Alpine comes with a separate CarPlay system that should fit in every car

The Japanese company Alpine comes with a separate system for CarPlay that can be installed in all current and future cars. It would therefore be the first manufacturer to announce a standalone instead of integrated console for Apple’s car platform.

To date, CarPlay has only been announced as an integrated platform for a number of models from Mercedes Benz, Volvo and Ferrari. However, Alpine, which specializes in car radios and navigation systems, is going to release a console with a 7-inch screen that can be built into any car. According to the Japanese business magazine Nikkei, the screen will be on sale in Europe and the US this year. The price will be approximately between 500 and 700 dollars. An iPhone 5 or newer device will be connected to the console via a Lightning cable.

The system is intended as a replacement for the built-in navigation and entertainment systems supplied in many cars. The device offers features such as calling, sending messages and playing music, and according to Alpine it should work just like integrated alternatives. No details or photos have been released yet.

CarPlay was presented by Apple along with Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Ford, and Honda at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Its features include Siri interaction, navigation, and music controls. The Cupertino company is not alone in focusing on the car. Google is currently working with Honda and General Motors, among others, on its own navigation and entertainment system based on Android, Microsoft is working on a version of Windows for cars and Samsung wants to make Tizen suitable for vehicles.