By Kimberly Koerth

Apple has announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out its new feature CarPlay, which lets iPhone users make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch.

Users can control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri without distraction, Apple said. Once the iPhone is connected to a vehicle with CarPlay integration, Siri helps users access their contacts, make calls, return missed calls or listen to voice mail. When incoming messages or notifications arrive, Siri provides an eyes-free experience by responding to requests through voice commands, by reading drivers’ messages and letting them dictate responses or simply make a call.

“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS product marketing. “iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction.”

Apple CarPlay is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with the iPhone 5 and later models. CarPlay will be available in select cars shipping in 2014.