A small independant developer named Steven Troughton-Smith is making the rounds today with a leaked video on Youtube, revealing a Mac-based emulator running Apple iOS 7.0.3. With the recent news of Android and the Open Alliance set by Google, the remaining manufacturers partnered with Apple seem to have a huge choice ahead.
The notes in the video expound on the integration further, and while we imagine it’s nowhere near a production ready system, this hacked version definitely flexs it’s muscle.
- Supports Multiple Resolutions
- Supports touchscreens (presumably single-touch?), hardware buttons, wheels and touchpads
- Does not support multitasking – car display will always show same current on-screen app as iPhone (which can be locked/asleep)
- Whitelisted to specific Apple apps – no public API for developers [yet?]
- Has no keyboard UI – voice recognition as input
- UI clearly subject to change
- Missing functionality in video is due to iOS Simulator not containing all the stock iOS apps
The video goes on to detail exactly what this “integration” means in a loose sense, as it’s more of a information relay as opposed to a true standalone iOS. Appropriate formatting and display of critical information seems to be it’s key delivering point, but it does appear as though this preliminary version requires tethering to an existing iOS device.
Beyond the software layer however, it’s certainly interesting to think about all the possible avenues of incorporation from the hardware point of view. For example buttons on steering wheels, touch screens or specific iOS inputs could certainly flesh out what seems to be a skeleton of the Apple iOS.
Troughton-Smith elaborates on this point further in his notes section of his Youtube video, saying that the Apple iOS in the car supports multiple resolutions for external displays, giving car and sound geeks the ultimate in customization. Not limited to just resolution, the in Car feature also supports touch input and hardware controls, and voice input.
Yes the videos only show what the iOS can do with it’s Maps app and different features of the iOS functionality, however the third-parts developers are truly who should be salivating at this prospect. With Google’s Android coming in the latter stages of 2014, it only figures that Apple is not far behind.
Not everything is as easy as it seems however, and our initial reactions to the lack of keyboard and voice only input will make it doubly difficult for law enforcement officials to enforce the ‘texting’ or ‘speaking on phone’ laws in existence. Apple’s head start in the voice recognition may factor into who wins this upcoming battle of automotive operating systems.
And while this may seem like a trivial leak, but with the looming Open Alliance with arch rival Google, Apple needs the iOS to be a success in their auto program.
Nonetheless it’s an exciting time to be an auto enthusiast, as these large corporate entities are working to not only improve but redefine the experience between driver and car.
Who do you think will win this upcoming battle? Who is your favorite? Which OS would you prefer?
Comment below, let us know!
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