CarPlay finally welcomes navigation applications Waze and Google Maps
LATER this year, Apple CarPlay will fi nally welcome third party navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps.
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC) event this week, the company announced features and apps that will roll out this fall with iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS updates. But that’s not all, CarPlay did get a mention, much to everyone’s delight.
CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming a standard in all the latest cars, allowing users to turn the car dashboard into a familiar interface with preferred apps. Apple, however, wasn’t feeling quite as open when it released CarPlay back in 2014, offering users navigation only with Apple Maps. Although Apple Maps is well regarded in the area, there are many drivers who have grown fond of other options, such as Waze or Google Maps.
Waze is especially popular as a community-based navigation app as it allows drivers the ability to communicate any issues they encounter, such as traffic (whether mild or heavy) as well as construction or accidents.
The news that Apple is now supporting third-party apps is being welcomed by many and even though the Cupertinobased fi rm didn’t say much about it, the giant screen at the WWDC presentation did reveal a dashboard with the Waze and Google Maps icon.
This feature is said to roll out with iOS 12 in the autumn, given that the third party apps build their mapping software for the latest Apple update. — Relaxnews