The Apple iPhone 5 is expected to be unveiled on 12 September. But with iPod integration fitted as standard in many cars (and as an option in many more), what does it mean for motorists? We’ve rounded up five rumours, and discussed the impacts each will have on drivers:
This is where the iPhone 5 poses the biggest problem for motorists and carmakers. Apple is ditching its 30-pin dock connector in favour of a smaller 9-pin design, which will make any existing cables incompatible, and cause havoc for motorists wanting to charge their phone in the car, or listen to music through a factory-fitted system. You’ll no doubt be able to buy a £10 lead to convert the old connection to a new one, but this’ll be messy.
To bring Apple’s smartphone into line with larger Android devices, the iPhone 5 will include a four-inch screen instead of the 3.5-inch display of the current 4S. This is good news for motorists – it’ll make it easier to see the screen when you’re driving, so your phone can rival a sat-nav. Not only is the screen bigger, but the device is slightly taller than the iPhone 4S, and it’s thinner as well. This will be a concern if you bought an iPhone specific case or phone holder for your car, but shouldn’t prove too much of a problem.
The 3.5mm socket where you plug in wired hands-free kits and auxiliary cables will be on the bottom of the iPhone 5, not on the top as it has been in previous Apple smartphones. This isn’t a big deal, but will mean that if you use a dash or screen-mounted phone holder, your cabin should look a bit less cluttered, as the cables won’t have to plug into the top.
iOS 6 will add a few features to the new iPhone which should benefit motorists. For a start, Apple has switched from supplying the phone with Google Maps as standard to its own maps. The advantage of this is that it now comes with turn-by-turn navigation out of the box, whereas previously you needed to download a sat-nav app. There’s also likely to be the next generation of Siri – Apple’s voice-control. This will make hands-free calling very easy to do, and you can have text messages read aloud in the car too.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we’re expecting to see a pretty awesome camera, as well as the inclusion of Near Field Communications (NFC) to bring the iPhone 5 into line with rival smartphones. The camera will benefit drivers who use apps to record their journey, while NFC will make it easier to pair with devices such as hands-free earpieces.
Disqus - noscript
Why will the connector be a problem? Correct me if i am wrong but most cars come with a USB socket not an ipod socket. This means the USB lead that comes with the phone will plug straight in to the existing.
Sources today are also stating that it won't come with NFC. A big miss.
The screen, by today's standards, is also still tiny. Not much use for Sat Nav compared to the top end Android phones.
Also where was the Android update 4.0/4.1 for cars?? It comes with a very handy driving mode which already does all you mention for the iPhoney (wonder how long till Apple claim they invented that too!) and firms like HTC, Motorola etc supply a driving panel app which is much more relevant to your field of expertise. Don't forget Android has nearly 4 times the market share of Apple in the UK so it too requires a special piece surely, or are you all Apple fan boys as well as VW lovers.
lol another android geek :) VW best make Apple Best make. :) no doubt! :)
I LOVE how droids have the urge to always jump at dissing Apple! funny, and sad... Just chill, your phone isn't THAT bad that you have to feel the need to down any apple news.
more iCrap from Apple. No doubt the mindless sheep will flock to throw their money down the drain for this piece of last gen phone tech with a fruit symbol on the back. Let's be honest here, the iPhone is a phone for stupid people who know nothing about technology. Basic functions like tethering and copy & paste are absent, but then again, why make it too complicated for the low-life chavs who will buy it.
To the people who rated me down... The truth hurts don't it lol ;)
you CAN tether, you CAN copy and you CAN paste with an iPhone. This is the silliest post I've ever read.
you are so stupid I actually feel sorry for those who encounter you...
This is not an article,it's an advertisement. Shame on you AUTOexpress. $$$$$$$$$$$$
I have an Android, like loads of others, so where's my article for Android 4.0 or 4.1?
It's a bit like only writing articles for BMW and not Mercedes Benz...
Another case of Apple fan boys having nothing decent to say about the tech they are holding and probably don't even know what NFC is. As long as they can be perceived as cool they are happy even though every chav on the street corner has one now eh ;)
My phone (GS3) has everything an iphony has plus a hell of a lot more so if my phone is 'worse' I'm quite happy about that :)
I should add, I do like the design of the phone it does like nice and if like the 4S i'm sure it will feel a quality product but they have fallen behind by a long way now with regards software and hardware. And yes Dominic I am a geek and couldn't careless and yes that is the reason I don't like the Apple eco system it is too dumbed down and restrictive, its only suitable for people over 50 and those in less taxing jobs.
Funny how I see stacks of VW's broken down on the M4!
You see them too? Should have a word with my mate who's Golf has been terrible. Ask him what he thinks of VW Turbos.
"to bring in line with android" says it all really!