Volkswagen, in an attempt to ride the success of Apple's smartphone, unveiled an iPhone-integrated version of the standard 2013 Beetle at the Shanghai auto show.
The iBeetle is a real production car, not a concept car, which will be launched early next year as a separate model with its own distinctive wheels and some other cues, USA Today reports. "But the main difference is a phone dock atop the dashboard that allows integration of the phone's functions and many apps -- including some car apps developed specifically for this model in cooperation with Apple for things such as extra instrumentation," the paper writes.
Connecting an iPhone into the docking station of the car will let the users take advantages of those various features of the smartphone. In addition, iBeetle users will be able to use the iPhone to navigate, to make hands-free calls, listen to music, and more.
An iPhone can be connected to the iBeetle either with a docking station or wirelessly. "Users can play tunes through Spotify and iTunes, have Facebook and iPhone message read aloud through the car's speakers, share their location as a digital postcard, and share photos taken within the car to social networks. The app also gives the option to display vital stats of the Beetle, including a G-meter measuring lateral acceleration, oil and coolant temperature gauges for the engine, a chronometer, and a compass," Apple Insider writes.
The application also provides users with the ability to compare different routes when it comes to fuel use, total distance and time.
