Apple's CarPlay initiative improves in-car iPhone integration

Apple today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay which integrates iPhone into vehicles. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch.

Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri without distraction.

Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp. 

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Giftagram delivers just in time for Valentine's

 

By Sonya Davidson

If you haven’t thought about Valentine’s Day yet don’t panic. You still have time! But here’s an app that may help your gifting needs. Giftagram is a Toronto-based site and mobile app that offers an easier way to get your gifting needs done at the touch of your screen.

It has an impressive roster of gift items from designers and retailers that are current and not always your average go-to ideas for those who are hard to buy for.

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Apple reportedly creating service for mobile payments

A new report from the Wall Street Journal claims that Apple is hoping to penetrate the mobile payment arena to help customers who use their credit cards to pay for items on iTunes. Jennifer Bailey, an Apple executive that works on the company’s online stores, is supposedly developing the service at the moment. Meanwhile, iTunes and App Store head Eddy Cue and a “key lieutenant” of CEO Tim Cook are meeting with industry executives to discuss this possible new venture. How this will affect the existing mobile payment industry or compete against the other services is yet to be seen.

Apple iTunes update adds local Wish List view, more language support

Apple releases a minor update for iTunes that allows you to view your iTunes Store Wish List in your local library. Apple also included language support for Arabic and Hebrew in the 11.1.4 update. There are also the usual stability improvements and bug fixes thrown into the mix.

Source: Apple Insider