Speculation rife about iCar as Apple registers names

Apple Inc has registered domain names related to automobiles, adding to speculation about the company's plans to develop an automobile.

The iPhone maker registered the domain names, which include apple.car, apple.cars and apple.auto, in December, according to domain information provider Who.is.

MacRumors had first reported the news on Friday, but said the domain names could be related to Apple's CarPlay, which lets drivers access contacts on their iPhones, make calls or listen to voicemails without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

While never openly acknowledging plans to build a car, Apple has been aggressive in recruiting auto experts from companies such as Ford and Mercedes-Benz.

Car technology has become a prime area of interest for Silicon Valley companies including Google Inc, which has built a prototype self-driving car.