Mazda Cars: Now Featuring Apple CarPlay
There’s a good chance that if you’re reading this right now, it’s on your smartphone. Or, if it’s not on your smartphone, that your phone is within reach of you. According to a 2017 US study, the average consumer checks their phone 47 times a day! Whether it’s at work, home or out with friends – we’re almost always using our phones… except, of course, while we’re driving. However, for anyone with Mazda cars, this exception is about to change.
Mazda Canada recently announced Apple CarPlay™ as a new Genuine Mazda Accessory. First introduced for the 2018 Mazda6 and 2019 Mazda CX-3, Apple CarPlay™ will come standard in all 2019 Mazda cars. This new system enables drivers and passenger a safe and streamlined way to access their favourite phone apps while in the car. With a number of excellent features, this infotainment system is an exciting new chapter for Mazda owners.
What to Know About Apple CarPlay™ for Mazda Cars:
How It Works
Apple CarPlay™ uses the Mazda HMI Commander system to seamlessly connect your iPhone to the Mazda touchscreen display. Meaning, when your iPhone is plugged in, the car’s own system is replaced by the iOS home screen, complete with your favourite app icons and a virtual home button. Unfortunately Apple CarPlay™ does not work with the older 30 pin connector iPhones, but anything from the iPhone 5 onwards is compatible.
The Apps
Apple CarPlay™ does not allow you access to every feature on your phone. For example, incoming messages are read aloud by Siri instead of shown and to respond you’ll have to dictate a reply. After all, the point of CarPlay is to offer you core features of your phone without distracting you from the road. As such, not all your apps will be available either. But before you get disappointed, there are still a number of excellent apps that you can utilize. The standard Apple apps include:
• Phone
• Music
• Maps
• Messages
• Now Playing
• Podcasts
• iBooks
Additionally, you can also download some third-party apps such as:
• Music Apps
• Radio Apps
• Podcast Apps
• News Apps
• Audio Books.
Retrofit
If you’re looking to purchase an older model, CarPlay for newer Mazda cars might not seem interesting to you. Fortunately, Mazda has announced retrofit options. This means Mazda will make it possible for older models as far back as 2014 to install the technology! In order to be eligible for this upgrade, the vehicle will have to integrate the Mazda Connect and HMI Commander systems. The following are all the cars that may be eligible for the retrofit Apple CarPlay™ system:
• 2014-2018 Mazda3
• 2016-2018 Mazda6
• 2016-2019 Mazda MX-5
• 2017-2019 Mazda MX-5 RF
• 2016-2019 Mazda CX-3
• 2016-2018 Mazda CX-5
• 2016-2018 Mazda CX-9
Apple CarPlay™ is just another advantage to buying Mazda cars! If you’re someone who likes to stay connected, this new infotainment system is a great way to use your favourite apps safely while you’re driving. For more information or to check out Apple CarPlay™ in person, make an appointment to test drive a new Mazda today!