What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

by

iOS 18 will be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in less than two weeks, and the update will include some new features for CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay Dash
Below, we recap new accessibility features that Apple recently previewed for CarPlay, and discuss the current status of the promised next-generation CarPlay.

The first beta of iOS 18 will likely be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately following the WWDC keynote on June 10, and a public beta is usually released in July, which will allow iPhone users to test out the new CarPlay features. As usual, the update should be widely released in September.

New Accessibility Features

CarPlay Sound RecognitionSound Recognition is coming to CarPlay

In a press release earlier this month, Apple highlighted three new accessibility features coming to CarPlay as part of iOS 18:

  • 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.

Next-Generation CarPlay

Next Generation CarPlay Porsche 1Porsche's next-generation CarPlay preview

It has been nearly two years since Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has still yet to become available in any vehicles.

Apple's website says the first vehicle models with next-generation CarPlay will "arrive in 2024," but nothing has materialized yet. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay designs in December, but Aston Martin has been silent ever since and Porsche continues to release vehicles without next-generation CarPlay. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has seemingly reversed course on adopting next-generation CarPlay, despite being on Apple's list of committed automakers shown at WWDC 2022.

At this point, it is looking like next-generation CarPlay will debut with iOS 18, but it could be compatible with some iOS 17 versions too.

Apple said next-generation CarPlay will have deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster, climate controls, FM radio, and more.

Related Roundups: CarPlay, iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full Release Notes for iOS 18.2

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:48 am PST by
Apple seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.2 today, which means it's going to see a public launch imminently. Release candidates represent the final version of new software that will be provided to the public should no last minute bugs be found, and Apple includes release notes with the RC launch. The iOS 18.2 release notes provide a look at all of the new features that are coming...
Read Full Article • 72 comments
New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

20 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Friday December 6, 2024 4:42 am PST by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 in the second week of December, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls...
Read Full Article • 28 comments
iPhone 17 Slim Feature

iPhone 17 'Air' Expected to Be ~2mm Thinner Than iPhone 16 Pro

Friday December 6, 2024 4:07 pm PST by
In 2025, Apple is planning to debut a thinner version of the iPhone that will be sold alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This iPhone 17 "Air" will be about two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm thick, so an iPhone 17 that is 2mm thinner would come in at around 6.25mm. At 6.25mm,...
Read Full Article • 190 comments
iPhone 14 Pro Display Two Times Brighter Feature

Every Display Upgrade Rumored for Apple's iPhone 17

Friday December 6, 2024 5:14 am PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 lineup may bring some of the most significant display improvements we've seen in recent years. While the iPhone 17 series isn't expected until late 2025, multiple rumors suggest Apple is working on substantial screen upgrades across its entire smartphone range. From enhanced refresh rates to advanced materials and improved power efficiency, these display...
Read Full Article • 45 comments
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected Next Year: Here's What We Know

Thursday November 28, 2024 3:30 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
Read Full Article • 64 comments
iCloud General Feature

Apple Defeats Lawsuit Related to iCloud's Measly 5GB of Free Storage

Friday December 6, 2024 7:43 am PST by
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit this week upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that Apple illegally deceived customers into paying for iCloud storage, according to a court filing. The decision was reported by Law360. The lawsuit alleged that Apple deceived customers into purchasing iCloud-enabled devices by misleading customers into believing that they can...
Read Full Article • 225 comments
surface studio 4

Microsoft Discontinues iMac Rival Surface Studio 2+

Friday December 6, 2024 6:30 am PST by
Microsoft has discontinued its Surface Studio 2+, marking the end of the company's only direct competitor to Apple's iMac, leaving a gap in the Windows ecosystem for high-end all-in-one PCs. Microsoft has confirmed to Windows Central that it has ended production of the Surface Studio 2+, a premium all-in-one desktop designed for creative professionals. With remaining stock now limited to...
Read Full Article • 82 comments
open ai logo

OpenAI Launches $200/Month ChatGPT Pro Plan

Thursday December 5, 2024 4:19 pm PST by
OpenAI today announced the launch of ChatGPT Pro, a $200 per month subscription service that provides unlimited access to OpenAI o1, the company's newest and most advanced large language model. The plan includes unlimited use of OpenAI o1, o1-mini, GPT-4o, and Advanced Voice, along with o1 pro mode, an o1 version that uses more compute to provide better answers to the hardest problems. In...
Read Full Article • 105 comments

Top Rated Comments

Larry MacPhee Avatar
Larry MacPhee
7 months ago
Screens require you to look at them in order to use them. Sliders, buttons, switches, and knobs, once learned, do not. It would be nice if the UI people would remember that. Carplay is great for navigation, but I don't need it to take over things like climate control. It's less safe. Controlling the radio via screen is an abomination.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markfc Avatar
markfc
7 months ago
Poor CarPlay. Get less updates than TVos.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joseph C Avatar
Joseph C
7 months ago
Wouldn’t it be just incredible if you could send voice messages without that endless beeping and the inevitable “Something went wrong” obliterating your entire recording, despite having perfect signal?

And wouldn’t it be a miracle if we could actually listen to voice messages longer than 60 seconds? A truly revolutionary idea.

On a serious note I really want them to fix the above, and also give is the 'next gen' CarPlay UI for the version the rest of us actually use every day (and before any smartypants comments, obviously I know we can't get the instrument cluster stuff, I mean what we already have).
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
7 months ago

Next-Generation CarPlay
No LCARS interface, unfortunately.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
ignatius345
7 months ago

I do and I don't. again I'm not looking to read paragraphs, just a short preview in case someone sent a one word answer. instead I occasioanally look down at my phone for this like most people and that's far less safe. and again it would be no different than looking at the CarPlay screen to change music or do anything else.
I don't think there's ever a reason to text behind the wheel of a moving car. When my iPhone goes into Driving focus mode, everyone gets an autoreply that tells them I'm driving and that if it's important they should call so I can speak. I'm fine with taking a call and simply refuse to text while I'm driving. Having texts muted keeps me from being tempted and signals to the other person that I'm not going to be responding for a while. I see too many maniacs driving around with their heads in their phones and I think the penalties for this should be swift and severe.

Even CarPlay and all the other purpose-built car screen interfaces absolutely invite distraction. I'm not immune myself, and I've caught myself futzing with my music and taking my eyes off the road. Love having my map up on the display, but the design of these things really requires a lot of discipline. I'm glad CarPlay has at least the guardrails it does have.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike_Trivisonno Avatar
Mike_Trivisonno
7 months ago
Make it work with my HUD. The native GPS will show me navigation instructions in the heads-up display but if I use Apple Maps, it only shows on the main display. But I still use Apple Maps anyway because it's so much better than the built-in system. Still....would be nice.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments