What’s new in mobile devices? Apple-run cars

First the mobile phone, now the car. Having revolutionised personal communication, Apple now wants to change the way we drive.

The technology giant will this week enter the fierce race to dominate tomorrow's smart cars when it launches its first in-car operating system with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Electric cars
The breakthrough comes amid a swirl of market rumours that Apple could be eyeing a bid for electric carmaker Tesla Motors. Google and other technology companies are already working on plans to develop their own car models alongside traditional automotive manufacturers.

The deal marks the first time that Apple is embedding its software in devices other than its own branded products.

The choice of Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz is seen to be in keeping with the US tech group's high-end phones.

Central database
Cars connected to the internet and seamlessly integrated with personal communication devices are seen as the harbingers of vehicles that will drive themselves, double as mobile offices and offer "mobility solutions" for cities where all vehicles are controlled or monitored from a central database.

The official announcement of Apple's deal will be made at next week's Geneva Motor Show, insiders told the Financial Times .

A number of other manufacturers are expected to incorporate Apple’s iOS software into models this year.

Apple, Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz declined to comment.

Automakers are engaged in a fierce battle for control of car dashboards as incumbents fight with technology companies such as Microsoft and IBM to develop the software systems that will power the connected cars of tomorrow.

Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi, used his keynote speech at January's Consumer Electronics Forum, the technology industry's annual symposium, to herald a new era of "connected cars" that would see them become "the largest social mobile devices we own".

Apple maps
Drivers will be able to use Apple Maps to navigate, as well as listen to music and watch films. Calls will tie into the Siri voice recognition platform so that messages can be read to the driver who can respond by dictating a reply.

An Apple-powered car has been mooted since the launch of its updated iOS 7 software.

Cars can already play music through Apple devices but this allows the iOS software on the screen to be built into the car.

– (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2014)