How Apple's CarPlay Could Shore Up the Car Stereo Industry

Velcroman1 writes: "Car stereo salesmen and installers around the country are hoping Apple's CarPlay in-car infotainment system will have a big presence in the aftermarket car stereo industry. The Nikkei Asian Review reports that Alpine is making car stereo head units for between $500 – $700 that will run the iOS-like system Apple unveiled last month, and Macrumors added Clarion to the list of CarPlay supporters. Pioneer is also getting into the game, with support said to be coming to existing car stereo models in its NEX line ($700 – $1400) via firmware update, according to Twice. Given Apple's wildly supportive fan base, its likely that a lot of aftermarket CarPlay units are about to fly off stereo shop shelves. Indeed, CarPlay coming to aftermarket stereo units could bring back what Apple indirectly stole from the industry going back as far as 2006."

Wouldn't trust Apple

[StripedCow]

I wouldn't trust Apple. When this becomes successful, before you know it, they will force other manufacturers out of the market. Look at how they are controlling the app-store, and forcing developers to not compete with Apple's products.

Less apple more ISO standard interface please

[Anonymous Coward]

I recently bought a new car with the USB dongle in the glove cabinet to hook stuff directly to the car stereo. (a 2000 bucks option)

They failed to mention it only supports apple products.

Its time that a ISO standard arrives for cars so i can hook any device to it that supports the standard.

If Apple infotainment is great why dont we see it

[Trachman]

If Apple infotainment is great why don't we see it in the airplanes. We don't see it because it is damn too expensive. I do respect Apple's commercial acumen, quality, design and innovations, but I don't own any of the apple's products nor am I planning to, and I have tried..... No offense to Mac owners and I have heard a lot about their quality and durability. When someone is buying and Iphone, it is easy to bury equipment depreciation to service provider fee. When someone will buy a car in the nearest future, apple infotainment will be one of the many junk services that people will just cross out. I quietly hope that Apple infotaintment will take the same place among junk fees and services such as extended gold service plan, super coated seat protection, anti-theft glass engravings, floor plan fee and other.

Re:Why spend another $700 for a car stereo

[Scowler]

How is this better than vanilla Bluetooth Audio?

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

I recently bought a peripheral that didn't work!

[mveloso]

I recently spent $35,000 on a peripheral for my phone, but I forgot to check if the peripheral worked with my phone.

Can someone write a law that says that all peripherals have to work with my phone?

Thank you very much.

Signed, ignorant consumer.

Re:Wouldn't trust Apple

[AlphaWolf_HK]

You're working under the assumption that consumers will demand them...I'm kind of thinking that's a negative. I think most of them are probably more interested in having a tablet or smartphone instead. When it comes to me getting cars, I don't really give a shit about infotainment systems as I've always found my smartphone to be much more flexible. Music? Pandora. GPS? Google Maps. How would CarPlay improve anything? Maybe, *maybe* for a self-driving car, but beyond what I mentioned, I don't really mess with any controls while I'm driving.

Re:Apple stole nothing

[Toshito]

Buttons are the way to go for an interface in a car. That and big knobs or switches. Something with a lot of tactile feedback. Just look at an airplane's cockpit.

A touch interface has no place in a car, much too dangerous to use, and totally useless in winter when it's -30C and you wear gloves. The screen becomes slow as molasses and you can't control it without removing your gloves.