Apple's CarPlay is in de prijzen gevallen, en niet bij de eerste de beste. Want het Amerikaanse Autoblog is populair, het trekt een slordige 2,4 miljoen bezoekers per maand en publicaties als bijvoorbeeld Business Week gebruiken data van Autoblog in hun reportages.

Het lijkt dan ook de moeite waard om even te melden dat Apple's CarPlay in de prijzen is gevallen bij Autoblog, want het won daar de Autoblog Technology of the Year Award 2016. Het was trouwens niet de enige winnaar, de andere was de Model S van Tesla.

De andere technologieën die genomineerd werden in de categorie technology of the year zijn de volgende: Audi Virtual Cockpit, Ford Sync 3, Android Auto, Smart Cross Connect App, Volkswagen MIB II Infotainment en Volvo Sensus Connect. Maar Apple's CarPlay kwam als de winnaar uit de bus en hieronder kunnen we lezen waarom:

Once connected to the car, Apple-minded consumers will appreciate the straightforward approach with which CarPlay brings their iPhones to life on the vehicle's touchscreen. CarPlay functions almost exactly the same way the smartphone does, which makes a user's transition into the car seamless and simple. App buttons are easy to find and push, though only a limited number of third-party apps work on CarPlay. (Popular music services like Spotify and Pandora Radio are among them).

Siri can help make phone calls, listen to voicemail, and pen text messages while drivers keep their eyes on the road. Apple touts this as a "smarter, safer way" to for motorists to use phones while driving, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention researchers at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety say these hands-free voice systems can be just as distracting to drivers as handheld ones.

One of the best advantages of using CarPlay is that consumers can bring Apple Maps into their vehicles. Depending on the make and model of their cars, this can potentially save car owners from having to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars to a dealership for an advanced navigation package. Saving money and better user experience? In its debut year, CarPlay is already on the right track.

Meer hierover is te vinden op deze pagina van Autoblog en in dit eerdere nieuwsbericht van Macfreak kan je alle automodellen zien die inmiddels CarPlay ondersteunen.