According to Mercedes-Benz, Apple’snewly announced CarPlay technology might make its way to older models with “an after-market solution”. The German car maker has clarified that it is working on an aftermarket solution to bring Apple’s CarPlay technology to older cars.
9to5Mac reports:
We’ve confirmed that at least Mercedes-Benz is looking into aftermarket installations of CarPlay that will allow older models of vehicles to access the feature. While the company confirmed that it is trying to get an “an after-market solution for previous cars” it couldn’t confirm when the option might become available. While there is no info yet on how the aftermarket installation would work, we’d imagine it will be a dealer installed accessory for select older models like Honda and others already offer for Apple’s Siri Eyes Free feature.
Mercedes is among the first manufacturers to support this feature in its upcoming cars along with Volvo and Ferrari. It is not clear how car manufacturers like Mercedes plan to bring Apple’s CarPlay technology to older cars.
Since most in-car infotainment systems are powered by BlackBerry’s QNX car operating system, and Apple’s CarPlay works on top of it, car manufacturers could potentially add support to older models with a software update.
Apple announced CarPlay, previously known as iOS in the Car, yesterday, as a way to bring the iPhone experience to in-car infotainment systems. A variety of car manufacturers have teamed up with Apple to bring this on their cars including the likes of BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp. Many of these manufacturers will ship cars with CarPlay this year. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo were the first manufacturers who demoed Apple’s CarPlay technology in their cars at the Geneva Motor Show held earlier in the week.
The aftermarket solution is certainly good news for iPhone users have don’t have plans to buy a new car that come with Apple CarPlay.
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