The number of CarPlay compatible third-party applications is up to 10 now (including Apple's own Podcasts app). Umano is the latest app to join the CarPlay family. It is a free narrated news application with an optional paid subscription.
More info about Umano and some CarPlay screenshots are below the break...
Just last week I wrote about how Apple will need to approve more third-party apps for CarPlay. The number has grown to double digits very slowly but with Android Auto on the horizon more apps may soon become available.
CarPlay restricts applications and services to use a fixed layout which Apple deems to be safe for use while driving. So does Android Auto. The app approval process is believed to be quite tedious.
A little more about Umano. Umano allows users to listen to news articles from around the web, including blog posts, narrated by professionals. The service is free to use but a premium subscription is also available at $3.99 a month.
The CarPlay interface won't allow you to choose news topics or see playlists. All that has to be done on the iPhone application before hooking up to CarPlay. You can create your own playlist of news articles to listen to and then play them in the car.
Some other key features of the service are below (from App Store description)...
Key features:
- Your daily headline news and thousands of articles narrated by REAL people
- Enjoy a wide selection of articles from Technology to Lifestyle
- Simple and intuitive design. Ideal for using while on-the-go.
- Build your own playlist or let Umano create one for you based on your interest or time available.
- Download capabilities for offline listening.
- See what your friends are listening to and share articles with friends via Email, SMS, Twitter or Facebook. Friends can listen, even if they don't have Umano!
- Slick car mode designed for a perfect in-car experience.
Link to download: Umano version 5.0.2 (CarPlay compatible)
Umano Screenshots
Can we get some better apps like Youtube or even some of the apps already compatible with app radio mode ugh almost 500 spent on Nex 4000 and i only use maybe 5 of the 10 apps offered. meanwhile android gets things like ARunchained and ARliberator and screen mirroring for Iphone is damn near impossible outside of using airplay WTH.
ReplyDeleteYou're never going to get YouTube, The whole point is to minimize the distraction to the driver, so any app that plays video will never be supported by CarPlay.
ReplyDelete