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BMW Ready to Integrate Apple CarPlay

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Photo: Allen Lai

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming more and more common in vehicle infotainment systems, especially as automakers admit that it’s easier to integrate the smartphone manufacturers’ systems into their cars than to adapt their own programs to interface with each new operating systems version as its released. Later this year, BMW will begin to integrate Apple CarPlay into some of its vehicles.

According to 9to5Mac, the German catalog for the 2017 model years shows that wireless Apple CarPlay will be integrated into at least the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M in the second half of this year. Up until now, BMW was listed as an Apple CarPlay partner, but refrained from actually having the program in its vehicles until now. BMW prides itself on its own infotainment system, and it’s understandable why it would be reluctant to give control to Apple by adding CarPlay. The manufacturer is rumored to be working with Apple to build the rumored “Apple Car,” so perhaps BMW adding CarPlay is a type of offering to the tech giant to prove that BMW is willing to collaborate.

9to5Mac also reports that the catalog listing for Apple CarPlay mentions that drivers will be able to wirelessly connect their phone to the infotainment system. In previous iterations of CarPlay,the phone has to be actually connected to the car with a cable. The tech reporting site points out that Apple devices have been ready for wireless connectivity for some time, but cars have not been prepared to support it. We are wondering if BMW didn’t want to be another face in the Apple CarPlay world, and it was waiting for an exclusive to add the tech to its cars.

There is still no word from BMW or Apple as to when CarPlay might make its way into the rest of the luxury automaker’s lineup. And, of course, no one is talking about an upcoming Apple Car.

News Source: 9to5Mac