Mazda has announced support for Apple CarPlay (& Android Auto) by the end of 2018. They are one of the last major manufacturers to announce support.
The new MX-5 released last week will be the last Mazda to not include CarPlay and Android Auto support standard.
The new Mazda CX-9 SUV will be the first model to include CarPlay as part of MZD Connect, Mazda’s infotainment system.
Your iPhone will be linked to MZD Connect via a USB port and CarPlay can be operated by the rotary control knob or (whilst the vehicle is stationary) by the centre console touch screen.
Mazda is also going to offering existing owners with the MZD Connect multimedia systems hardware and software retrofit to support Apple CarPlay (& Android Auto).
The pricing and availability of the upgrade has not yet been announced by Mazda Australia beyond before the end of 2018.
What is Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay runs off your iPhone, displays on your cars on-screen display and can be controlled by Siri, the touch screen or other controls like the Mazda rotary control knob.
It allows certain apps from you iPhone to be used on the car which have specifically been re-designed to be safer to use in the car.
The key apps in CarPlay are Maps, Phone, Messages and Music with iOS 12 bring support for third party Map support like Waze & Google Maps.
