Apple system

I have ordered it, but don't have any experience with it, as my car is not here yet. That said, my reasoning is the future of personal music is not disc, but digital. The ability to have your song lists travel with you on your phone/iPod/cloud/whatever comes next, fits with CarPlay better than the optional disc player.

 

Not ordered on a spec I recently completed for a family member. Biggest issue was that you had to plug the phone into the system each time as most if not all features do not work through Bluetooth. Maybe something for the future but right now it appeared to us to be an expensive gimmick.

 

Same here. I ticked that option but have yet to see if it's worth the cost. I thought hard about whether I really needed it as I'm sure the standard unit has a reasonable sat nav and can stream music via bluetooth. I reasoned however, that it would mean I'm more able to keep up with software developments via Apple upgrades than I would with the car's unit. Sat nav maps with Apple should be current rather than ultimately 2, 3 or more years out of date. As more apps are developed for CarPlay then it hopefully will get even better. Whilst the phone has to be plugged in at present hopefully bluetooth connectivity will be coming. That said, I'll wait and see how much use from it I actually get. Better not upgrade my phone to Samsung!

 

I have it, it's awesome. And I believe future updates allow for wireless CarPlay as well... In fact I believe iOS 8.3 already enabled that. I have to see if Ferrari has to do something on my Cali T to enable it. Highly recommended option from my perspective. TBH, I don't mind the native infotainment either, though. It's "good enough" for me. But I really do love Apple products and iOS so I waited to build my Cali T until CarPlay was available. Glad I did!

 

the next update should enable all features via Bluetooth. CarPlay as installed is upgradeable (sort of like updating an app) via the device.

the "standard" SatNav/infotainment is pretty good as-is; frankly I think it gets a bit over-abused. Carplay makes a few things a lot better, especially if you're comfortable using iOS. Little things like autoloading addresses from meetings or emails into the Maps function; the VR system in current gen Ferraris is actually really good; however it has limited functions; Siri continues to be able to support more requests beyond Nav/Radio/Phone, etc.

Downsides? In a Ferrari, it's way overpriced. Still not enough apps developed to be Carplay compatible. If you end up with an Android device, you're probably screwed....

Risks? Hoping Apple continues development so Carplay does not become a digital equivalent of a cassette player and devices can use the interface for 10+ years.

I took an extended test drive in a Cali and and FF with Carplay - and literally it was primarily to test Carplay. Also, I tend to "plug my phone in" when in the car anyway to charge it, so the streaming is interesting, but charging is relevant.

 

I'm really happy with CarPlay, even if no other apps appear. It's truly useful, and fun to use.

 

^agree with Entropy and Udaverea... very happy with the decision! And it'll only get better... you pay up front for future development. It appears Apple has been very aggressive about partnering up with auto makers so I think it should be around for quite some time.

 

Actually its a very good system, I also have BMW's and although it has apps also, specially Pandora, emails & SMS, the touch screen on the Cali is what makes it.

Easy to use, and it will improve as the IOS is Apple directly on you touch screen, the cable connection and not wireless connection is the only drawback and I don't think the Cali Info Centre is capable hardware wise anyway for wireless (missing the wireless chip), so it won't be a software upgrade. Think the next generation Cali will have wireless built in.

But as it stands its pretty good, Ferrari has the jump on a lot of car makers as they will not be releasing Carplay until the end or early next year.

 

The 2013 FF was first to support bluetooth streaming; the F12, Speciale and CaliT all support it for MUSIC, not yet for Carplay but (as noted above) it's imminent and should be easily if not automatically updatable. I'd be surprised if it required a dealer performed INT update based on the architecture of Carplay.

 

Think you will find that Apple Carplay is Wireless not Bluetooth activated. The info centre in the Cali most likely won't have (pretty sure the Cali is not WiFi capable as there are currently no car radio systems that are, only Bluetooth) the hardware to support wireless, I believe the high end Alpine aftermarket system is hardware wireless ready but needs a software upgrade to activate it. This is why the other car companies have not implements it yet.

I have been viewing a few other forums and the above is their view on wireless Carplay. Think you will be stuck with cable connected Carplay until the next generation of the Info Centre in the Cali will be installed.

What could be done is a wireless ready USB stick (with built-in drivers) which you could plug into the car USB socket and your iPhone connects to that wirelessly!!!!!!!!!, there a invention for someone? just give me 5% on the profits thanks?

 

Check out MotoMan on YouTube, Cali T CarPlay review.

 

Actually my 2012 FF had Bluetooth streaming, although it was a late 2012.

I'd like to find a Carplay user manual though as I just ordered a Cali T, July build, already getting excited! I'll sell my '12 Cali this summer.

 

Ha good luck Rick. None was included with my car. Basically plug in to the specific CarPlay USB port, hit the CarPlay button, and off you go!

 

You are correct and I stand corrected, Carplay wireless will be 802.11xx for the actual Carplay functions.

 

If CarPlay is wireless in 802.11, how will that work with the three manufacturers currently using it?

 

Embedding an 802.11 "in-car hotspot" is pretty easy (i.e. the Pioneer, Alpine, et al can embed 802.11 into their units - some already have). I'd need to look into the regulatory (eg. FCC) or other reasons why it is (or is not) usable. Many manufacturers offer in-car hotspots are options already.

Or, to the other post, is the current unit being shipped in the Cali and FF already wifi enabled but not unlocked (which could require a dealer-based INT software update). Carplay architecture updates the Carplay software via the device and runs the apps off the device; Carplay is just an emulator/interface.

In that case, you'd need your iPhone to be on WiFi to use the "wireless" connectivity. As I noted, "charging" is key to me, and WiFi usage kills the phone battery, so I anticipate that even with wireless connectivity, people will end up tethered just to get/keep a charge.

Today, Bluetooth is used for streaming media, but apparently insufficient bandwidth for the Carplay functionality according to what I've read. (and Robertus pointed out).

Harman makes the systems for most FCA platforms (including Ferrari) and they already offer embedded 802.11, so I'm sort of hoping they thought ahead. If not, I'll live with the cable.

 

If you can somehow find the FCC ID number for the CarPlay headunit in the FF/California T it's easy to find out if it has integrated WiFi that's been FCC certified for use.

 

I believe it's this: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=501665&fcc_id=QNG-BE2810

If that's indeed the unit in the California T with CarPlay (Harman VP4-GT) then it looks like there's 2.4GHz 802.11b/g support. Not a ton of bandwidth but given that the display runs at what looks like 800x480, I suspect we're talking about a fairly low bandwidth stream as well.

If this is what we're dealing with then it's just up to Ferrari to enable WiFi support in software.

 

Why is this an "option"? You mean you have to pay for it? That sucks. How much is it?

I thought apple play was going to be standard in the new cars. Another Ferrari/ apple rip off? You can get an entire Pioneer 2 DIN deck with apple play for $700 TOTAL!!!!

I thought the days of them charging $3000 or a $5 dollar Apple connector were over.
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Wireless Carplay will take time to be introduced, one reason will be security (why do you think the head security programming just left Apple and has gone to Tesla Cars).

Buying a Alpine Carplay ready radio is fine as it not connected to the car internals like current modern cars are which have two way communications with your phone.

Not to mention any other wireless hackers that might be trying hack into your cars system while your pulled up at the lights, your car also has a built-in GPS, its own cellular sim system for communications and more?

I can already find my BMW up to 1.5klm away with my iPhone, view where it is via google maps, also with my phone open & lock the doors, flash the lights, lower the windows for ventilation etc and be nowhere near the car. Loose your phone, loose your car?

 

Just took delivery of my cali T and love the carplay option. I highly recommend it if you are an apple user.

 

+1

 

I understand Apple play is standard on the 2016
Mind is on order now, maybe get before the holidays

 

You have a 2016 on order? If so, what is your allocation month?