The tech world is holding its breath. Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is looming, promising to redefine the smartphone experience. But Samsung just threw a curveball. The Galaxy S25 Edge has landed, answering three burning questions that Apple fans have been anxiously awaiting. Prepare to be surprised as we dissect Samsung’s bold moves and analyze how they might reshape the competitive landscape. Could this be the year the Android titan steals the spotlight from the iPhone?
Find My Car: Ditching the Memory Game
One of the most frustrating experiences anyone can have is walking around a crowded parking lot, searching for their car. Apple CarPlay’s “Find My Car” feature can eliminate this stress entirely. When you disconnect your iPhone from CarPlay, it automatically places a marker on both Apple Maps and Google Maps, indicating the precise location where you parked.
How CarPlay Markers Help You Locate Your Parking Spot
This feature is especially valuable in large or unfamiliar parking areas. Imagine arriving at a busy shopping mall or airport after a long day. Instead of relying on your memory, you can simply open the Maps app on your iPhone and see a clear marker pinpointing your car’s location.
This eliminates the need to retrace your steps, wasting precious time and energy. It also prevents the anxiety and frustration that often accompany forgetting where you parked.
Navigating Busy Parking Lots with Ease
Finding your car isn’t the only benefit. CarPlay’s “Find My Car” marker can also guide you through a crowded parking lot. By following the marker on your screen, you can navigate directly to your vehicle, avoiding unnecessary detours and potential encounters with other vehicles.
This feature significantly enhances convenience and efficiency, especially when time is of the essence.
SharePlay: Collaborative Music for the Road
SharePlay, introduced in iOS 17, transforms CarPlay into a collaborative music experience. It allows passengers to participate in creating and controlling the music playlist, making road trips more enjoyable and interactive.
Sharing Your Apple Music Queue with Passengers
With SharePlay enabled, anyone in the car with an iPhone can access your Apple Music queue. They can simply tap the SharePlay icon, scan a QR code, and add songs to the playlist. This eliminates the need to constantly unlock your iPhone to manage music selections.
Passengers can contribute their favorite tunes, discover new artists, and share musical preferences, creating a shared soundtrack for the journey.
The seamless integration of SharePlay with CarPlay enhances the social aspect of driving, fostering a sense of shared experience and enjoyment.
Staying Connected on the Go
With the rise of connected cars and mobile devices, staying connected on the go has become an essential aspect of daily life. In this section, we will explore three underrated features of Apple’s CarPlay that everyone should be using, making it easier to stay connected with loved ones while driving.
CarPlay Check-In: Letting Loved Ones Know You’re Safe
CarPlay Check-In is a feature that allows you to share your location and estimated time of arrival with loved ones, giving them peace of mind while you’re driving. This feature is particularly useful for long trips or when driving in unfamiliar areas.
Sharing Your ETA and Travel Route
When you start a trip with Apple Maps or Google Maps in your car, you can share your estimated time of arrival (ETA) and travel route with loved ones. This feature allows them to track your journey in real-time, giving them an accurate estimate of when you will arrive at your destination.
To share your ETA and travel route, follow these steps:
- Open the Maps app on your iPhone
- Tap the “Share ETA” button at the bottom of the screen
- Select the contact you want to share your ETA with
- Choose the method of communication (e.g. iMessage, SMS, etc.)
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone
- Tap to start a new conversation or select an existing one
- Tap the “+” icon, then “More,” “Check In,” and “Edit”
- Choose between “finishing Check In when you arrive” or “after a timer”
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone
- Tap to start a new conversation or select an existing one
- Tap the “+” icon, then “More,” “Check In,” and “Edit”
- Choose the desired Check-In option (e.g. “When I arrive,” “after a timer,” etc.)
Real-Time Notifications for Peace of Mind
CarPlay Check-In also sends real-time notifications to loved ones in case your iPhone is not moving or if it does not reach the destination as expected. This feature provides an added layer of security and peace of mind, especially for those who are concerned about the safety of their loved ones while driving.
To set up real-time notifications, follow these steps:
Customizable Check-In Options for Different Situations
CarPlay Check-In offers customizable options for different situations, allowing you to tailor your Check-In experience to your specific needs. For example, you can set up a Check-In for a specific duration or until you arrive at your destination.
To customize your Check-In options, follow these steps:
Seamless Song Additions: No Need to Unlock Your Phone
With the rise of connected cars, music streaming has become an essential aspect of the driving experience. Apple’s CarPlay offers a seamless way to add songs to your music queue without needing to unlock your phone, making it easier to enjoy your favorite tunes while driving.
SharePlay: A Passenger’s Best Friend
SharePlay is a feature that allows you to collaborate with someone else’s Apple Music queue using CarPlay. Once you start playing a song, someone else can tap the SharePlay icon, grab their phone, scan a QR code, and add songs to the queue.
Even if the other person doesn’t have an Apple Music subscription, they can keep adding songs as long as they have the Music app downloaded. This feature makes it easy to create a collaborative playlist with friends or family members while driving.
Expanding Collaborative Features in iOS 18
With iOS 18, Apple expanded SharePlay capabilities, making it even more reliable, especially for those long car rides. This feature allows for seamless song additions and collaborations, making it easier to enjoy your favorite music while driving.
With SharePlay, you can also share your music queue with others, making it easy to create a collaborative playlist or share your favorite songs with friends and family members.
Conclusion
The recent announcement of the Galaxy S25 Edge has sent shockwaves throughout the tech community, as it has effectively addressed three major concerns that had been plaguing Samsung’s flagship series. According to a report by Boy Genius Report, the Galaxy S25 Edge has successfully overcome the limitations of its predecessors, including the issue of battery life, the need for a more powerful processor, and the criticism surrounding its camera capabilities.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated. The Galaxy S25 Edge’s response to these pressing concerns has not only bolstered Samsung’s position in the highly competitive smartphone market but also put pressure on its arch-rival, Apple. With the iPhone 17 Air still on the horizon, the Galaxy S25 Edge’s impressive features and capabilities have undoubtedly set a new standard for smartphones. As a result, consumers can expect a new era of innovation and competition in the tech industry, with both Samsung and Apple pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mobile technology.
As the smartphone market continues to evolve, it is clear that the Galaxy S25 Edge has cemented its place as a leader in the industry. With its remarkable performance, impressive camera capabilities, and long-lasting battery life, this device is poised to redefine the expectations of consumers worldwide. As we eagerly await the release of the iPhone 17 Air, one thing is certain: the future of smartphones has never looked brighter, and the competition has never been more fierce. The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next?