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The Abarth 595 line-up has been upgraded for the 2018 model year, bringing an upgraded infotainment display and smartphone mirroring technology. UPDATE, 21/9/18: The Fiat 500 has added the 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the range...
Among all the shiny things included in Apple's latest iPhone software update is an exciting development for CarPlay users – finally, you can use Google Maps through your car's touchscreen. Huzzah! UPDATE: Waze is coming, but it's not available right now. Apologies for the error...
This week Mandy Turner and Trent Nikolic are recording from Tasmania at the CarAdvice event where five readers got the chance to experience being a motoring journalist for a day in the 2019 Mazda CX-9. In car news, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC has been revealed, Apple has reported its first self-driving crash, the Ford Endura ST-Line has been confirmed for Australia, and the Lexus UX will be launching without Apple CarPlay Down Under...
Mazda Australia has detailed the revised CX-9 range, headlined by the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time, along with a new range-topping variant. Kicking off at $44,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Sport with front-wheel drive (+$1100), the range is now fitted as standard with the full suite of Mazda's i-Activesense driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control with stop&go function, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam...
Mini Australia has become the first manufacturer to offer wireless Apple CarPlay as standard in Australia, with the launch of the updated 2018 'LCI' Hatch and Convertible ranges. Fitted from the base Cooper grade, the Mini Connected Services package includes various wireless and connected functions for the vehicle's infotainment system, including integration for wireless Apple CarPlay – which debuted over at parent company BMW, though it remains a cost option on all cars equipped with iDrive 6...
Manufacturers are pouring countless hours (and dollars) into developing more advanced infotainment systems, as they race for technology leadership. While they're feature-packed and (sometimes) look very pretty, a study from the North American AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are less distracting in day-to-day driving...
It’s been a long time coming, but Mazda will finally offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its range by the end of the year and there’s good news in store for current owners. Unlike a lot of manufacturers that won’t retrofit new technology to existing products, Mazda will offer customers the ability to retrofit the smartphone mirroring technology to all vehicles equipped with MZD Connect...
Subaru of America has detailed the upgraded 2019 WRX and WRX STI range for the USA, bringing new safety kit and infotainment to the sports sedan line-up. In addition to the limited-edition Series.Gray specials revealed earlier this week, the WRX now comes as standard in North America with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist system when equipped with the CVT – meaning autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist are now included...
With the launch of iOS 12, the operating system behind the iPhone later this year, Apple users will soon be able to use Google Maps and other third-party navigation apps via the infotainment system of compatible cars. The announcement was made as part of today's keynote speech at Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Diego, California...
Mazda has begun its rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, announcing the features will be added to the North American 6 sedan during their summer. At this point, the feature is reserved for the facelifted Mazda 6 in North America, but it's not likely to be long before the technology makes its way to Australia...
Australian pricing and specs for the revised 2018 Maserati GranCabrio have been announced, with the V8 Italian drop-top to kick off from $335,000 before on-road costs. The car will be offered in two trim levels: Sport (below in blue) and MC, or Maserati Corse (above). Both are powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine, making 343kW and 520Nm...
BMW Australia is considering a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay, potentially following in the footsteps of its American counterpart. Speaking to CarAdvice at the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour, Lenore Fletcher, local communications boss for BMW, said the company was in discussions about making customers – who currently pay upfront to have CarPlay fitted – make yearly payments to use the service...
While Mazda leads the game in Australia on many fronts, it falls short in the field of basic smartphone technology and connectivity. Speaking to media at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show, president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations, Masahiro Moro said technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is on the way...
Nissan Australia has confirmed it is working to bring Apple CarPlay compatibility to its range, but it's yet to provide a concrete time-frame – nor a definitive model – for the smartphone-mirroring technology's local debut. Speaking with CarAdvice at the local launch of the updated Qashqai SUV (stay tuned for the review on Friday), the new local Nissan boss, Stephen Lester, said Apple CarPlay will become the norm in the range "very soon"...
The upgraded 2018 Fiat 500X has been revealed for the US market, with an Australian launch confirmed for sometime in the first quarter of next year. As is often the case with Fiat's 500-badged models, the retro styling of the 500X shows only subtle changes for the new model year. Indeed, tweaks on the outside are limited to new colours: Donatello Bronze (bottom) and Alpi Matte Green (top)...
A new Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is coming to Apple iPhone devices from around the third quarter of this year. When Do Not Disturb While Driving mode is enabled, the phone can block incoming messages and also automatically reply with something like: "I'm driving with Do Not Disturb on. I'll respond when I get to where I'm going...
Mini has announced a number of range-wide updates this week for July production, including the addition of Apple CarPlay mirroring, along with a new driver's cluster and head-up display. All models in the line-up - which includes the Hatch, Clubman wagon and Countryman SUV - will get a new cockpit instrument layout with an additional "night" design and a revised fuel level display...
The special-edition 2017 Fiat 500 Mirror has been revealed in Europe with the latest smartphone connectivity, but it appears buyers in Australia are set to miss out. The new Fiat 500 Mirror model is named after its smartphone mirroring tech, with the media system including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - two in-demand items from consumers, particularly in the city car segment of the market...
Kia Australia has quietly introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring software across most of its range, while also hinting at mid-life 'upgrades' for the Carnival MPV, Optima sedan and Sorento SUV...
Mazda's US arm has confirmed it will add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to its line-up, though timing is still to be confirmed. Speaking to Cars.com at the US launch of the new CX-5, a spokesperson for the company said it is planning to introduce the smartphone mirroring technology, though didn't say which vehicle will debut the feature...
