Apple Carplay and car audio systems: how do the two work together?

Taking a closer look at Apple CarPlay, we wonder how it all works. What's the relationship between the app and the car's system? That's what we're going to find out.

APPLE CARPLAY PRESENTATION

Apple CarPlay is a software platform developed by Apple that enables iPhone users to use certain features of their phone directly on their car's display. By connecting via USB cable or wirelessly, users can access GPS navigation, messages, music and other compatible applications directly from their car screen.

The platform is designed to work with car audio and infotainment systems from a range of manufacturers, allowing users to control their phone without having to hold it in their hand or look at it. Apple CarPlay uses a familiar, intuitive user interface that resembles that of the iPhone, with app icons and integrated voice search.

Apple CarPlay is also designed to improve in-car safety, as users can control their phone with Siri voice commands or by using their car's controls. This allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, reducing distractions and improving driving safety.

With navigation, messaging, music and more, Apple CarPlay offers users a more convenient, connected and safe driving experience.

HOW DOES IT INTERACT WITH THE AUDIO SYSTEM?

Apple CarPlay and the car's audio system are two distinct technological systems, but they interact together to deliver a more convenient and enjoyable driving experience.

To work together, Apple CarPlay uses an application programming interface (API) that enables the platform to communicate with the car's audio system. This interface enables the iPhone to communicate with the car's audio system via a USB or wireless connection.

The car's audio system then uses the iPhone's interface to display information from music, podcasts, messaging applications and more on the car's screen.

Apple CarPlay and the car audio system also use standard communication protocols to exchange data with each other. This ensures that iPhone information is displayed correctly on the car's screen, and that all functionalities are accessible.

In short, the technological relationship between Apple CarPlay and the car's audio system is based on seamless communication and software compatibility.

WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL?

Communication protocols are standards and rules that define how computer systems interact and communicate with each other. In the case of Apple CarPlay and the car's audio system, there are several communication protocols in use.

The main communication protocol used by Apple CarPlay is the Multimedia Transport Protocol (MTP), which enables multimedia files to be transferred between the iPhone and the car's audio system. MTP is used to transfer audio and video files, as well as the images and configuration files needed to display iPhone information correctly.

In addition to MTP, Apple CarPlay also uses other communication protocols such as Media Access Protocol (MAP) for text messages and Audio/Video Control Protocol (AVCP) for managing audio and video streams.

The car audio system also uses communication protocols such as Hands-Free Profile Protocol (HFP) and Car Audio/Video Profile (A2DP) to manage phone calls and audio streaming. These protocols enable the car's audio system to communicate with the iPhone via Bluetooth or a wired connection.

In conclusion, the relationship between the two proves that Apple has done a titanic job to achieve a quality result.