BikePlay

[kyjaotkb]

Hi everyone. Am I the only one who wishes that iOS on the iPhone had a mode for cycling, with large tap targets and a tiled screen showing maps, workout and now playing / music, similar to CarPlay? I cycle to/from work and around town in a big city, mainly using cycle lanes and bus lanes. My phone is attached to a handlebar support and I use Google maps to navigate, but I find it impractical and dangerous to flick between apps. I tried using my watch and airpods to control what's playing but it's even more dangerous. I would like to be able to have e.g. my maps on the top part of the screen and music and fitness controls on the bottom. I'm actually curious Apple is not doing more for cyclists, they seem committed to sustainability but their products are not optimised for two wheels!

 

[gsmornot]

I think this is more of an app solution you’re looking for. Maybe someone will come up with something that provides the features. CarPlay takes the place of the existing entertainment system that a bike does not have.

 

[andyw715]

Yes a bicycling focus would be nice. Maybe you'll be able to customize the ios16 lock screen for a custom focus with widgets?

 

[kyjaotkb]

I think this is more of an app solution you’re looking for. Maybe someone will come up with something that provides the features. CarPlay takes the place of the existing entertainment system that a bike does not have.

I don't want to be depending on an app a la Waze (which can integrate Spotify, etc), I want something native and system-wide that I can use with Apple Maps, Google Maps, Deezer, Overcast or Amazon Music. Widgets in iOS 16 would get us almost there indeed. It's a tight balance because Apple may not want to incentivize cyclists to look away from the road, and a tumble of the iPhone at 20 kph on the asphalt is a pretty tough durability test. But I'd love for that bike mode to exist!

 

[nutmac]

Better yet, make CarPlay a special lock screen that can be invoked via "Driving" focus mode.

 

[MacNerd01]

I bet if you got one of those aftermarket CarPlay things you might be able to mount it to your bike. You’d have to find some way to power it though