Arms-on: CarPlay in iOS 17 provides SharePlay for Apple Music listening events, even for distant associates

One of many huge modifications in iOS 17 for CarPlay customers is the addition of SharePlay help for Apple Music. This function permits anybody within the automobile to manage and contribute to what’s enjoying through Apple Music, as a substitute of only one particular person.

I used SharePlay for Apple Music in iOS 17 for a current drive. My takeaway? This can be a really enjoyable function.

Beginning a SharePlay session in CarPlay is simple. On the Apple Music Now playback display screen, there is a new SharePlay icon within the top-right nook. Clicking this can convey up a QR code that different individuals can scan. When you scan this QR code, you’ll obtain a pop-up telling you that somebody desires to affix your SharePlay session.

When you settle for this request, the opposite particular person is ready to management what performs by means of Apple Music. Curiously, this works even when that different particular person would not have an Apple Music subscription themselves.

I examined this with Zac, who was simply capable of scan a CarPlay-generated QR code and be a part of a SharePlay session in my automobile. It might add songs to your Apple Music queue, see what’s at present enjoying, and play or pause content material.

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Kicker? Zack wasn’t within the automobile with me. He was at house in Mississippi, and I used to be driving round city in Texas. This, in fact, will not be the supposed use case for CarPlay for SharePlay. Apple desires you to make use of it to let others within the automobile with you select songs to play.

Nonetheless, with the ability to maintain distant SharePlay listening events utilizing CarPlay can be plenty of enjoyable. I really like the concept of ​​with the ability to drive and have a listening celebration with another person through CarPlay. This may not be how most individuals use SharePlay over iOS 17’s CarPlay, however I am glad Apple hasn’t restricted this function to solely working with people who find themselves already within the automobile with you.

If you happen to’re utilizing SharePlay with somebody within the automobile, they’ll merely scan the QR code because it seems on the CarPlay display screen. In my case, I took a screenshot of the code and despatched it to Zac through iMessage. Proper within the Messages app, he long-pressed the QR code to disclose the “Open in Music” possibility.

Not everybody likes the concept of ​​giving music management to another person within the automobile, and I will even admit that I used to be skeptical of this function when Apple introduced it. However after making an attempt it out, I believe this might be an effective way to make street journeys extra participating and extra enjoyable.

iOS 17 is at present in developer beta testing, with a public beta scheduled for launch someday in July. iOS 17 can be launched to everybody in September.