Apple CarPlay: Why I Love It and Why You Need It
I'm in the car a lot. Apple CarPlay mirrors my phone on the SUV's infotainment screen so I can stay connected, navigate and listening to our favorite music.
It’s my #1 must have in a car. Period.
If I told you I would not have chosen my SUV if it didn’t have Apple CarPlay, would you believe me?
Apple CarPlay is an interface that takes hands-free phone use to the next level. It allows users like me, of Apple products – iPhone or iPad – to use our favorite iPhone/iPad features and functions through our car’s multimedia system. Basically, it mirrors approved iPhone apps right on your media screen.
What I love about Apple CarPlay
I love that the CarPlay interface is customizable. You can move your favorite and most used apps to the first eight spots, and add the rest on the next screen. For me, my communication apps and entertainment apps are on the first screen, and I can access my navigation apps with a quick swipe to the next screen. In addition to that, I’m going to share the features of Apple CarPlay that I love.
Safe Driving With Hands-Free Phone Calls and Texting
Safe driving is my number one priority, which is one of the top reasons why I love that my SUV is equipped with Apple CarPlay. It allows me to conduct phone calls hands-free, as well as allows me to hear text messages read aloud over the stereo and respond to the messages without taking my hands off of the steering wheel or eyes off of the road.
Related: 6 Surprising Reasons to Connect Your Phone to Your Car Right Now
Easy Navigation Through Third-Party Map Apps
My family and I are always on the road, and without navigation, I would be lost. When I first got my SUV, third-party mapping apps like Google Maps and Waze were not available to use via CarPlay since Apple has Apple Maps. Sometime late last year that changed so now, I am able to use my favorite community-powered map app, Waze. It provides turn-by-turn navigation information and user-submitted travel data including accidents, road obstructions, and more.
Related: Amazing Car Safety Features: Innovative Driver Assistance Technology
What is awesome about being able to use Waze in conjunction with Apple CarPlay is that instead of using the small screen of my iPhone, I can see the map displayed on my SUVs 10” screen, as well as hear the turn by turn navigation and warnings through the speakers. In addition to that, I can view turn by turn route details on my phone while simultaneously viewing the map on the infotainment screen.
Customizable entertainment
Whether it is going to work, shuttling my daughter to gymnastics or swimming, or even a road trip, I spend at least 85% of my time in my SUV. Therefore, I need to be able to access not only my favorite entertainment apps but my daughter’s as well. I love that I have access to the following entertainment apps via Apple CarPlay:
- Apple Music/iTunes
- Sirius XM
- Podcasts
- Google Play Music
Related: Let Your Kid Dictate Your Next Road Trip with Waze Voice Recorder
I also love that if I am playing a song that I love via iTunes, I can use CarPlay to create a radio station that is comprised of music similar to that song. It’s as simple as touching three dots in the “Now Playing” menu which will then give the option to create a radio station out of the current song or rate a song by pressing “Love” or “Dislike” on the screen.
Related: The 10 Best Apple CarPlay Adapters
Ignorance is Not Bliss… If it Means Not Having Apple CarPlay
I can attest to that my life before having an SUV without CarPlay versus now with Apple CarPlay, having a vehicle without CarPlay is not an option, especially if it means losing the convenience and safety of accessing my favorite apps and features of my phone while driving.
Also not an option is driving while distracted. Although Apple CarPlay enhances your driving experience it can lead to distracted driving. We all know that distractions are dangerous, so be a responsible driver when using Apple CarPlay (or any technology feature) while driving in your car. And stay safe out there!
Categorized:Car Technology
