobile Internet on the iPhone or plays tracks previously loaded into the smartphone's memory. You can create a playlist station based on the track you like right from the screen of the media system. It has never been useful to me.
2. ✉ Messages
"Messages" for CarPlay has also been heavily adapted. You will not find message history or attachments. The application will allow you to listen to the last message in the selected conversation and immediately dictate to him the answer.
The message will be read aloud again before sending. It will reach the addressee in text form, sometimes with funny speech recognition errors.
There can be no talk of any full-fledged correspondence. The Messages app on CarPlay is more of a safety net. Suddenly something urgent will come. So forget about the poop emoji, stickers and other delights.
The new message notification won't show you any text either. Click on the blue arrow and listen to the answer. The counter on the icon is synced to your phone.
3. 📞 Calls
Calls have never suffered. On the contrary, steel convenient... CarPlay navigates through Contacts, shows a list of recent and favorites, allows you to enter the number manually. It all works with the steering wheel buttons and the physical console keys.
Missed call notifications are also synchronized with the phone. Everything works quickly, turns on easily and does not distract at all. 10 speakerphones out of 10.
4. 🗺 Maps
It is unlikely that anyone will be surprised by the fact that CarPlay supports only branded Apple Maps. The company is doing its best to support the lagging service. Perhaps in the US the situation with Maps is better, but in Russia applications from Yandex or even 2GIS will be much more informative.
Lack of normal maps critical for the regions of the Russian Federation, and in the capital is not happy. In heavy traffic, information about traffic jams and cameras is much more important than a beautiful interface. Not to mention the relevance of the data.
But when disconnecting from CarPlay, the parking spot is marked in Maps. Nice little thing.
Personally, I was lucky. In our city, the roads are not very busy, and the location of the cameras is remembered at a time. I turn on maps only occasionally when I go to an unfamiliar address. And sometimes I disconnect the iPhone from CarPlay and launch Yandex on it to get there exactly.
5. 🗣 Siri
In the corner of the CarPlay touchpad, there is a small home button (it depends on the model). Just like on an iPhone, pressing takes you back to the main menu from any app, while a long press brings up Siri.
There are no cool tricks for controlling the car's voice systems. It was rumored that Apple CarPlay would learn to control the temperature in the cabin, lock doors or even park. I have not seen this. I hope that in the next updates they will add at least elementary features. It's cool, the future and all that.
6. 📖 Audiobooks, Podcasts, WhatsApp and more
CarPlay supports third-party apps, which Apple proudly claims to us. Either the developers are not interested in this direction, or in Cupertino too strict moderation rules - but in four years I see very scanty, pathetic list of CarPlay programs.
After a recent update, WhatsApp appeared among the icons. The program is practically no different from Messages - the same lack of text and history, the same dictation. But at least now you can communicate with those who use it.
From branded applications in the infotainment system of cars, Audiobooks and Podcasts are reflected. I'm not a fan of this type of entertainment, I did not test it for long. Podcasts are downloaded directly from the Internet, and audiobooks will have to be uploaded to the iPhone in advance. The interface is intuitive and is unlikely to cause difficulties for someone: choose, turn on and listen.
Well, is CarPlay in the car really convenient?
Surprisingly, yes. It's quite convenient.
I get into the car, hook on Lightning and completely forget about the existence of the iPhone. The machine dictates to me all incoming messages, and not only iMessage, but also regular SMS. Basic functionality Kart quite enough, and calls do not distract from the road at all.
Yes, all of this can be deployed on any Android receiver. But my acquaintance with them is clouded by the looping error of Google services. It was not treated in any way, since the car was not mine. And here the system works perfectly. And it doesn't require any updates. She just IS.
All this goodness is easily controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, "knobs" on the console or touch panel. It even has its own Dock with the last three applications. I am delighted.
But I got CarPlay as a bonus. I would never choose a car just because of this add-on. There are no defining advantages in this. It's like a built-in Handsfree headset: useful, cool, but never a reason to choose a particular car.
What is missing in CarPlay in Russia and beyond?
Normal third-party applications.
Apple doesn't need to develop anything on its own, just give access to other developers. And they will figure out how to broadcast content on the screen without distracting the driver.
The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, often referred to as the gathering of computer geeks and computer networking nerds in khaki pants, has gathered a record number of automotive exhibitors this year.
And the world famous corporation Apple at this show showed that it is ready to take a fat piece of the pie in the sphere. The company at this show had a booth named " IOS in the car". And a new phrase" Apple CarPlay"has become closely associated with some car manufacturers, and some of the models will already be released by the end of 2014.
Like many other in-car communication systems, the whole idea of \u200b\u200bCarPlay is to let you do everything in your car without being distracted by the main activity - driving. At the same time, the Siri application plays a key role in the system, which can execute commands under dictation and answer any questions, adapting individually to the style of your speech. But the main thing is that very soon we will find out how well it works, as soon as the equipment in cars appears on the streets of our city.
Demonstration of the CarPlay system in a Ferrari at the Geneva Motor Show
The CarPlay system is pretty straightforward - just like anything else Apple does. You take your iPhone 5, 5S, or 5C and connect it through the dedicated Lightening connector to the car's interface. Voila! Your car now has almost all the functions of your phone, just the way you always wanted. Nonetheless, on-board computer the car doesn't do all the hard work that runs on your iOS; Believe me, he has a lot of other - more important work - such as, after all, reading information from the numerous sensors of the machine in order to keep stable performance ABS AND ESP or make sure that your airbags are in working order in order to save your life at the right moment ... and all this while you smash boxes in Angry Birds with birds, flip (and, by voice) the playlist of your favorite band or write an important entry in Evernote. Your iPhone works together with your car. This means that the applications must be installed on your mobile in order to see them on the vehicle interface in the console. CarPlay fully integrates the car and the iPhone. It works natively with car controls like music playback and phone calls, so you don't have to waste time poking around your phone to make changes. It also works in conjunction with a touchscreen on the dashboard Your car is just like the display on your phone.
Connecting to CarPlay via iPhone
However, not all apps can run on CarPlay, at least not normally. At the same time, it is Apple who will dictate to you the last word on what will work and what will not. Indeed, the choice of application comes down mainly to. The idea behind CarPlay and just about any other in-car entertainment and communication system is to minimize distractions. At least that's what all tech manufacturers claim. In any case, it is very unlikely that Apple can make the same Angry Birds or Doom game safe while you are driving. Music, navigation, and anything that can be operated hands-free or even with one hand can take place because your hands and eyes have to be behind the wheel.
If you are an ardent Siri fan and cannot imagine your life without her voice even for a second, CarPlay will turn your dreams into reality. Siri will speak to you directly from the speakers of your car around you. She will look at the calendar and email and will tell you about upcoming events and appointments while you drive. She will read you SMS messages and allow you to dictate the answer to them.
Since its Geneva debut, only a handful of pre-approved apps have been available on CarPlay. Siri, of course, has become the main one. In addition to Siri, there will definitely be an application (and, most likely, there will be several) for listening to music.
But you are probably already wondering: "Where is the main application that is so necessary on the road?", Right? Yes, such an application will definitely be present with CarPlay, but according to preliminary data, it will not be Google Maps. The problem is, there’s no way yet to link Google Maps to Siri to let you find your destination and get directions to it. You will have to use the Apple Maps option in CarPlay, but you should love it. Although, however, from the first days of its existence, Apple Maps has improved quite a bit.
When Apple debuted CarPlay in 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show, the company confirmed that it is already working with a dozen car makers, including buying a new car for yourself, you will probably even be given the opportunity to choose the operating environment in which you already live. in everyday life, and for the car you want to buy. And as long as the operating system lives on the phone and not the car's hard drive, it makes a lot of sense.
Apple, like any public corporation, is accountable to investors. Therefore, he holds a conference call every three months, during which he reports to the board members on the financial success of the company entrusted to him. Of course, in order to satisfy investors, reports should be positive and earnings should be steadily growing. This is not unusual, since all large enterprises, without exception, operate according to this model. But Tim Cook truly believes that this should not be so and that any company should have its customers first.
The speed at which the coronavirus is spreading is intimidating. Despite the fact that while the World Health Organization is in no hurry to re-qualify the epidemic as a pandemic, the virus has already caused colossal damage. True, it was not people who suffered to a greater extent, but the world economy, due to the fact that many enterprises were forced to suspend their production due to the indefinite quarantine announced in China. However, for the purpose of prevention, mass events are still canceled, regardless of their significance. MWC, F8, Google I / O, SXSW have already been canceled. Now the March presentation of Apple and WWDC is in question.
Apple is quite adamant about setting dates for fresh product launches. That is why new versions of the company's proprietary operating systems and new models of iPhone and MacBook are released at about the same time every year. Of course, the days of the week can vary, but usually they stick to a uniform schedule, scheduling presentations in June for software updates, in September for smartphones and October for laptops. However, Apple has products that receive upgrades outside of any schedules and schedules, namely as needed. For example, Mac mini and iMac computers.
In the modern world, success is a phenomenon that has ceased to have a uniquely positive meaning. And the point is not even that some people achieve it in not entirely honest ways, but in the fact that it is worth one company to succeed, and then there is one that will complain about the violation of its rights and legitimate interests. Not because the first stole something from the second, but because she simply did not take her share. Do you think this is fiction? But no. Living proof of this is Apple, which is being sued every now and then, accused of creating a monopoly.
Smart home is an area that has not yet succumbed to Apple. Of course, they tried to test the waters by releasing HomePod and even the Home application, from which you can control the speaker and other gadgets, but it's too early to talk about any significant conquest. It would seem, why is it worth for a company like Apple to establish the production of smart modems, light bulbs and other gadgets, which are full of the range of Chinese vendors? But, apparently, she just does not want to do anyhow, and therefore teamed up with Google, Amazon and the Zigbee Alliance to work together on an ecosystem for a smart home.
If the DxOMark smartphone camera lab had featured the Most Unusual Cameraphone category, the Google Pixel would surely have won. Still, getting from a single camera the ability to take portrait shots, stabilize the image and brighten photos taken in the dark, so that they look as natural as possible, using software algorithms alone is worth a lot. Despite the fact that at first this development path looked rather unusual, gradually many companies, including Apple, came to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with programmatically improving images.
I think you have already heard about the fact that last week the State Duma in the third reading passed a bill that obliges electronics manufacturers to install software from Russian developers on their gadgets. Despite the fact that so far this is just a blank, which does not contain any mention of specific types of devices, or programs that must be preinstalled, or those responsible for fulfilling these requirements, the business is seriously strained. And how not to strain here, if not only Russian media, but also foreign ones write about it. As a result, they even decided that they needed to defend their interests, even if for the sake of this they would have to reach the president himself.
If you've followed the development of Apple in the early 2010s, then you may remember how discouraged the fans of the brand were at the departure of Steve Jobs. Despite the fact that he chose his own successor, many refused to believe that he could lead the company on the same course as its founder. Still, Jobs was not just a leader, he was directly involved in the development of each new product, giving advice on making certain changes. Tim Cook, on the other hand, prefers not to interfere with the work of the design team, allowing them to do their work on their own, but this does not mean that he does not follow the precepts of Steve Jobs.
Many people would agree that the current generation of youth does not want to travel; these guys want cars to drive for them. They don't want to buy their own car, in fact, they don't want cars at all, they need smartphones. This trend is clearly noticed by car manufacturers and developers of modern technology. So, back in 2014, many technological developments were presented at the Consumer Electronics exhibition, including Apple CarPlay.
Apple clearly does not want to stand aside and plans to get a big piece of this pie. The preview of Apple Car Play took place back in 2013, but in 2014, the official debut of the new Apple CarPlay system was organized in Geneva. Like many modern in-car communications systems, CarPlay works by letting the driver do whatever they want without distracting from the controls.
The practical part of Apple CarPlay is pretty simple, and it's a huge credit to the developers. It is for its simplicity and consistency that Apple's technology is valued. You just need to take your "apple" smartphone or tablet, connect it to the car interface and you're done! The car turns into a smartphone, as expected. The 21st century has come. The car computer is not capable of what iOS does. In fact, it has other tasks, such as reading data from all kinds of sensors.
This means that applications must be installed on your mobile deviceto see them in the display on the center console of the vehicle. The touchpad works just like the sensor on a phone, so even a beginner can figure it out. Essentially what happens full synchronization car system from iPhone or iPad.
Not all apps may work with CarPlay. The developers have tried to maintain a high safety score. The idea behind Apple Car Play, like all car entertainment and information systems, is to keep distractions to a minimum. At least that's what all technicians are talking about.
If you've fallen in love with Siri and can't live without her voice, Apple CarPlay will make your dreams come true. Siri will talk to you directly through the car interface. She will check your calendar and email and tell you about your scheduled business meetings while on the move. She will read your text messages and provide an opportunity to dictate her response, which she will then send to the addressee. It will also help you make hands-free calls.
Unfortunately, the system does not allow using " Google Maps»For navigation. You will need to use Apple Maps with CarPlay. The developers promise that you will like it, but in reality, everything is not so smooth.
When Apple unveiled CarPlay at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the company confirmed that it has partnerships with a dozen manufacturers, including Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. That's a pretty big price range, so even if you can't afford a Ferrari, you can probably find a CarPlay-equipped car that you can actually afford.
