Are YOU Ready To Ditch Your Car Key For Your iPhone? iOS 13.4 Aims To Take This Tech MAINSTREAM...

If you've been wanting to ditch your car keys, it seems that their days are numbered. Well, at least if you have an iPhone or Apple Watch.

That's because the latest reports indicate that iOS 13.4, which does not have an official release date as of now, will have a "CarKey" API. This is known because the beta version has been shipped to developers to tinker with.

Apple is already involved with a variety of automakers in the Car Connectivity Consortium, which this is speculated to have been the result of that partnership. The goal is to move away from manufacturer-specific apps and leverage near-field communication (NFC) technology via a user's phone/watch (using the Wallet app) instead.

The cool part? You can share this ability among family and friends. Choose wisely, Spies!

Having said that, we've got to ask: Are YOU ready to ditch your keys?

Apple today released the first beta version of iOS 13.4 for developers, and now 9to5Mac has found evidence of a new feature that will make it possible to use the iPhone as a car key, and more.

iOS 13.4 contains references to a “CarKey” API, which will make it possible to use the iPhone and also the Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start a car. According to the system’s internal files, users will be able to use CarKey in NFC-compatible cars, as they only need to hold the device near the vehicle to use it as a key.

It will not be necessary to authenticate with Face ID, similar to what happens with Express Transit Cards. This also means that the feature will work even with iPhone or Apple Watch out of battery...

 

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SanJoseDriver - 2/9/2020 5:22:29 AM

+1 Boost

You can do an implementation where you can leave the phone in your pocket, which is just as convenient as keyless entry and start (Tesla does this with the Model 3 today). As an emergency backup you get a NFC credit card sized key.

jeffgall - 2/7/2020 6:51:37 AM

+6 Boost

If my phone battery dies, am I SOL?

Agent00R - 2/7/2020 1:17:24 PM

+1 Boost

I believe in this first implementation yes.

They're working on a way for phones with little to no battery to still be able to be used as a key...

MDarringer - 2/7/2020 7:56:14 AM

+2 Boost

Phone connectivity is a good convenience to have, but as Jeff said dead phone = SOL. Or what if you drive into the mountains and you stop somewhere and when you want to leave you discover that you have no service?...and "no service" zones are a thing.

pauerb - 2/7/2020 8:22:19 AM

+1 Boost

I have phone as a key that works on proximity and a key card as a back up and it works great. Enjoying not having to carry/keep track of keys.

MDarringer - 2/7/2020 8:32:28 AM

+2 Boost

Translation of what this feature really means: "I'm mindless and entitled and cannot be bothered to be aware of anything but my phone."

pauerb - 2/7/2020 4:01:40 PM

+3 Boost

For some people perhaps but for others it's simply a new way of doing something and not being afraid of change.

MDarringer - 2/9/2020 8:59:58 AM

0 Boost

Enjoy your change but don't be a whining little bitch boy when you misplace your phone, or it dies.

pauerb - 2/9/2020 9:29:56 AM

+1 Boost

That's why I have a key card in my wallet as a back up Einstein. You can lose your keys can't you? In that case you don't have a back up and have to call for mommy.

MDarringer - 2/9/2020 10:57:52 AM

+1 Boost

#IllogiocalRefutation

countguy - 2/7/2020 10:18:23 AM

+4 Boost

Nope

skytop - 2/7/2020 10:28:53 AM

+1 Boost

NO WAY. I like my car key fob

SuperCarEnthusiast - 2/7/2020 10:47:29 AM

+3 Boost

Time to buy a near new luxury car!

TomM - 2/7/2020 11:47:17 AM

+2 Boost

Ford and Nissan had a feature that allowed you to enter the car with a Combination style lock. I found this to be useful. There were several places where locking the car and being able to open it from the combination keys was useful. Frankly - the Key fobs get bigger and bigger and a single Key was so much smaller. I would prefer EYE recognition to unlock the doors to most anything else.

jeffgall - 2/7/2020 12:27:45 PM

+1 Boost

Finger print sensor on the handle would be better

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/7/2020 6:31:49 PM

+2 Boost

Nope. I don't want touch lock unlock doors either or keyless ignition or remote start. Give me a key and a normal lock. Less to go bad. Less exposed to salt etc.
A key is also much smaller than the giant fobs I see with push button start vehicles. I'll pass on OLED screens that when they fail my car is completely disabled.