There is a new category getting a lot of attention from technology companies and it might not be what you expect, it’s your car. Can you imagine a world in which an operating system is able to assist with driving to ensure fewer accidents? A few years ago this may have seemed like science fiction but now it is seemingly becoming reality.
So what has changed? Simple – the effect of the mobile phone. Instead of cables to connect your device to your radio, imagine docking your phone to your car’s console and then downloading roadmaps etc. It is clear that the technology behemoths, like Apple and Google, are interested in having their operating systems in cars. It is not unexpected as Apple had one of their most senior staff, Eddy Cue join the Ferrari board 18 months ago.
Apple then announced their new software called CarPlay which will ensure that taking phone calls while driving will never be the same.
CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri without distraction. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo were the first to announce that CarPlay would be fitted to certain new cars in 2014. BMW, Ford, General Motors (Vauxhall in the UK), Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, also all announced that they are working on integrating Apple’s CarPlay into vehicles further down the road.
Not to be left behind, Google has announced the Open Automotive Alliance. Honda, Audi, General Motors and Hyundai have all joined Google’s attempt to make technology in car a lot more user friendly.
We rely on our cars for so many things in our lives, but right now the connection between them and the other mobile technology in our lives isn’t always seamless. The Open Automotive Alliance is a group of leading automakers and technology companies that share a vision for making technology in the car safer, more seamless and more intuitive for everyone.
Is this new technology a fad or something that long term will become a car purchase factor?
