Change from iPhone to Mazda, then the sound can be heard from the vehicle speaker. Functions and options: Select MAIN LIST to display stations. Make your selection. Select EPISODES, make your selection for desired content on that station. Select PRESETS to display preset station list on device. Make your selection. Use Stitcher on all your devices. Created with Sketch. Get Premium Download App.
Apple’s CarPlay enhances your driving experience by giving you access to all your essential apps in a convenient way. It helps you navigate, respond to messages, and listen to music or podcasts on-the-go. Some of the default iOS apps that are compatible with CarPlay include the Phone, Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and more. But you can add more functionality with third-party options. Take your pick from these best CarPlay Apps for iPhone.
Navigation Apps
Use the MAZDA CONNECT™ Command Knob to Select the Headphone Icon Select the Music App You Wish to Use – Spotify, Google Play Music, Etc. Use Google Assistant Voice Commands to Access Music Use the Music Shortcut Button on the Center Console to Access Music. Change from iPhone to Mazda, then the sound can be heard from the vehicle speaker. Functions and options: Select MAIN LIST to display stations. Make your selection.
1. Google Maps
Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info on your daily commutes and trips to unfamiliar places. Google Maps also helps you explore local neighborhoods and discover interesting places.
No matter what part of the world you’re in, this is the best offline map app featuring hundreds of millions of businesses and places, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and other important places.
Price: Free
2. Waze Navigation & Live Traffic
This is another navigation app that keeps you informed about everything that’s happening on the road. It alerts you about traffic, crashes, construction, police, crashes, and more.
Further, it will give you alternative routes to avoid traffic and help you find the cheapest gas station on your way. You can even listen to music and podcasts right from within the app.
Price: Free
3. TomTom GO Navigation
Here’s an app with customizable maps based on what you need and when you need it. It’s available in 150 countries and continuously updated to ensure that you always find the best route and save time, even when offline.
You can search for destinations, scenic areas, tourist attractions, and more, so it’s a good travel app too. One exciting aspect is Moving Lane Guidance that lets you know what lane is yours for junctions and exits.
Price: Free (1-Month Subscription – $1.99)
![]() Audio Entertainment Apps4. Spotify
If you love music, then you’ve got to have Spotify to keep you entertained while you’re on the road. This music streaming app curates custom playlists based on your preferences to make sure you always have something to tune into.
Further, there are curated playlists for every kind of mood and thousands of podcasts to keep up with your interests. Many are originals that are not available on any other platform.
Price: Free (Spotify Premium starts from $3.99)
5. Audible
Reading has never been easier, thanks to audiobooks. Get audible to take your mind on journeys of its own as you navigate to your destination. Besides a plethora of bestselling novels and non-fiction from around the world, it also offers Original books for your listening pleasure.
Further, you can binge on podcasts too. When you subscribe, you get one monthly credit to get any book you want that stays in your library forever. Add this to your arsenal of CarPlay apps and expand your mind.
Price: Free (US Premium Plus Monthly – $15.99 per month)
6. iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts
Check out another one-stop solution to all your in-car audio entertainment needs. It offers thousands of live radio stations, podcasts, and unlimited music playlists that match your moods and activities.
It’s packed full of useful features such as Favourites and Your Weekly Mixtape, making it easy to discover new sounds that you’ll love. You can even create personalized stations based on your favorite artists using the library of millions of songs from varied genres.
Price: Free (iHeartRadio Plus – $5.99)
7. Overcast
Are you a podcast lover? Then here’s a must-have CarPlay app for you that’s got everything you need without any unnecessary features or fuss. The simple, intuitive UI makes it a breeze to listen to what you want whenever you want.
Other features of this leading podcast app include Smart Speed that saves time without distorting the audio or sounding unnatural, and Voice Boost, which makes every episode the same volume with a broadcast-quality remastering engine.
Price: Free (Overcast Premium – $9.99)
8. TuneIn Radio
Check out this radio app for the world’s most extensive library of live, original, and on-demand audio in this radio app for CarPlay. Enjoy everything from breaking news and live sports to exclusive music and podcasts from around the world.
No need to worry about picking the next thing to listen to as it boasts a range of stations curated by renowned influencers, DJs, and iconic personalities. A premium subscription will give you access to even more exclusive content such as the English Premier League, NHL, and ad-free entertainment.
Price: Free (TuneIn Premium starts from $4.99)
Communication Apps9. WhatsApp
While CarPlay already gives you access to the default iOS Messages app, it also supports WhatsApp to help you stay even more connected on-the-go. Send and receive texts, voice messages, photos, and videos through a network connection.
You can even make audio or video calls, all for absolutely free. It is one of the most popular ways to communicate with others globally, so it is a must-have for your CarPlay experience.
Price: Free
10. Zoom Cloud Meetings
Stay in the loop with this video conferencing app that’s taken the world by storm. While incredibly useful for work and professional needs, it’s equally helpful for meeting with friends and family online.
It has a safe driving mode to help you talk while focusing on the road. Further, you can use -Siri Shortcuts to customize your voice commands to start, join, and listen to a list of your upcoming meetings.
Price: Free
Summing Up
We hope this roundup of some of the best CarPlay apps for your iPhone will elevate your driving experience and add more convenience to your life. Let us know your favorites in the comments below.
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I have been writing about tech for over 10 years now. I am passionate about helping people solve their tech problems with easy and practical solutions. At iGeeksBlog, I write and edit how-to guides and accessory reviews for all things Apple. My work has previously appeared in Live IT and Woman’s Era magazines. When not working, I love reading and traveling.
If You Had to Pick: Pandora, Spotify, or Apple Music
My apps spotify. If You Had to Pick: Pandora, Spotify, or Apple Music
Pandora App embedded in Toyota and Mazda cars won’t connect after July 31, 2017. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
THE drivers of Australia’s two biggest car brands — Toyota and Mazda — have a button in their car that’s about to become obsolete.
The axing of the Pandora music streaming service in Australia from the end of this month will affect more than 1 million drivers with the app embedded in their car’s audio system.
Mazda introduced Pandora in 2014 and has gradually rolled it out to its entire passenger car range since.
“Mazda, like many, was disappointed to hear of the unexpected withdrawal of Pandora from the Australian market. Given its sudden closure, in time the Pandora function is expected to be removed from the MZD Connect menu (on future models),” said Mazda spokesman Tony Mee.
Meanwhile Toyota introduced Pandora to selected models in 2015 and currently has it available across its entire model range (see table below).
The Pandora App will draw a blank from the end of this month. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
It means the “Pandora” icon on the touchscreen in the Toyota and the toggle screen in the Mazda will still attempt to link to the music streaming service — if the icon is pressed — but it will get dead air after July 31.
In the case of Ford, the Pandora icon appears in the latest version of its “SYNC3” touchscreen. However the company says if owners delete the app on their phone it won’t appear on the touchscreen.
This is true of any car equipped with Apple Car Play or Android Auto that also linked to Pandora.
Holden was one of the first to introduce Pandora, in 2013, on the Barina and started working its way across the range as new models arrived, including Trax, Cruze, Malibu, Commodore, the previous model Astra, the Cascada convertible and pre facelift versions of the Colorado.
However, Holden has since switched to Apple Car Play and Android Auto and dropped Pandora from its touchscreens.
The Pandora App will begin to disappear from future Toyota and Mazda cars. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
Holden says the only car in currently in its showrooms with the Pandora app embedded into the touchscreen is the locally made Commodore, which is due to go out of production in October.
Pandora was a US-based app that enabled motorists to choose their own music ‘channels’ -- from a selection of millions of songs — that tailored music to their tastes.
When not in Wi-Fi range it uses mobile data to stream music, which is believed to be one of the inhibiting factors in Australia — because no telcos offer affordable unlimited data plans as they do in the US.
Without enough subscribers the service proved unprofitable in Australia. The last Pandora transmissions end on July 31.
Pandora claimed to have more than 1.2 million users in Australia (compared with 80 million worldwide) but its growth didn’t match Spotify which dominates the Australian streaming market.
Toyotas with Pandora (future models will have the icon deleted):
Yaris ZR
Prius C
Corolla
Prius
Mazda Spotify App Download
Prius V
Camry
Aurion Save from spotify free.
86
C-HR
RAV4
Fortuner
Kluger
Prado
LC200
HiAce
HiLux
Mazda Spotify App Subscription
This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling
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