As we feel Apple’s interested in entering the automobile industry, new reports strengthen this anticipation as Apple seemed planning for a smart key service with BMW. Reported by 9to5Mac, few developers found snippets of code relating to Apple’s smart digital key, probably be named as CarKey will be presented in future BMW cars. This will help drivers unlock and start the car without a need for the physical key fob.
Reports reveal that Apple’s new feature as CarKey, a virtual key that enables users to unlock their cars without nearing the phone to handle may come soon. This was discovered in the code snippets of iOS v13.4, and developers believe this could be announced soon, probably in iOS v14. Moreover, the first car that may feature this would likely be BMW! The German carmaker is found relevant to Apple’s plan.
A group-made possibility!
The players, Apple and BMW are part of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), which is a group dedicated to inventing technologies that seamlessly connect device-to-vehicle features. The group has released a tool named Digital Key Release 1 and 2 in past, both based by NFC to wirelessly contact the car and unlock it. So being members of this group, and considering the past relationship between Apple and BMW, it’s fair to expect BMW may feature this new Apple’s development.
This was even strengthened when reporters wished for comment from BMW, which formally declined and turned them to an announcement back in December last year. Where the carmaker said “Providing customers with simple, connected and “keyless” access to their vehicles has been a key area of innovation.” Further, Apple’s new CarKey may leverage Bluetooth Low Energy and Ultra-wideband tech for being more sophisticated.
Though BMW is already having one such technology as CarPlay, which is also destined to unlock the car wirelessly, it would be more interactive if integrated with Apple. Apple’s been long filing several patents for such inventions, may the Cupertino firm enter this industry soon with sky-high possibilities and prices soon.
Source: 9to5Mac
