Apple iOS in the Car coming soon

Apple

Many of today’s cars feature a touchscreen infotainment system of some sort, with a number of them looking remarkably like a high-end tablet device. So it was only a matter of time before the two technologies converged.

This vision appears to be a little closer to reality now, with images and a video leaked on Twitter appearing to be show a highly advanced version of Apple’s much-rumoured iOS in the Car feature.

It’s not entirely clear how app developer, Steven Troughton-Smith, sourced the images, but with the new version of iOS set for release soon, the timing would appear to fit.

iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system, and it first appeared on the iPhone in 2007. Today it is used on the likes of the iPad, iPod Touch and of course, the iPhone. The system uses an interface based on multi-touch gestures, including swipe, tap and pinch. iOS in the Car seeks to add drive to this list.

Apple announced iOS in the Car last year, when it released iOS 7 - the latest version of its mobile touchscreen operating system.

In essence, iOS in the Car will allow an iOS-enabled device to effectively take control of the in-car display. Which - depending on your view of Apple products - will either be a huge step forward, or a reason to be slightly scared.

If your iPad or iPhone can do it, then there’s a good chance that iOS in the Car can do it, although we’d advise against playing a quick game of Angry Birds whilst doing 70mph in the outside lane of the M4.

But if you think about the functions currently offered by modern infotainment systems, and then give them an Apple feel, you won’t be too far from the truth. So access to maps, navigation, telephone, messages, music and social networks would appear to be the most logical functions.

The system will use Apple’s familiar multi-touch gesture format, and offer voice-control via Siri - Apple’s voice-activated assistant system. The exciting part is that by syncing with an iOS-enabled device, the in-car unit could be personalised to the driver. A particularly useful function if more than one person has access to a given car.

Officially, Apple is listing iOS in the Car as ‘coming soon’, although the rumours are that it will be bundled within the iOS 7.1 update, scheduled for March 2014.

iOS 7 is currently in its fourth stage of beta testing, with a new female voice expected to be rolled-out for Siri. Which may or may not have anything to do with the satellite navigation function within iOS in the Car.

Crucially, the beta version also includes a reference to Car Display with the Settings of iOS, with a handy steering wheel logo sat alongside it.

Apple

iOS in the Car is listed at the very bottom of the website page devoted to iOS 7, where Apple proudly proclaims:

“If your vehicle is equipped with iOS in the Car, you can connect your iPhone 5 and interact with it using the car’s built-in display and controls or Siri Eyes Free.

“It’s all designed to let iPhone focus on what you need, so you can focus on the road.”

Four images outline the likely functions, including traffic alerts for your daily commute to work, voicemail playback and texts messages relayed via the screen. Should you want to respond to a text, Siri will reply for you.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has previously said that iOS in the Car was an “important part of the [Apple] ecosystem” and a “key focus” for the brand.

Many car makers are set to reveal their own plans for iOS in the Car, with Chevrolet, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Vauxhall and Volvo all confirmed for the system.

Without wishing to open the iOS versus Android can of worms, there is every reason to be excited about iOS in the Car. Anyone familiar with the operating system will revel in its simplicity and ease of use.

Many of the current infotainment systems - whilst clever and stylish - do require the driver to take their eyes off the road for a longer period than more traditional controls and switches. If Apple can deliver a safe and intuitive approach, then this has to be embraced.

Troughton-Smith, who himself was sceptical at first, said on Twitter:

“I wasn’t excited for iOS in the Car before I used it. There’s a ton of potential here, regardless of the actual ‘car’ part”.

So get ready for a race around the block between Google and Apple. Who will bring the product to market first? Maybe you we should ask Siri.

On Bing: see pictures of the Apple IOS in the Car
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By Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, contributor, MSN Cars