Apple’s CarPlay Integration a Quick Task for Third-Party Developers

Since Apple announced CarPlay late Sunday, we have seen Volvo, Mercedes, and Ferrari showing off how the iOS in the car works. But car makers weren’t the only ones who got access to CarPlay’s private API before the official launch: The video walk-through of Apple’s CarPlay in a Ferrari FF, for example, shows third-party apps as well, such as Spotify and iHeartRadio. These companies have been selected and granted early access to Apple’s in-car technology. Fast Company has talked with Brian Lakamp of Digital for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to share their experience with Apple’s new technology.

Carplay

Lakamp oversees subsidiary iHeartRadio, which is an Internet radio service that is now part of Apple’s CarPlay.

“Apple is pretty selective about how they disclose information,” says Lakamp. “Apple made us aware of the opportunity. We were enthusiastic to participate and then worked closely with them to build the demo that they just demoed in Geneva.”

Although Lakamp didn’t disclose how much time they have spent on integrating iHeartRadio in CarPlay, he did confirm that it was a fairly quick process. Apple “has done a good job with the API,” as it eliminates the need to create a new, dedicated version and allows developers to add CarPlay support to the already-existing app(s).

“The way that Apple constructed this is a relatively thin layer that we need to build to copy existing apps that move some of the control and command structure to the console,” Lakamp says. “Then the console simply acts as a remote control to your app. It was a relatively light integration.”

“Without giving specific dates, it was fairly quick for us,” Lakamp says. “Apple has done a good job of doing what you need to do in a car. I can tell you that we spend a lot of time on our custom integrations thinking about how you keep an experience highly functional, but highly simple–because driver distraction is something that you really need to think about–and how you take the core of a product and can convey it as safely and simply as possible.”

When asked about whether it is afraid of Apple taking over the car, Lakamp said that Clear Channel, iHeartRadio’s parent company, isn’t worried about it, as radio is here is to stay. Audio is a very important element of the car/driving experience, so what we are seeing now is a natural evolution of technology.

Apple has partnered up with Volvo, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz for the initial launch of CarPlay, but other car manufacturers have also joined the list, so we are going to see a handful of CarPlay-enabled cars rolling out this year.

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