MOUNTAINVIEW, Calif. � Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which allow operation of smartphone apps for navigation, text messaging and music through their car’s dashboard touch-screen, steering-wheel buttons or voice commands, will be available in more than 100 2017 model year vehicles, according toUSA today. In 2016 fewer than 50 vehicles were offering one or both, or had them on the way.
Ford offered nothing for 2016, but for the 2017 model year it becomes the first full-line vehicle manufacturer to offer Android Auto and CarPlay on every vehicle line it sells, including the Lincoln brand. General Motors now offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on 30 models.
Android devices dominate the U.S. smartphone market, but more 2017 vehicles will be available with CarPlay than with Android Auto. �BMW and Porsche will offer CarPlay on most of their models, but so far neither has announced plans to add Android Auto. Mercedes-Benz offers both systems on most models, but you can only get CarPlay on the GLS-Class and SL-Class. The Nissan Maxima also has CarPlay only for 2017.
�The ability to seamlessly integrate smartphone apps with a car’s multimedia system answers a crying need from millions who rely heavily on their handheld device for many, if not all, of their communication, navigation and infotainment needs,� according to the same article.��
