► Apple CarPlay without wires
► Just like Apple CarPlay but easier
► Here’s how to get it
If you’re part of the Apple architecture, then you’ll probably already know about – or even use – Apple’s intuitive CarPlay system, which allows a user to mirror a select group of Apple apps onto their car’s multimedia screen.
Apple CarPlay apps include Apple Maps, Google Maps, the alternate mapping service Waze, music streaming service Spotify, WhatsApp, voice-to-text messaging and more.
Currently, an Apple CarPlay head unit requires the user to simply plug a phone into a USB port in their car to activate the CarPlay apps, but there’s a movement afoot across the industry to make Apple CarPlay wireless.
What’s Apple CarPlay, and how does wireless Apple CarPlay work? Well… you hop in your car, hit ‘CarPlay’ on the head unit and it… just works. The system uses a combination of WiFi, cellular and Bluetooth reception to stream to your compatible multimedia system.
BMW was the first car company to offer the service, even though it inexplicably decided to charge end users a subscription fee for a service that every other carmaker provides for free. The company is reportedly looking to drop the fee.
The cheapest cars with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: our sister site CarZing
Other carmakers joining the wireless Apple CarPlay revolution include Audi, which debuted the system aboard the latest A6, while Porsche’s latest model-year 911, Macan and Cayenne models all have Apple’s wireless connectivity as standard. The Panamera and Taycan will get it at the next model-year update, but it’s not yet confirmed for the 718 family.
Fellow VW Group brand Volkswagen has also indicated that it’ll roll the wireless CarPlay system out on the Golf Mk8. Volkswagen expects other vehicles to be updated within 12-18 months, with passenger cars such as the Tiguan, Golf and Touareg in the firing line. It will also encompass the new T-Roc and T-Cross that are due in May 2020.
There are some exceptions to Volkswagen’s wireless CarPlay rollout, mainly on the commercial vehicle side of the business.
The five cheapest cars with Apple CarPlay: our sister site CarZing
Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, will add wireless CarPlay functionality to its MBUX system, which launched with 2018’s A-Class update.
If your car is still a few years away from an update, it’s possible to buy an Apple CarPlay head unit aftermarket in order to access the service.
Companies like Pioneer offer Apple CarPlay stereos that will offer the wireless service.
In case you’re wondering, CarPlay is compatible with the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max, and the iPhone XR.
Contributing – Toby Hagon
This article originally appeared on whichcar.com.au