You Will Soon Be Able To Unlock Your Car Using Your iPhone With iOS 13.4

Today, more and more cars can be locked and unlocked remotely, or owners can start the engine, honk using a dedicated app. Volvo and Tesla were the first carmakers to adopt this technology. But now, it seems that your smartphone will come with this feature built-in. On Wednesday, 9to5Mac reported that it has found CarKey, a new feature in the beta version of iOS 13.4, which was rolled out on the same day. The feature would reportedly use the near-field communications system (NFC) on your iPhone to communicate with your car.

The feature is baked in iOS 13.4 and relies on the existing hardware, so theoretically, it should work with not only your iPhone but also your Apple Watch. However, the iPad doesn’t come with NFC capability so you won’t be able to open your car doors with your Apple tablet.

It’s important to note that the feature will not require you to unlock the phone with Face ID, which seems like an unusual choice from the tech giant. But one good thing is that the feature will still work if your phone battery is dead, which would come handy in certain circumstances.

In separate news, a newly published patent suggests that Apple may have found a way to fix the problem with foldable phones. The patent illustrates a new mechanism for the hinge used in devices that have flexible displays. Its highlight lies in the two movable flaps that can avoid creating a crease on the screen when the device is folded inward. If this solution can make it to the real world, it would overcome one of the biggest problems that Samsung has with its Galaxy Fold.

>>> Apple Presents A Novel Solution For Creases On Foldable Devices