Apple CarPlay Tested

Siri might be considered a casual acquaintance, but nothing tests a relationship like a 2000-mile drive with Apple CarPlay.

And after driving from Melbourne to Brisbane with Siri as an assistant, it seems like CarPlay doesn't quite measure up to Mae West's test yet. When it's good, it's very, very good. But when it's bad, well, it's just bad.

Tech analyst Gartner predicts there will be 250 million internet-connected cars on the road in the next five years, with Apple and Google taking their traditional battle to the dashboard with CarPlay and Android Auto.

Some automakers have committed to supplying their vehicles with Apple's CarPlay (BMW, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota), some with Android Auto (Honda, Audi, Jeep and Nissan), and some with both.

You catch yourself talking to your car in a loud, clear voice, saying "Hey Siri, I need gas," or listening to Siri read your text messages.

So while your next new car might be equipped with a plug-and-play smartphone system, in the meantime you can try CarPlay with a device like the Pioneer AVIC-F60DAB.

The device has two home screens. One of them is Pioneer's display, which gives you access to its navigation system, FM and digital radio, and has inputs for two rearview cameras.

The other is Apple CarPlay, which shows a limited number of apps that currently make up Apple's car display.

Although you can connect your phone to a Pioneer device using Bluetooth, to use CarPlay you need to connect your phone to a USB port that can be installed in the glove box or console.

What does CarPlay offer that other in-car devices don't? Siri is kind of the answer. This means that you can control your phone with voice control and not just answer calls.

With CarPlay, you'll find yourself talking to your car in a loud, clear voice, saying "Hey Siri, I need gas" or listening to Siri read your text messages.

In order for Siri to get you from point A to point B, you need to use Apple Maps. This is convenient because you can search for your destination before you even get in the car.

The downside is that Apple Maps, while vastly improved, isn't perfect. In Canberra, he was supposed to direct us to a specific bike rental, but instead directed us to an apparently random location on the Australian National University campus.

But all GPS navigation systems have problems. Google maps also confused us when looking for a windshield replacement company, and the Pioneer navigation system at one point was unable to find the highway.

CarPlay doesn't shorten long trips, but it can make them easier in a way.

Your iPhone and CarPlay work as connected screens. When CarPlay shows a route on the map, the app on your iPhone shows you turn-by-turn directions.

Siri is good at answering direct questions.

We used it to find the nearest gas station and Thai restaurant, all without having to take our hands off the wheel. When Siri does something, maybe we shouldn't shoot Messenger, but think about the information she's reading. Four hours after leaving Melbourne, we asked Siri for the nearest Maccas. Siri suggested a location in Melbourne that was markedly different from the upcoming giant billboard promising the Golden Arches in 10 minutes.

CarPlay doesn't shorten long trips, but it can make them easier in a way.

And instead of someone asking you if you're here, with Siri, you're asking questions hands-free.