CarPlay is already available in new models from Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, Apple announced at the Geneva Motor Show on Monday.
Apple discussed CarPlay at its Worldwide Developers Conference last year through Vice President Eddy Cue, a board member of Ferrari. Drivers will be able to explore Apple maps as well as access music and movies, make calls and dictate texts through the system, which will include access to Siri. Other automakers to integrate the Apple iOS this year will be Honda, Chevrolet, Jaguar and Nissan.
The move is an indication Apple is becoming more essential beyond smartphones. Aside from texting, watching movies, playing games or checking the news, growth areas include transportation, health care and home automation, Dan Farber of CNET noted after a report that Apple's head of mergers and acquisitions met with electric car manufacturer Tesla CEO Elon Musk in 2013.
Apple isn't the only one eyeing the market. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google is teaming with Audi to develop an in-car entertainment and information system based on the Android OS. In the home automation front, Google is set to take the risk by buying Nest for $3.2 billion.
