Today, each of us uses a smartphone, and some still manage to drive a car and keep an eye on the road at this time. However, being distracted by calls or selecting a playlist can lead to an accident, which forces you to look for ways to integrate your smartphone with your car. CarPlay connectivity is one of them.
Cars with Apple CarPlay are incredibly popular and allow you to use applications from your iPhone on the vehicle’s onboard infotainment system via a regular USB cable. But wait! We live in the 21st century, and a wireless adapter for a car is not a luxury, but an essential thing if you strive to comply with modern technologies and keep pace with technical progress. They make it possible to finally get rid of those annoying USB cables and enjoy a super-comfortable driving experience.
So, when you buy such a device you control the iPhone by using a voice assistant or standard buttons on the steering wheel or media system. If you don’t know which model to choose, read our wireless Apple CarPlay guide, which contains all the necessary information.
What are the benefits of Apple CarPlay?
You will appreciate the benefits of this system as soon as you get behind the wheel. Imagine that you have booked a 9-seater car hire on Rental24.co.uk and are expecting a big family ride. Minibus hire self-drive allows you to get the most out of your trip, but keeping everyone safe on the road is a top priority, and Apple CarPlay fits perfectly into that concept.
This system allows you to use GPS, accept calls or messages, and use a calendar, as well as play audio on your car’s media system from a connected smartphone. That is, you don’t need to pick up your iPhone and thereby be distracted. The main advantages of CarPlay include:
- Simple and convenient navigation on the standard monitor of your car.
- Control via standard buttons on the steering wheel or media system.
- Using voice control to get the right route, find the nearest gas station, or answer an important call on time.
- Playing audio on the car’s media system.
- Charging your phone.
One of the most important and useful perks of Apple CarPlay is the ability to talk on the phone hands-free, as well as send and listen to messages using a voice assistant. If necessary, you can also turn on music, open a calendar, or email – simple and practical to use, especially when you’re in a hurry.
With all these benefits, the obvious question you might be asking is, “Can I add CarPlay to any car?” Although the system began to be implemented in cars in 2014, not all vehicles released later have appropriate support. The main criterion is having a compatible touchscreen dash unit, which can be installed separately even in an older car.
What are the criteria for choosing a wireless adapter?
Despite the simple design and similarity of functions, CarPlay adapters have distinctive features. Check the things to pay attention to when searching for such a device to find exactly what you need.
Compatibility with car and iPhone model
Imagine you are trying to link the on-board infotainment system and your iPhone but nothing works. Consider the compatibility issue of a car stereo with a wireless Apple CarPlay gadget to avoid such a fate. So, contact a specialist or read reviews to find out whether the desired adapter supports your specific car and iOS version.
Connection speed and reliability
You probably don’t want to encounter a situation where the navigation starts to freeze, especially when driving in an unfamiliar city with dense traffic. The processor installed in the adapter and the Bluetooth/WiFi chipset affect the performance of the device. Components that are too slow can only cause irritation, not assistance.
Quality of image and sound transmitted
Visual and sound perception of information must be at an acceptable level as it affects the overall experience. You don’t want your favorite song to sound like it’s coming from a tin can or your navigation map to look blurry, do you? So, choose an adapter with the appropriate characteristics.
Power consumption
Keep in mind that the CarPlay adapter will be permanently connected to the cigarette lighter or other power source in the car. This is why its energy efficiency is so important. Pay attention to the output power of the device and give preference to less energy-consuming ones, all other characteristics being equal.
Interface and control
Experts warn about possible difficulties when linking some cars with wireless CarPlay, but the reason lies in the adapter in most cases. Ensure you don’t have to spend an entire day setting up and connecting, while simple controls and menus ensure hassle-free use.
Price
As always, consider your budget before choosing an adapter: the cheapest option means you’ll have to sacrifice some features and endure longer response times. Therefore, we recommend taking a balanced approach and opting for a device at least from the middle price category. Of course, an expensive adapter promises more advanced functions and characteristics, which ultimately guarantees top-class performance.