Apple CarPlay iPhone tech launches with Ferrari, Hyundai and Jaguar

Apple is rolling out CarPlay, an iOS-powered service that integrates iPhone functions into cars.

The company had announced its "iOS in the Car" initiative at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013, and has now confirmed that it will be available in various cars due to launch this year.

Apple has partnered with firms such as Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Jaguar for 2014 launches, while Ford, BMW, Kia Motors and many of the world's other biggest car makers are also confirmed as partners.

In addition to playing music and podcasts, CarPlay will also work with Siri to allow drivers to read and compose text messages, make calls, and navigate using Maps, hands-free.

Apple says its Maps product uses information from its users' contact lists, emails and calendar appointments as well as live traffic information to create routes and plan journeys. The tools will be displayed on the centre display consoles of cars, showing an iOS-like design.

CarPlay currently only works with selected third-party apps, with only Spotify and the Stitcher podcast player available in the UK. The firm has also partnered with US services Beats Radio and iHeartRadio.

This move into the car space will be important for Apple, as other tech firms also look to integrate with other parts of users' lives. In January, Google announced that it would be working with car manufacturers including Honda, Hyundai and Audi to integrate the Android operating system into cars.

Google Glass augmented reality headwear and a smartwatch from Nissan have also begun to find their way into the car space in recent months.

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