Apple Getting Deeper Into Auto Equipment Supply Market

Apple has toyed with bringing its mobile devices to cars for several years, but generally automakers have had to create their own solutions to adding iPod support to their cars. However, Apple has finally realized that people want access to their music, apps and contacts in their cars. Apple announced in June that it is partnering with Honda, Mercedes, Jaguar Land Rover, Ferrari,Nissan, General Motors, Volvo, Hyundai and Kia, and the first of these cars will be on sale later this fall. 

“It’s something that people want, and I think that Apple can do this in a unique way and better than anyone else. It’s a key focus for us," said Aplle CEO Tim Cook.

The cars with Apple's infotainment system will use Apple's iOS 6 operating system incorporated into the dashboard head unit. Most of the controls will be through Apple's Siri voice recognition system. Users will be able to control navigation, text messages, e-mails and music with voice controls. It will also introduce Apple's new iTunes Radio music streaming service.

“Just like the App Store is a key part of the ecosystem and iTunes and all of our content are key, and the services we provide from messaging to Siri and so forth, having something in the automobile is very, very important,” said Cook.

Apple's biggest competitor will be the automakers themselves. Several, including Ford and Cadillac, have said that they have no intent to use Apple's system because they have already invested to much to create their own infotainment systems. They claim that their systems are tuned to each car and will work better than Apple's one-for-all solution.

Apple is already working on an update for their system that will use the latest iOS 7 software.

Separately, Apple is offering just the Siri voice recognition system to automakers who want to use it for their current systems.BMW, Volkswagen Group, Toyota and Chrysler, all of which are not using the full Apple infotainment suite, say that they will incorporate the Siri system on their new cars this fall. 

“Our environment to deliver apps is a controlled environment. We place a big priority on quality. We place a big priority on safety. We really want to curate that environment, and we don’t want to open it up to just anybody," said Sandy Lobenstein, Toyota's head of connected technology in the US.  

Source: Automotive News

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