Google and Apple integrating smartphones into cars

Apple's CarPlay lets you control your phone by voice, touch and car controls
Apple’s CarPlay lets you control your phone by voice, touch and car controls

I’m one of many people that use my smartphone while driving. I don’t text while driving and I never pick up the phone, but I do have a Bluetooth connection between my smartphone and my car’s audio system so that I can listen to Pandora, Spotify or one of thousands of other online music and news stations through my car’s speakers. I can also use my audio system as a speaker phone if I need to make or take a call.

But now both Apple and Google want to assure even better integration between cars and phones which is my Apple has created CarPlay and Google has announced Android Auto.

Both enable you to not only connect your car to audio systems in upcoming cars, but also to control those functions with the car’s built-in steering wheel controls.

Expect to see this technology in upcoming cars from GM, Ford, Kia, Honda, Toyota and most other companies.