CarPlay Ultra Solves One of Regular CarPlay's Biggest Limitations

The next generation of CarPlay is finally starting to roll out, and it includes a new feature that solves one of regular CarPlay's longstanding limitations.

CarPlay Ultra Aston Martin
Apple last week announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, and it offers a Radio app, allowing you to control AM and FM radio stations within CarPlay. With regular CarPlay, you must switch between CarPlay and your vehicle's built-in software interface to control the radio, so CarPlay Ultra will be more convenient for this purpose.

CarPlay Ultra's built-in Radio app can also be used to control satellite radio stations, but this is less notable given that SiriusXM already offers a CarPlay app.

Apple shared an image of the SiriusXM experience within the Radio app, but unfortunately it did not provide a look at the AM/FM side of the app.

Apple CarPlay Ultra cluster radio
Apple did preview the FM radio controls when it first announced next-generation CarPlay in 2022, but the design of the app has slightly changed since then.

CarPlay Next Generation Radio
CarPlay Ultra also has a Climate app with climate controls, allowing you to adjust your vehicle's temperature and fan speeds within CarPlay.

CarPlay Ultra is rolling out in new and select existing Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, so it is currently limited to one luxury brand. Apple promised that many other automakers around the world will offer CarPlay Ultra over the next year, with the list of committed brands including Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and others.

To learn more about CarPlay Ultra, read our earlier coverage of Apple's announcement.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

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Top Rated Comments

TheLinkster Avatar
8 months ago
I'm not sure it's solved anything until it's available in a car that costs less than $100,000.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
8 months ago
iPhones should get an AM/FM radio app
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
8 months ago
Radio? How quaint. Around here it's either 20 mins of songs and 40 mins of ads/talk, sports or the worst "boomer-take" political banter you can imagine.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bviktor Avatar
8 months ago
People actually still listen to the radio? Last time I tried was maybe 15 years ago, browsing through went like this:

- commercials
- news
- morning talk show cr@p
- commercials
- pop trash
- commercials
- prayers
- the same news as 30 minutes ago
- commercials

Why would you do that to yourself
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DblHelix Avatar
8 months ago
So we have all the cool kids in here who
1. Hate ads and at the same time still want content
2. Never go anywhere remote enough that they won’t have internet and never forget to download songs or pack a usb stick with music on it
3. Listen to only their curated music never discovering any new music.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
8 months ago
Why would I listen to the radio in 2025?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)