Millions of mobiles can unlock cars using ‘virtual key' and even open boot as 13 major brands reveal big change
The bombshell announcement means 33 car brands now support the feature
CAR-AZY! Millions of mobiles can unlock cars using 'virtual key' and even open boot as 13 major brands reveal big change
MILLIONS of drivers won't need to carry their keys around anymore - as mobile phones are set to replace them.
Apple has announced that the Wallet app will soon update a handy feature which lets their devices act as car keys.
2
Millions of drivers will be able to open their vehicles using just their phones
Credit: Apple
2
13 new brands are coming to Apple's Car Key Wallet feature
Credit: Getty
The smartphone giant made several exciting car-related announcements at WWDC on Monday.
One of these was the revelation that 13 brands will be added to Apple's Car Keys feature in their Wallet app.
This groundbreaking feature was launched in 2020.
The concept allowed users to open their cars using their phone or smartwatch.
Each version of the key varied by manufacturer, and some have more special features than others.
For example, some boast an incredible proximity ability.
This means that the car can be locked and opened and even started just by holding the phone close to the vehicle's doorhandle.
Passive entry is also available with the Car Keys feature.
This means the car can lock automatically when you walk away, and can then open as you come near it.
On top of these extraordinary features, the car can be opened remotely and without the need for physical keys.
Apples's big announcements from WWDC with a flurry new features for the gadgets you already own
Now, 13 car brands are set to gain Car Key support.
These include Acura, Cadillac, Chery, Chevrolet, GMC, Hongqi, Lucid, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Tata, Voyah and WEY.
There was no specific timeline given for when these brands would be adopting car key support.
But having made the announcement at WWDC during the iOS 26 presentation, they may all launch by the end of this year.
This list may include more brands in the future.
With the addition of these 13, the total list of vehicles with Car Key support on Apple devices now includes 33 brands.
The rest of the list already includes car giants such as Mercedes, Audi, Volvo and Mini.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
HMRC announces major change for all taxpayers in shake-up
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HMRC has announced a major change for all taxpayers in a shake-up. The taxman has plans to scrap all outgoing letters to households, except ones that generate revenue such as tax demands. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 HMRC is stopping outbound post for customers. Credit: Getty You can receive a letter from HMRC for a number of reasons, including if you are underpaying on tax or if you need to register for self-assessment. The Government confirmed the change in its spending review on Wednesday June 11. It is hoped the move will reduce the number of letters HMRC sends by 75% and save £50million a year by 2028‑29. Households who do not have easy access to internet or struggle with technology will still receive letters. Meanwhile, phone lines will also remain open for those who need to speak about any queries. However, there are fears from tax experts that those who are less tech savvy could miss out on important updates from HRMC. Alice Haine, personal finance analyst said the move risks leaving those with no digital skills in the "dark". She said: "The decision raises the risk that people miss key correspondence, or worse, mishandle their tax affairs – something that could lead to fines if they fail to fulfill their obligations." 'While the lack of physical mail some might persuade some to solve any stumbling blocks themselves through online support services, others might find these mediums difficult to navigate or totally inaccessible." An HMRC spokesperson told The Sun it will be communicating with taxpayers in "different ways instead" and provide a "better service" for customers. What Does My Tax Code Mean? A Simple Guide to Your HMRC Letter They said : "The government is providing an additional £500million in funding to make HMRC a digital-first organisation.' It comes as part plans to prioritise digital operations at HMRC. Households can already download the HMRC app which gives access to your tax, National Insurance and benefits. Users can also make a Self Assessment payment and claim a refund if you have paid too much tax. These tasks can also be carried out online via the website, but the option to submit it through the post remains.
Geeky Gadgets
an hour ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iPhone 17: Will ProMotion Finally Come to the Base Model?
Apple's ProMotion technology, celebrated for its adaptive refresh rate, has been a defining feature of the iPhone Pro lineup for years. As speculation grows around the upcoming iPhone 17 series, a pivotal question arises: will the base model finally adopt ProMotion? Such a move could significantly enhance the user experience, improve gaming performance, and potentially signal a shift in Apple's product strategy. The video below from SaranByte gives us more details on what Apple has planned. Watch this video on YouTube. What Is ProMotion Technology? ProMotion is Apple's advanced display technology that dynamically adjusts the screen's refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz. This capability delivers a smoother and more responsive display experience while optimizing energy efficiency. Its benefits are evident across various use cases: Smoother Navigation: Scrolling through web pages or navigating apps feels fluid and seamless. Scrolling through web pages or navigating apps feels fluid and seamless. Battery Optimization: During static activities like reading, the refresh rate lowers to conserve power. During static activities like reading, the refresh rate lowers to conserve power. Enhanced Performance: Gaming and high-frame-rate video playback benefit from sharper visuals and reduced motion blur. By tailoring the refresh rate to the content being displayed, ProMotion balances performance with energy efficiency, making it a highly desirable feature for both tech enthusiasts and everyday users. Where Is ProMotion Available Today? Currently, ProMotion is reserved for Apple's Pro models, such as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. This exclusivity has been a deliberate strategy to distinguish the Pro lineup as the pinnacle of Apple's innovation. By limiting ProMotion to premium devices, Apple has created a clear divide between its Pro and non-Pro models, encouraging users to upgrade for access to advanced features. This strategy has proven effective in maintaining the Pro models' appeal as high-end devices. However, as Apple continues to refine its product offerings, the question remains whether ProMotion will eventually trickle down to the base models, as seen with other features like OLED displays. Will the iPhone 17 Base Model Break the Pattern? The possibility of ProMotion being included in the base iPhone 17 has sparked widespread debate. Historically, Apple has introduced premium features to its non-Pro models over time. For instance, OLED displays, once exclusive to the Pro lineup, are now standard across all iPhone models. If ProMotion follows this trajectory, it could mark a significant shift in Apple's approach to product differentiation. However, such a move could blur the lines between Pro and non-Pro models, potentially diminishing the perceived value of the Pro lineup. Apple's decision will likely hinge on its ability to balance innovation with maintaining a clear product hierarchy. The inclusion of ProMotion in the base iPhone 17 could attract a broader audience, but it also risks undermining the exclusivity that has long defined the Pro series. How ProMotion Could Enhance Everyday Use For the average user, ProMotion offers tangible improvements in how the device feels and performs. Its adaptive refresh rate enhances several key aspects of the user experience: Fluid Interface: Everyday tasks like scrolling through social media or switching between apps become noticeably smoother and more responsive. Everyday tasks like scrolling through social media or switching between apps become noticeably smoother and more responsive. Improved Gaming: Higher refresh rates reduce motion blur, delivering a more immersive experience, especially in fast-paced games. Higher refresh rates reduce motion blur, delivering a more immersive experience, especially in fast-paced games. Better Media Viewing: Watching videos or streaming content feels more engaging, with sharper visuals and seamless transitions. By extending ProMotion to the base iPhone 17, Apple could elevate the overall user experience for a wider audience. This would make advanced display technology more accessible, potentially setting a new standard for smartphone displays in the mid-range market. Gaming and Media: A Closer Look ProMotion's advantages are particularly pronounced in gaming and media consumption. For gamers, the ability to achieve refresh rates of up to 120Hz ensures smoother gameplay and faster response times, which are critical for competitive or action-heavy games. This feature enhances the overall gaming experience, making it more immersive and enjoyable. Similarly, media enthusiasts would benefit from the enhanced clarity and fluidity ProMotion provides. High-definition videos, photo galleries, and streaming content appear sharper and more vibrant, with transitions that feel natural and seamless. These improvements could make the base iPhone 17 a more attractive option for users who prioritize performance in gaming and media consumption. What Does This Mean for Apple's Market Strategy? The potential inclusion of ProMotion in the base iPhone 17 reflects broader implications for Apple's market strategy. On one hand, adding this feature could make the base model more competitive, appealing to a wider audience in an increasingly crowded smartphone market. On the other hand, it risks diluting the exclusivity of the Pro models, which have traditionally been marketed as the ultimate expression of Apple's technological capabilities. Apple's challenge lies in striking the right balance. Expanding ProMotion's availability could attract new customers and enhance the appeal of the base model, but it must be done without compromising the Pro lineup's premium positioning. This decision will likely be influenced by market trends, consumer demand, and Apple's long-term vision for its product ecosystem. Whether ProMotion becomes a standard feature or remains exclusive to the Pro models, its role in shaping the future of the iPhone series cannot be understated. As Apple continues to evolve its product lineup, the inclusion of ProMotion in the base iPhone 17 could represent a pivotal moment in the company's ongoing effort to balance innovation with market segmentation. Advance your skills in ProMotion technology by reading more of our detailed content. Source & Image Credit: SaranByte Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Your VPN could be giving your browsing data to China, watchdog says
Using a free app to hide your internet traffic? The company behind it could be quietly tied to China, where the government maintains the ability to surveil all user data, according to a report published Thursday by the Technology Transparency Project. The report accuses 17 Apps — six on Apple's App Store, four on the Google Play Store and seven on both — of having undisclosed ties to China. In several cases, the TTP linked the app developers to a prominent Chinese cybersecurity company, Qihoo 360, which is under U.S. government sanctions. The apps are all virtual private networks, or VPNs, which allow a user to divert their internet traffic through a company's internet connection. With names like VPNify, Ostrich VPN and Now VPN, none of them make overt references to China or Chinese ownership on the app stores. VPNs are primarily used to either protect a user's privacy by making it harder for a website to know who's visiting them, or to skirt around censorship measures. But unless a VPN company takes significant steps to automatically and permanently delete its users' search histories, a company is likely to keep records of its customers' internet activity. That is particularly notable if the company is Chinese, as national law there stipulates that intelligence and law enforcement agencies do not need a warrant to view any personal data that is stored there. 'VPNs are of particular concern because anyone using a VPN has the entirety of their online activity routed through that application,' said Katie Paul, the TTP's director. 'When it comes to Chinese-owned VPNs, that means this data can be turned over to the Chinese government based on China's state laws,' Paul said. Justin Sherman, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who studies data privacy, told NBC News that using a Chinese-owned VPN would be tantamount to handing over one's browsing history to Beijing. 'Capturing data via a VPN could let the Chinese government see everything from websites a person is reading that criticize the Chinese state, to the corporate databases and private portals that person might pull up (and then log into) on the internet for work,' he said. The TTP, a tech-focused arm of the Campaign for Accountability, an investigative nonprofit that seeks to expose 'corruption, negligence, and unethical behavior,' previously published a report on Chinese VPN apps on April 1. Apple soon took down three of the apps with alleged ties to Qihoo 360: Thunder VPN, Snap VPN and Signal Secure VPN. The other apps — Turbo VPN and VPN Proxy Master, which are also available on the Google Play Store, as well as three others that Google offers — are all still available. None of the apps are listed as being developed directly by Qihoo 360. Instead, they are developed by Singapore-based companies including Lemon Seed, Lemon Clove, Autumn Breeze and Innovative Connecting. The TPP cited business filings in China that show Qihoo 360 saying it had acquired those companies in 2019, and Corporate registration documents for those companies in the Cayman Islands from March that all list the director as a top Qihoo 360 employee. NBC News reached out to developers listed for the 17 apps. Only one claimed not to have ties to China: WireVPN, where an employee claimed in an email that the company is 'an independent service' with 'no ties to Chinese entities or government organizations.' 'We are neither affiliated with Qihoo 360 nor any other PRC-based enterprises, and our operations are entirely autonomous,' the employee said. However, WireVPN's privacy policy makes clear that users are expected to adhere to Chinese law and bans them from 'Violating the basic principles established by the Chinese Constitution' and 'Violating the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, social morality, rational morality, and socialist spiritual civilization.' Qihoo 360 didn't respond to a request for comment. But China Daily, a state-run newspaper, has reported that its cybersecurity clients include the Chinese military and 'at least eight ministries' of the Chinese government. In a 2016 press release, the company seemed to indicate it was in the VPN business, saying 'Qihoo 360 also provides users with secure access points to the Internet via its market leading web browsers and application stores.' Both Apple and Google declined to address the specific apps that TTP highlighted as tied to Qihoo 360 and told NBC News that they follow U.S. laws regarding sanctions. Neither bans VPN app developers simply for following Chinese law. Peter Micek, general counsel at Access Now, a tech policy and human rights advocacy nonprofit, told NBC News that he was surprised to see the tech companies had potentially overlooked a sanctioned company offering apps under innocuous developer names. 'It seems like this project has done the homework and due diligence that Apple and Google should have done, and it does seem like those ties would constitute indirect contact with, transactions with folks who are sanctioned,' he said. Tech companies can sometimes face significant fines for violating sanctions, Micek said. Sanctions are put in place by the federal government as a penalty on foreign entities and individuals, preventing U.S. companies and individuals from doing business with them. They are often imposed after a foreign entity or individual is shown to have conducted some sort of condemned behavior or have links to condemned groups, such as cybercriminals or terrorist organizations. Qihoo 360 faced sanctions from the Commerce Department in 2020, which said the company could become involved in supplying materials to the Chinese military. The sanctions prevent American companies from exporting technology or software to Qihoo 360. It's not clear if app stores hosting apps tied to Qihoo could be in violation of those sanctions.
