Apple Previews Three New CarPlay Features Coming With iOS 18

Apple today previewed new accessibility features coming with iOS 18 later this year, and this includes some new options for CarPlay.

CarPlay Sound Recognition
Apple highlighted three new features coming to CarPlay:

  • Voice Control: This feature will allow users to navigate CarPlay and control apps with just their voice.
  • Color Filters: This feature will make the CarPlay interface visually easier to use for individuals with color blindness.
  • Sound Recognition: This feature will enable drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive notifications on CarPlay for driving-related sounds, such as car horns and sirens.

All three of these features are already available on the iPhone and iPad.

iOS 18 is expected to be unveiled at Apple's developers conference WWDC on June 10, and the update should be widely released in September.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...

Top Rated Comments

clayj Avatar
23 months ago
Really wish they'd add weather integration, so that the car can warn you when you are about to enter rain.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iansilv Avatar
23 months ago

Really wish they'd add weather integration, so that the car can warn you when you are about to enter rain.
Yeah, because you can never tell when you’re about to enter rain. It’s like dry, not a cloud in the sky and then boom instantaneously rain.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Victor Mortimer Avatar
23 months ago

You can’t tell just by looking? I can easily see where it’s raining from a slight distance.
You sound like you live in flatland.

Meanwhile, for those of us who live where there's terrain would find it helpful.

And weather along your route would be helpful, it would be nice to know that even though it's sunny and warm where you are, 100 miles down the road it's snowing.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
23 months ago


* Sound Recognition: This feature will enable drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive notifications on CarPlay for driving-related sounds, such as car horns and sirens.

I hope this popup on their phone also, so they see it while texting and driving...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CalMin Avatar
23 months ago
Too bad so many manufacturers see CarPlay as a threat. They try to use technology as a differentiator, but most of them suck at it and we end up with confusing vehicle UI that are different in every car. They also want to use upgraded tech as a reason to buy a new car which is why this year's radio would never fit into last year's car...

CarPlay / Android Auto solves the UI mess and most of us have phones now and want to bring over OUR info., media and apps into the driving experience. I haven't bought a new car for a while now, but I certainly won't be buying one without CarPlay.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shifty480 Avatar
23 months ago
Wildly underwhelming.

*edit - I didnt realize this was an accessibility focused announcement.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)