Apple Carplay Is Not Just for High-End Car Drivers
If you haven't gotten a new car for many years, the leaps and bounds in technology can be a surprise. One of the more pleasant changes, if you're an iPhone user, is the addition of Apple CarPlay, a control dashboard that allows you to use apps while driving without having to reach for your phone and run afoul of hands-free laws. This sort of integration with your smartphone is now normal in new cars, and it's not just for the higher-end vehicles.
You Don't Have to Give Up Major Non-Apple Apps
First, if there are non-Apple apps you prefer to use, you may still be able to use them with Apple CarPlay. For example, if you prefer to use Google Maps instead of Apple Maps, you can still do that. Major apps should be compatible. Of course, you don't really know until you try to connect your phone. If you're looking at a new car that's got Apple CarPlay, you may want to try connecting your phone (if the dealership will let you) to see which apps still work with the system. Note that entertainment apps like Audible do work, so you'll be able to listen to those audiobooks as you drive.
You Can Upgrade Older Cars, but You'll Have to Replace the Stereo
If you come away from the dealership unsure of what car to get but know that you want Apple CarPlay, you can retrofit your current car. You will have to replace the stereo system, so be sure you want to go through with this upgrade so close to when you might be getting a new car anyway. Look for a major manufacturer name and avoid cheaper knockoffs that might or might not work that well. Also, be aware that different retrofitting systems will fit different cars.
It Will Affect Your Data Plan and Limits
Note that whether you use Apple CarPlay in a new car or as part of a retrofit in an older car, you'll end up using data on your phone. Apple CarPlay isn't a separate program in your car; you have to connect your phone, and that means using some of the data as you drive. Of course, with so much unlimited data available nowadays, that might not be a problem for you.
If you've got family members who use Android, by the way, many cars are compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Definitely check this out when you look for a new car; it's better to have the capability for both and not need it than to have only one system and find out that the app you need is on a phone that uses the other system.
For more information, visit this site: https://sunvalleystereo.com/.
