iOS in the Car

[alexkid]

Apple makes no mention of VAG initial participation in its upcoming iOS 7 feature iOS in the Car. Also of note is that it won't be making an appearance until 2014.

A couple of questions;

Is it likely that current Volkswagen units would have powerful enough processing to support such technology (especially the new Discover series)?

Could an eventual software/firmware update to current units to make this possible? The new VW units already have fluid touchscreen movement and gesture capability.

This apple feature looks awesome and my worry is that if Volkswagen cannot incorporate this into it's brand new units it may be a while before they bother with new updates to become compatible (if they are at all interested for that matter). It seems unusual VAG would not be a participant given the partnership with Apple to bring out the iBeetle.

[The_Hawk]

It looks very interesting and attractive (being an iOS user and all).

For backwards compatability I think you'd be limited by the capabilities of the MDI and/or bluetooth connections and how much/what sort of data they can process.

Mind you, the more I think about it though the more I wonder what exactly I would use it for? I barely use the iPod in my car anymore (which is a dedicated unit which lives in there) rather I use bluetooth audio from my iPhone.

* The maps are built into the RNS so I don't need mapping from the phone (although it's probably far better than the RNS maps, but lets not get into that).
* Nifty to stream video (when parked or to rear screens) but again not something I would use.
* Other apps? Like what when driving? I suppose Siri could be handy to look something up, like the phone number of the place you're driving to or to anutomagically update an appointment you just had a phone call about...

The reality is that I pretty much have that already with a cradle hard mounted to the dash so I can see the phone!

[alexkid]

The feature I'm most interested in is the ability to have SMS's read out to you and then the ability to dictate a response by voice using Siri. I can't seem to shake the bad habit of fumbling around with my phone at traffic lights. I reckon being able to respond to messages, call people, ask for navigation to a particular address ect... without your eyes ever leaving the road would have to be a thing worth considering just for the safety aspect alone.

As for navigation... at the risk of being labelled an Apple fanboy, I know the apple maps still have a long way to go ATM but I reckon there would have to be some decent improvement by the time car manufacturers get their act together with this feature next year.

[Flying Ace]

I'm an iOS user myself and would love to have an iOS headunit in my GTI. It will be interesting if any third-party manufacturers will come out with the capability in the next year or so.

[team_v]

I'm an iOS user myself and would love to have an iOS headunit in my GTI. It will be interesting if any third-party manufacturers will come out with the capability in the next year or so.

with Apple's market share reducing each quarter i doubt there would be any reason for VW to pick it up as a "standard"
You might get a third party but then why not just set up an in dash ipad.

[zoomda]

I'd prefer the Microsoft's Sync system that Ford uses. It's a more mature product and doesn't require an isheep device.

I'd be pissed if any brand of car had to have a certain brand of phone to use its media features. Especially as ios isn't the leading mobile OS, it's not even half of the market.

[team_v]

BMW have announced they will not modify their car's to be compatible with Apple's iOS system.