Apple has even dispatched its VP of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing, Greg Joswiak, to help launch the new Ferrari FF with CarPlay. Unfortunately, the car manufacturer has made a terrible decision outfitting the Ferrari FF with a resistive touchscreen that requires users to press firmly to register touches…
Engadget got some hands-on time with the FF’s CarPlay and noted that the feature connects to the Ferrari’s built-in navigation system via a Lightning adapter located underneath the armrest.
Once it’s connected, Ferrari will continue to utilize its own infotainment system, but users can load CarPlay by hitting a dedicated dashboard button, allowing all touch and voice inputs to be diverted to your iPhone.
This loads the CarPlay dashboard, which features a familiar array of icons and services you’ll recognize from your iPhone. From here, it’s a case of using the touchscreen or calling upon Siri to load each of the services – the latter of which can be summoned with the Siri Eyes Free button located on the reverse of the steering wheel.
CarPlay is clever enough not to draw a driver’s attention away from the road so Siri reads back any incoming message though one doesn’t get to see its contents on the screen unless the Show Messages button is tapped.
According to Volvo, wireless CarPlay connections are coming soon.
Di Montezemolo commented on his company’s partnership with Apple:
I am both proud and delighted to announce Ferrari’s collaboration with Apple on CarPlay. We are the first company in the world to offer its clients a car equipped with a system this advanced. It is the result of two years of working on absolutely the same wavelength with a young, extremely innovative company very much at the cutting-edge of technology.
As for Mercedes-Benz, the touchscreen on its new C-Class inexplicably floats above the dashboard, as seen in the above shot. Why not just build it right into the console, like in Volvos and other vehicles?
