Harman debuts first wireless Apple CarPlay integration, launches with BMW 5 Series sedan

Audio vendor Harman has unveiled a new wireless CarPlay solution for car manufacturers, with the technology first hitting the market as manufacturer-installed gear in the BMW 5 Series Sedan.

Harman is the first manufacturer's system to use CarPlay's wireless implementation with the iPhone connecting through Bluetooth and wi-fi. The new technology allows for simultaneous operation of a vehicle's in-car entertainment and CarPlay navigation while providing calls, music playback, and other features to be controlled through the car's display.

The newBMW 5 Series Sedan comes equipped with technology serving both the driveline and in-cabin creature comforts. Notably, the first shipping iteration of wireless CarPlay is joined by optional assisted driving modes, adaptive cruise control, a heads-up display, and voice and gesture control.

Wireless CarPlay debuted in a beta version of iOS 8 in 2015, with a later arrival as an official feature in iOS 9. Like the original wired CarPlay system, Automakers were slow to adopt the technology, as a whole with a recent spike in adoption.

Wireless CarPlay is also available in after-market solutions.

AppleInsider had a hands-on demonstration with the wireless Alpine iLX-107 receiver during the January Consumer Electronics Show. The Alpine solution uses Bluetooth as a trigger to change over to 5GHz Wi-Fi direct for CarPlay with call audio routed over wi-fi as well. Alpine reports that there is no discernible drain on battery when using CarPlay wirelessly.

Alpine's iLX-107 will launch this February for $900, and is compatible with the iPhone 5 and newer.

Apple's CarPlay is slowly making its way into the mainstream as an increasing number of major manufacturers are include support for the technology. In late January, Subaru said its forthcoming 2018 Legacy will feature CarPlay integration.

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13 Comments

rhbellmor

said about 7 years ago

Big question, and it might be a dumb question but will all of us with cars that support CarPlay be able to do wireless with an iOS update or is that a hardware issue?

volcan

said about 7 years ago

https://www.sammobile.com/2017/02/19/harman-international-merger-with-samsung-electronics-approved-by-shareholders/

Samsung Electronics announced in November last year that it had decided to acquire Harman International for $8 billion. This acquisition gives Samsung access to Harman’s automotive business as well as its premium audio brands which include Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon, JBL, and more. There was some pushback from minority investors who felt that the price was too low. Some even filed a lawsuit against Harman’s CEO for deciding to sell the company at a price that they perceived to be lower than what the company was actually worth.

However, despite those concerns and the troubles that Samsung is going through these days, Harman International shareholders have voted in favor of the acquisition. This means that a major hurdle is now out of Samsung’s way as it seeks to close this deal in the coming months.

A regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission confirms that 70.78 percent of Harman’s common shares – 49,460,322 out of 69,883,605 shares – were represented at the shareholders meeting either in person or through proxies. 46,921,832 shares were in favor of the acquisition, 2,107,178 against with 431,312 abstentions.

With the shareholder approval now out of the way, the acquisition now requires an approval by antitrust authorities in the United States, South Korea, China and the European Union. Samsung plans on closing this deal by the third quarter this year.

mike1

said about 7 years ago

rhbellmor said:

Big question, and it might be a dumb question but will all of us with cars that support CarPlay be able to do wireless with an iOS update or is that a hardware issue?

Definitely hardware on the car side.

StrangeDays

said about 7 years ago

id just be happy if the slow-ass auto makers got wired CarPlay across their lines. 2016 Subaru, no CarPlay. lame.

xmhillx

said about 7 years ago

I love my Toyota Tacoma. But Toyota is pissing me off announcing they're not supporting Car Play, rather adopting Ford's infotainment software. Wtf. Why not do both? Probably because Ford wants your user data and privacy data to sell to marketing companies and Apple's CarPlay is a more restrictive system. That and Ford's system is open source; doesn't sound compatible with Apple. Yet even Ford announced they will adopt CarPlay in select 2016/2017 models anyway, which contradicts my theory. Toyota did initially announce support early on, and now says no plans for support. So wtf Toyota? Who knows.

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