Apple announced its rebranding of “iOS in the Car” yesterday, dubbed CarPlay. The system is an in-car infotainment system that allows you to connect your iOS device to your, you guessed it, motor vehicle. Provided the car supports it, that is.

Reportedly the system will allow user to make calls, access messages, listen to music or, we guess if they are feeling particulary brave, use Maps. All these features are driven via Siri-based voice control, touch controls or standard controls in the car. Third party apps like Spotify, Beats Radio, Stitcher and iHeartRadio are also supported, although you should note that not all of these apps will function in South Africa.

For the initial rollout of CarPlay Apple has partnered with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as first round contributors and later the system will be taken on board by a large swath of other auto manufacturers: 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.

Carplay will reportedly become available as an update to iOS 7 on Lightning-enabled iPhones, which means the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C will be able to run the tech, and we should be seeing the first cars supporting CarPlay later in 2014. For the US at least.

Source: Mashable