Hasta La Gadget!

 Apple has been granted a new patent by the USPTO (via AppleInsider), and it’s one that could potentially prevent a lot of careless driving. The tech described in the patent would use a phone’s on-board sensors, or a direct connection to a car using a technology like Bluetooth to limit the device’s functionality, cutting off access to stuff like SMS and email while you’re… Read More

When Apple announced CarPlay, they revealed a handful of car manufacturers that would be officially supporting the platform upon its release, but what about older car models and cars not of those brands listed on Apple’s website? We’re sure the last thing Apple wants is to shun other companies, but in the meantime both Alpine and Pioneer have since come forward and announced their plans for aftermarket CarPlay installations.

Apple’s website has since been updated and has seen both Alpine and Pioneer’s logo added to the CarPlay page, meaning that for those worried that these aftermarket solutions are not official, you can rest assured that Apple has given both Alpine and Pioneer their blessings. Both companies have recently announced that they will be bringing aftermarket solutions to older cars and brands that aren’t officially supported by Apple yet.

CarPlay support will be added through firmware updates to their existing infotainment units, but for drivers who do not have Pioneer or Alpine’s systems in their cars yet, they will be able to purchase those units where they are expected be priced between $700-$1,400 for Pioneer’s NEX series (not to be confused with Sony’s NEX series of cameras) and $500-$700 for Alpine’s systems.

Mercedes-Benz has been announced as one of the official car manufacturers to offer CarPlay systems in their future vehicles, but the car company has also stated that they are looking into offering an aftermarket solution towards the end of the year, although apart from that statement we’re not sure what Mercedes-Benz’s solution might look like. Either way if you have an older vehicle, these are aftermarket solutions you can look forward to.

Alpine And Pioneer Added To Apple’s CarPlay Website , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Apple, Transportation, carplay,

Hyundai has brought along its new 2015 Sonata to the New York Auto Show, and it already has one passenger in the shape of Apple’s CarPlay to put your iPhone … Continue reading

Supposing you’ve already gotten an in-dash receiver this year – inside 2014, that is – and you bought it from Pioneer, you’re in for an Apple-flavored treat. The company has … Continue reading

Alpine has been making car stereos for the aftermarket for a number of years. The company has now announced that it will be bringing a new console unit to market later this fall that will allow you to add Apple CarPlay to your car. CarPlay will be offered as a factory option in some cars from major makers like Ford, GM, Honda, and others, so it’s good news that there will be an aftermarket option as well.

CarPlay lets iPhone users plug their smartphone into the car and then see content and controls on the car’s own screen. The idea is that it will be easier to see things like nav apps on the larger screen and drivers won’t need to take their eyes off the road, along with car-specific experiences for navigation, phone calls, messages, and music. The system also offers full Siri voice integration for voice control.

There is no word on what tech the Alpine CarPlay console will have. Presumably, it will feature more than just CarPlay integration with a normal radio and CD player, but that is unconfirmed. The Alpine unit is expected to cost $500 to $700 without installation.

[via MacRumors]