Apple announced on Monday that is inside automobiles via its newest bit of software CarPlay, but Apple fanboys may be shocked at who the company is working with. Blackberry
In what appears to be a surprising partnership, BlackBerry is actually working with Apple on CarPlay. CarPlay is dependent on infotainment centers running BlackBerry's QNX operating system, which is the foundation of BlackBerry 10 OS and the company's discontinued BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
N4BB reached out to QNX to confirm the news and as it had suspected, CarPlay works with BlackBerry's QNX OS.
"Connectivity to smartphones and other mobile devices is a key strength of QNX Software Systems' platform for car infotainment systems, and many automakers and tier one automotive suppliers use our platform to implement smartphone/head-unit integration in their vehicles. We have a long-standing partnership with Apple to ensure high-quality connectivity with their devices, and this partnership extends to support for Apple CarPlay.", said QNX's Paul Leroux.
Apple has been a partner of QNX for some time in order to connect iOS devices to automobiles. Apple is simply doing what it does best; it's adding an easy to use and intuitive way to interact with your car's infotainment system and has wrapped it up in the very familiar iOS 7-user interface, which has been completely built from the ground up with a focus on driving and safety.
Automobiles seem to be a major focus for tech companies, as both Apple and Google will join Microsoft this year with its version of an automobile infotainment system. CarPlay works by plugging in your lightening connector equipped iPhone into a port and you'll be greeted with an iOS 7-like user interface on your infotainment's display. You can control CarPlay with your voice using Siri, touchscreen, or knobs and buttons. It allows you to use your Phone, Music, iTunes Radio, Apple Maps, and Messages. Apple has also announced CarPlay will be able to run more than Apple's own apps, it has included support for third-party apps like Spotify, iHeartRadio, BeatsRadio, and more.
Apple has already revealed some of its early partners, which include Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Honda, Jaguar, and Volvo. You can also check out what carmakers have committed to using CarPlay in future models on Apple's CarPlay site.
