Apple Car Play

[TheForce]

Does anyone here use CarPlay yet?

I loaded it up on my new Honda Accord and the few apps work fine, including Audible. The maps shows traffic too. But I have yet to find an app for weather radar maps that works with CarPlay.

I have weather radar maps in mt Ford Escape through Sirius XM Travel link but Travel Link is not supported in Honda cars.

 

[king3pj]

Does anyone here use CarPlay yet?

I loaded it up on my new Honda Accord and the few apps work fine, including Audible. The maps shows traffic too. But I have yet to find an app for weather radar maps that works with CarPlay.

I have weather radar maps in mt Ford Escape through Sirius XM Travel link but Travel Link is not supported in Honda cars.

We have it in our 2018 Chevy Equinox and I really like it. My only complaint is that they haven't found a way to make it work wirelessly through bluetooth or something like AirPlay. It only works when plugged in through USB.

My favorite feature is the ability to use Apple Maps with Siri on the 8" touch screen instead of paying the ridiculous prices GM charges for OnStar Navigation. I've used CarPlay for podcasts through Pocket Casts, music through Spotify, audio books through Audible, and baseball broadcasts through MLB at Bat. All of these apps seem to work well with CarPlay.

It is a bit weird to have the iMessage icon show a badge with how many new messages I have though. iOS 11 has Do Not Disturb turned on by default while driving now and I actually like that feature. I don't hear a notification when I get a message while driving but showing it on the screen seems to defeat the purpose.

 

[TheForce]

I'm not the only one asking for this. (Weather radar map)

Where is the CarPlay Weather App? | Communities

 

[king3pj]

I'm not the only one asking for this. (Weather radar map)

Where is the CarPlay Weather App? | Communities

It seems like there might be restrictions about what kinds of apps are allowed on CarPlay. Aside from Maps, Phone, and Messages I'm pretty sure the only apps that have CarPlay support out of the dozens of apps on my phone are audio playback apps.

My guess is the reason they don't support CarPlay with iOS's built in weather app is because they don't want people looking at the screen while driving. If they aren't doing it with their own weather app it makes sense that they wouldn't allow third party weather apps to work with CarPlay.

Even CarPlay apps that are there, like Messages, don't encourage you to look at the screen. Unless I'm missing something you can't look at the actual messages directly. You can only have Siri read you your unread messages or make new ones with your voice.

Have you tried asking Siri for weather updates while using CarPlay? I haven't done this myself, and I doubt you could get radar images, but I wouldn't be surprised if you are able to get weather updates that way.

 

[TheForce]

My guess is the reason they don't support CarPlay with iOS's built in weather app is because they don't want people looking at the screen while driving. If they aren't doing it with their own weather app it makes sense that they wouldn't allow third party weather apps to work with CarPlay.

Nah... That doesn't make sense since CarPlay works with the Maps and you can add traffic congestion. The whole idea of CarPlay is to put the iphone apps on the car video touch screen. All those music, radio, and audible apps can be accesses via Blue Tooth anyway. Car Play just adds the visual.

I also have Honda Link with it's own apps and I loaded Google Chrome web browser then select maps with traffic congestion and or Earth. I can also get weather radar maps through that as well. From the Chrome desktop on the screen I can load up my Facebook page and even play You Tube videos. The car manual does say that Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix videos are disabled when driving, however. It works fine when the car is in Park. Besides Google Chrome Browser, there is a calculator app, and a few other apps that I haven't figured out yet.

So, there is a way but I thought using CarPlay might be easier. At least Google bookmarks works pretty good too. I set it up to log into my Google account and then everything I want in Chrome is available.

 

[king3pj]

Nah... That doesn't make sense since CarPlay works with the Maps and you can add traffic congestion. The whole idea of CarPlay is to put the iphone apps on the car video touch screen. All those music, radio, and audible apps can be accesses via Blue Tooth anyway. Car Play just adds the visual.

Then why doesn’t CarPlay support Facebook, Twitter, Safari, or any other apps that require you to stare at the screen? I see a clear trend in which of my apps support CarPlay and which ones don’t. The audio apps all support it. Nothing else on my phone does except phone, messages, and maps.

While maps does have more visual stuff on the screen than any of the other supported apps, it’s the exception and not the rule. Maps have been on GPS screens in cars for years and it is probably the most important feature of CarPlay so it makes sense that they would make an exception for that app.

If my theory that they don’t allow CarPlay apps that draw your attention to the screen instead of the road doesn’t make any sense why do you think they don’t allow most apps to work with CarPlay? That seems like the most likely reason to me.

I also have Honda Link with it's own apps and I loaded Google Chrome web browser then select maps with traffic congestion and or Earth. I can also get weather radar maps through that as well. From the Chrome desktop on the screen I can load up my Facebook page and even play You Tube videos. The car manual does say that Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix videos are disabled when driving, however. It works fine when the car is in Park. Besides Google Chrome Browser, there is a calculator app, and a few other apps that I haven't figured out yet.

So, there is a way but I thought using CarPlay might be easier. At least Google bookmarks works pretty good too. I set it up to log into my Google account and then everything I want in Chrome is available.

Honda may allow that stuff with their own apps while driving but it doesn’t mean Honda and Apple don’t have very different ideas of what is safe to do while driving. One of the big changes with iOS 11 was that iPhones now go into do not disturb mode automatically while you drive by default. It makes sense to me that a company that did this doesn’t allow all the stuff you said your Honda apps let you do while driving.

 

[TheForce]

Then why doesn’t CarPlay support Facebook, Twitter, Safari, or any other apps that require you to stare at the screen? I see a clear trend in which of my apps support CarPlay and which ones don’t. The audio apps all support it. Nothing else on my phone does except phone, messages, and maps.

My optimism says its just too new to Apple. It will grow as most everything is visual. But Car Play apps ,I feel, will just be for apps related to things people want to do will driving. Weather maps along the route, trip computers, Priceline.com, Expedia, etc are all good matches for CarPlay. So, what's the point of having a screen, having an instrument panel because all this stuff draws your attention off the road? Everything could be replaced by a voice, including the speedometer.

On the other hand, when I was in Seattle last July, I heard on local radio, that they were considering new traffic laws that would make it illegal to do anything except drive. Eating food, drinking, smoking, using a phone, even hands free would be outlawed because they have way too many accidents caused by these activities.

On my 2014 Escape the nav system disables address entry when in motion which is a real PIA. But a company called Lock Pic made a modification to these nav packages that temporarily disables this disabling. I installed one on my Ford Escape. My Honda nav system recognized the disdain for all these limits they voluntarily put in place and came up with a compromise. The address keyboard entry only works when the car is in park, but when moving, you still can do an address entry by speaking it with the voice prompt. Voice to text entry is the latest way for this stuff to work. This is not siri although with car play connected you have siri as well.

Personally, when we travel and need to use these features while driving, it's always done by the passenger, not the driver. But I recognize that those young drivers especially, those with very little driving experience are the biggest violators of texting, and surfing the internet, while eating smoking and drinking with loud music playing that are the ones causing most of the accidents.

Maybe technology will make it so the dash has two screens and only the passenger has access to apps and features that take your eyes off the road. Maybe these features are allowed for the driver only when using the lane keeping assist feature if it is so safe.

One of the big changes with iOS 11 was that iPhones now go into do not disturb mode automatically while you drive by default.

I think that is disabled on mine because it doesn't work.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I don't think you will EVER see things like social media on Car Play. Nor video apps. It is a safety issue. Yes, there should be a weather app. My wife's Subaru Outback (new last week, 2018 model) has Car Play plus its own navigation system, and a Subaru weather app. Hers is the best of both worlds, you can switch between Subaru's navigation or Apple Maps; and jump to the built-in apps.

My Chevy Cruze only has Car Play, no stuff built in, but I am very happy with it. I find Apple Maps does a good job; Audible is excellent, Music works great. Messages is fine. And MLB At Bat works great as well for listening to radio feed of games. There were significant improvements in Maps with iOS 11 for Car Play. I'd like to see them put a little more effort into expanding it, but it works.

 

[Red_dog]

You missing the point, car play is just an apple device, just like the iPhone, iPod, etc. I look into to it, because I wanted a bigger screen, then the iPhone. Well, guess what, you iPhone will not mirror to it as airplay. You need all new apps and you can not have the same app, such as google map or Waze. Plus if you want navigation that’s more money. I have navigation on my phone, why do I need another. That’s because car play will not use your iPhone. Yes it has access to your iPhone. Which I can do with all the other Bluetooth radio. If it free okay, but don’t spend your money on it.

 

[king3pj]

You missing the point, car play is just an apple device, just like the iPhone, iPod, etc. I look into to it, because I wanted a bigger screen, then the iPhone. Well, guess what, you iPhone will not mirror to it as airplay. You need all new apps and you can not have the same app, such as google map or Waze. Plus if you want navigation that’s more money. I have navigation on my phone, why do I need another. That’s because car play will not use your iPhone. Yes it has access to your iPhone. Which I can do with all the other Bluetooth radio. If it free okay, but don’t spend your money on it.

There is a lot of incorrect information in your post. I have first hand experience with CarPlay on our 2018 Chevy Equinox. CarPlay only works with an iPhone plugged into the car via USB. The compatible apps I have on my phone do automatically show up on the CarPlay interface when I plug my phone in. There is no app store built into CarPlay. When my iPhone is not plugged in via USB there isn't even an option for CarPlay on the touch screen. It is not an independent device like an iPhone or iPad.

CarPlay will not mirror your device to the screen like AirPlay does on the Apple TV because Apple doesn't want to get sued when some idiot crashes their car trying to watch Netflix while driving. That is why only apps that Apple approves get CarPlay support. The apps I use with CarPlay on a regular basis are Spotify for music, Pocket Casts for podcasts, Audible for audio books, MLB at Bat for listening to baseball games, and Apple Maps. These were all apps I used on my phone all the time before having CarPlay and they just automatically show up on the CarPlay screen when I plug my phone in.

CarPlay absolutely uses the navigation built into your phone.You don't have to pay more to use navigation. The caveat is that it only works with Apple Maps. They haven't approved Google Maps or Waze but you can use Apple Maps with CarPlay for free if you download it from the App Store on your phone.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Agreed! It is true that in some cars, like my wife's 2018 Subaru Outback, you can easily switch between Car Play and the Subaru's built in apps, but then again on the Chevy Cruze 2016, I can hit the home entertainment button and switch from Car Play to Sirius XM, etc...

 

[TheForce]

CarPlay absolutely uses the navigation built into your phone.You don't have to pay more to use navigation. The caveat is that it only works with Apple Maps. They haven't approved Google Maps or Waze but you can use Apple Maps with CarPlay for free if you download it from the App Store on your phone.

In addition, I noticed that traffic is enabled on the Car Play Apple maps too. Not all areas offer the service, but we have it here in Jacksonville all the way south to just below St. Augustine. It shows up again around Daytona down to Disneyworld. It looks similar to Google Traffic.

I have yet to try streaming video on my Honda link Browser with Google+when moving. It works when the vehicle is parked in my driveway, confirmed with Netflix and You Tube and Facebook videos. Next time I'm passenger with my wife driving, I will test it. I'd bet it is disabled when the car is moving. Address keyboard is disabled for the satellite navigation when moving, but it has the option of voicing the destination which is a nice option even when parked.

Another thing I noticed with Apple Car Play. If I wish to use Apple Car Play, I have to connect the Lightning cable but when I do it disconnects the BT. Now that is not a problem because Apple Car Play is active, but I lose my internet for all other stuff. So when I want to use the Google+ browser from Honda Link I have to disconnect the lightning cable to get full internet back via the iphone BT.

 

[Red_dog]

There is a lot of incorrect information in your post. I have first hand experience with CarPlay on our 2018 Chevy Equinox. CarPlay only works with an iPhone plugged into the car via USB. The compatible apps I have on my phone do automatically show up on the CarPlay interface when I plug my phone in. There is no app store built into CarPlay. When my iPhone is not plugged in via USB there isn't even an option for CarPlay on the touch screen. It is not an independent device like an iPhone or iPad.

CarPlay will not mirror your device to the screen like AirPlay does on the Apple TV because Apple doesn't want to get sued when some idiot crashes their car trying to watch Netflix while driving. That is why only apps that Apple approves get CarPlay support. The apps I use with CarPlay on a regular basis are Spotify for music, Pocket Casts for podcasts, Audible for audio books, MLB at Bat for listening to baseball games, and Apple Maps. These were all apps I used on my phone all the time before having CarPlay and they just automatically show up on the CarPlay screen when I plug my phone in.

CarPlay absolutely uses the navigation built into your phone.You don't have to pay more to use navigation. The caveat is that it only works with Apple Maps. They haven't approved Google Maps or Waze but you can use Apple Maps with CarPlay for free if you download it from the App Store on your phone.

Thanks for your reply, First I will double check about using the nav on the phone, when I was replacing my radio, if you want to CarPlay with nav, you had to buy an radio with nav, I didn’t mean pay extra fee.
Second, as for app, if you would do a little checking, you will find out that CarPlay has it own os, just like the iwatch and this is why there isn’t any apps. The last time I check, they we’re trying to more app. Third, as for being sue by watch Netflix, that a real BS. You can watch it now using a windshield mount. Plus, all you need to do a modify the app, not remove it. Look at wase, if you are moving, it will ask it you are the passenger. As for being sue, if the police find out you were watching any video, yes you will be liable, not the app writer.
Last, that for the information on that the iPhone needs to be plug in. The real waste of time, if you just going down the street.
As for now, I will stayed with what I said, if fee, go for it, but it not worth the money.

 

[king3pj]

Thanks for your reply, First I will double check about using the nav on the phone, when I was replacing my radio, if you want to CarPlay with nav, you had to buy an radio with nav, I didn’t mean pay extra fee.

You can do all the double checking you want but I'm telling you that I have personally used Apple Maps through CarPlay many times and our 2018 Equinox does not have built in navigation. That is an upgrade I didn't pay for because I knew I could just use CarPlay for free. Different radios may have different features with CarPlay and maybe the aftermarket radio you were looking at installing didn't support Apple Maps for some reason but the stock radio built into my Chevy works fine without the car having built in navigation.

Third, as for being sue by watch Netflix, that a real BS. You can watch it now using a windshield mount. Plus, all you need to do a modify the app, not remove it. Look at wase, if you are moving, it will ask it you are the passenger. As for being sue, if the police find out you were watching any video, yes you will be liable, not the app writer.

I strongly disagree. There is a huge difference between a driver deciding to use a windshield mount to watch Netflix while they drive and Apple purposely designing CarPlay to work with Netflix and other video apps. The windshield mount example is the user taking a mount that was designed for many legitimate purposes and using it in an idiotic way. Apple building video support in natively is Apple helping people be idiots while they drive. It's easy to see why Apple would have liability if they built it into CarPlay and not have liability if someone bought a windshield mount that Apple didn't even make.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Agreed. On both points.


Apple MAPS is a core component of car play. IF you car supports car play, it has Apple Maps navigation. My Chevy Cruze does not have built in navigation. I too didn't want it, as I knew I had Apple Maps. My wife's Subaru has both its own navigation AND car play.

Video on the screen in the front of the car is not just insane, it would be illegal in several states. It is a terrible idea, bound to create distracted drivers and accidents.

 

[harshness]

My optimism says its just too new to Apple.

Carplay was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2014.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Seriously, it is completely unlikely that Apple will ever support social media on CarPlay, for the liability and safety issues discussed above. There is no reason, however, why there isn't a weather app, OR why Google Maps doesn't have an app. now the latter could be on Apple, or it could be on Google.

 

[TheForce]

There is no reason, however, why there isn't a weather app,

I would like to see the weather radar added as an overlay on the maps with GPS movement. I have that feature on my Ford Escape using Sirius Travel. I just turn it on like adding gas stations and hotels to the map. While my 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid has lots of nice features in the Nav screen, it is not as slick and convenient as the one on my 2014 Ford Escape. The Honda has three Map navigation apps. 1. the satellite Garmin with overlay of gas stations, hotels, restaurants and others. But no weather radar. Not even Sirius is compatible. Then I do have the Google+ Browser where I can load up weather.com and other weather web sites when in range of LTE but this does not track with the navigation. Then there is Apple Car Play and that has no weather. Traffic is available on the Garmin, Carplay map, and Google Earth map but it is slow on updates. Waze on my Google + is really slow. Better to just load it up on my ipad or iphone separately. So, I connect one iphone to the car play or Google+ and use the second iphone for waze which is much faster.

 

[Foxbat]

I finally got to experience CarPlay with my iPhone when renting the Volvo S90. It works way better than mounting the iPhone and using its display, plus Siri's instructions overlay any audio input, not just the BT or USB AirPlay feed from the iPhone. The only reason I preferred the S90's built-in Nav was the driver display of NAV info in the instrument cluster. However, we stayed at a new hotel and its address was not in the car's NAV database, but Apple Maps had it. You also get traffic info as well using the phone. If the driving instructions could show up in the instrument cluster it would be a great system.

My friend who had a Samsung Galaxy S7 recently moved to an iPhone 7 Plus after he bought a Cadillac XTS sedan with CUE. He said the Android Auto was a pain to use and his spouse's iPhone did CarPlay seamlessly. Since it was a Company phone it wasn't a big deal to change (other than getting used to a GUI on the iPhone) and he's loving the CarPlay's features for streaming audio from the Pandora app. I saw MLB at-Bat, Pandora, Tuned-in, and Amazon Music where available on mine.

 

[Red_dog]

You can do all the double checking you want but I'm telling you that I have personally used Apple Maps through CarPlay many times and our 2018 Equinox does not have built in navigation. That is an upgrade I didn't pay for because I knew I could just use CarPlay for free. Different radios may have different features with CarPlay and maybe the aftermarket radio you were looking at installing didn't support Apple Maps for some reason but the stock radio built into my Chevy works fine without the car having built in navigation.




I strongly disagree. There is a huge difference between a driver deciding to use a windshield mount to watch Netflix while they drive and Apple purposely designing CarPlay to work with Netflix and other video apps. The windshield mount example is the user taking a mount that was designed for many legitimate purposes and using it in an idiotic way. Apple building video support in natively is Apple helping people be idiots while they drive. It's easy to see why Apple would have liability if they built it into CarPlay and not have liability if someone bought a windshield mount that Apple didn't even make.

You are missing the main point. You are confusing maps with navigation. Okay the question is does your radio have a gps chip.
Also as for video, may car can watch Video unless it moving. I will also repeat this. CarPlay has it own os, which is different then iPhone. This means that all the app must be rewritten to be used. However if you want to think that apple is protecting you, instead of their pockets, that okay.

And as for CarPlay, good concept, poor product.
Remember the person want real good information, pro and con on CarPlay, not just apple BS.

Example. Does CarPlay sort maps?, can it creat routes with no cell service? Do you need cell service?