iPhone users no longer have to wait to buy a new car just to get Apple’s cloud-connected CarPlay media player. When CarPlay was released at the Geneva Motor Show a month ago, it was only available for new Ferraris and Volvos.
Car stereo manufacturer Pioneer has announced it will sell aftermarket in-dash multimedia receivers to support CarPlay, allowing drivers to upgrade existing vehicles.
CarPlay compatibility was made available for the US market halfway through the year via a firmware update to the five 2014 NEX in-dash multimedia models, which ranged between US$700 to US$1,400.
CarPlay was listed as coming soon for the Australian market on Pioneer’s website.
The Pioneer device featured LCD displays, Siri voice control to make and receive calls, compose and respond to text messages and use Apple Maps for navigation. iPhone users could also listen to music, podcasts and iTunes Radio. These features were only active when an iPhone was connected to the CarPlay interface.