Brief (selected) tech update
Apple has announced its third Impact Accelerator class: a cohort of 12 Black-, Hispanic/Latinx-, and Indigenous-owned environmental solution and service providers on the cutting edge of green technology and clean energy. Established to help mature, diverse businesses scale their impact and reach the next stage of development, the Apple Impact Accelerator program is part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, a global effort to expand equity and opportunity for Black and Brown communities. (Read more HERE)
CarPlay sets the stage for big software improvements in vehicles.
CarPlay sits on top of your car’s standard infotainment system, and enables you to access a small selection of apps. You can jump into Music, Messages, Phone, and Maps, just to name a few. By opening these straight on your car’s display, it eliminates any temptation to touch your phone while driving. As you’d expect, you can also take calls, reply to messages, and use Siri via CarPlay.
Apple is revamping the dashboard with its custom-designed speedometers, dials, petrol gauges, and range indicators. You’ll also be able to put widgets on the dashboard, such as the weather, or opt for traditional driver stats. On longer dashboards, Apple will let you add additional widgets, see more in-depth trip info, and control your music. With all that extra screen real estate, you might as well take advantage of it all!
Most notably, since the revamped CarPlay replaces the entire car’s software, you can control the car through it. You’ll be able to adjust the climate, switch on the heated seats, play the FM radio, and more – just like you’d expect from the standard software in a car. The best part? It’s all still within CarPlay, so you don’t have to exit the interface, and Apple’s design carries forward. Apple wants to create a more familiar experience in the car with the new CarPlay, reminding you of your phone.
Automakers supporting these changes include Ford, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Jaguar, Land Rover, Audi, Nissan, Volvo, Porsche, Polestar, and mentioned that more would be added. (per stuff.tv)
MATTER matters! What?? Well, late last month, a new standard (to apply to smart home devices) was announced by Google, Amazon, and Apple. As this standard takes hold it is expected that all smart home devices bearing this seal will work together. Let’s keep our eyes peeled!
Some of this blog is compliments of https://www.stuff.tv/
Guess that’s it for now!
Paul