Reports claim that Apple is building deeper, more integrated relationships with the world’s leading automakers in order to make its devices to the next generation of connected cars. The next version of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system — iOS7 — will be focused on in-vehicle use and will offer a greater level of Siri and Apple Maps integration so that iPhone owners can access hands-free turn-by turn spoken and visual navigation when driving.
Apple has made no secret of its desire to put its devices inside as many cars as possible. At the Worldwide Developers Conference in 2012 it unveiled Siri Eyes free, a special driving mode for the iPhone that allows a driver to access a number of iPhone features without touching the device, specifically aimed at drivers, and at the same event, revealed that a number of the world’s biggest auto makers, including Toyota, Honda and BMW had signed up to the program and would be installing a dedicated Siri button on their future models’ dashboards.
Now, according to “people familiar with the plans,” Apple is stepping up its operations in this regard and the redesigned operating system, which will make its debut at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 11, will offer even greater integration. Apple hopes that car makers such as BMW and Mercedes will essentially make the iPhone an integral part of their cars’ consoles — the car’s display becoming a mirror of the phone’s screen. However, though the partnerships and underlying technologies are expected to be announced next month, it could take some time before the average consumer will be able to benefit, due to federal regulations in the US and safety regulations regarding driving and vehicles in other territories.
Other news to have leaked surrounding the upcoming refresh to Apple’s mobile operating system is that under the leadership of chief product designer, Jonny Ive, the look and feel is being stripped back to a very minimalistic appearance — so no texture, limited color and no fake wood or stone effects, but plenty of plain blocks of color and clear navigation. Insiders claim that the new version has lost none of its simplicity or ease of use but its lack of warm colors and other ‘organic’ touches could alienate long-time iPhone users in the same way that Windows 8 casued uproar among the Microsoft faithful when it was launched in November 2012.
