When I wrote about Apple's new CarPlay earlier, the post generated a number of comments from car owners wishing their late-model vehicle could be retrofitted with CarPlay. Today's good news, via Nikkei Asian Review, is that Alpine Electronics will release a CarPlay console this fall in the US and Europe in a price range of $500–700. You won't have to buy a new Ferrari, Mercedes, or Volvo to take advantage of Apple's new offering. CarPlay lets you use various iPhone functions in your car while minimizing distraction—you control CarPlay just by speaking. You can make calls, receive calls, listen to voicemail, use the Maps app, listen to music, and send and receive text messages. Siri even reads your incoming messages to you and lets you dictate responses.
According to the article, Alpine's console will likely have a 7-inch screen and will work via a wired connection to an iPhone 5 or later. The expected price is actually cheaper than some other high-end in-car navigation systems, which can cost up to $1,000.
CarPlay's functionality actually goes beyond that of your iPhone. It can anticipate your needs and predict where you want to go based on recent trips and by using addresses from your email, text messages, contacts, and calendar.
In addition to using CarPlay for listening to your music, podcasts, audiobooks, and iTunes Radio, you’ll also be able to use specific third-party audio apps such as Spotify, Beats Radio, Stitcher, and iHeartRadio. Apple says that more apps will be coming soon.
If you're in the market for a new car, you'll have a lot of CarPlay options this year. Over a dozen auto manufacturers are planning to offer CarPlay this year in addition to the three who have already rolled it out (Ferari, Volvo, and Mercedes): BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota Motor Corp.
You can find a detailed review of CarPlay on the website Stuff.