The new update makes in-car experiences more convenient.
Announced at this year's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference), Apple's update for the iOS 17 is bringing a more intuitive experience to users. For car owners, the California-based tech company has added new features for Maps and music via CarPlay.
In Maps, the platform will be capable of providing electric vehicle (EV) drivers with real-time charging availability information. With several brands going fully electric by the end of the decade, this update is now more relevant than ever.
Apple is adding offline maps, allowing users to use the platform without a data connection. Users can download a specific area and access it for navigation while offline. Moreover, Maps is making it easier to discover thousands of trails in parks across the United States.
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Meanwhile, music sharing via CarPlay with SharePlay is now more enjoyable as other passengers can add songs to the queue. This means that the connected smartphones won't need to be passed on anymore, which not only provides a more seamless listening experience on the go but also safer drives.
It is still unclear which music apps will be available for music sharing, but what's interesting is users don't need to have an Apple Music subscription to join the session.
Good thing America's current best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150, will still come with the nifty connectivity feature, along with the rest of the Blue Oval lineup. This story is true for other automakers that will retain Apple CarPlay – except GM.
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“With iOS 17, we've made iPhone more personal and intuitive by deeply considering the features we all rely on every day,” said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering.
Rival Android has also recently improved its in-car experience in partnership with tech giant Google. Revealed at the Google I/O 2023 event last month, the Android Automotive OS is introducing games and apps like YouTube to brands such as Volvo and Polestar, as well as Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, and Nissan.
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Keyword: Apple iOS 17 Maps And SharePlay Updates Make Car Rides More Convenient