CarPlay on iOS 26: Here's Everything New

[rockosmodurnlif]

Can we get compact view for audio apps as well?

 

[icwhatudidthere]

So I'm genuinely confused here and would very much like somebody to help me with this. I'm at a complete loss as to why the Contacts app is permanently missing from every CarPlay update. Am I missing something?

They don't want you scrolling through long lists of detailed information so it's hidden.

 

[svish]

Like the changes. The new zoomed in option is good and also the ability to watch videos.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

If someone uses wired CarPlay, would AirPlay video be needed to play a video on the vehicle's entertainment screen? You'd think a video would just play on the vehicle's display from the iPhone, right? Only asking because I don't have faith that auto manufacturers will update older vehicles to use this feature.

Edit: This question is regarding the new iOS 26 feature that lets you watch videos on the vehicle’s infotainment display while the car is parked.

I think MacRumors inserted the wirelessly part. Apple's description of the feature makes no mention of it being wireless only. They just call it CarPlay with AirPlay video. AirPlay works fine over ethernet for example so there's no requirement for it to be wireless.

 

[Mick-Mac]

They don't want you scrolling through long lists of detailed information so it's hidden.

but that's no different to scrolling through e.g. your music (which I frustratingly need to do often), which I would never do while driving. It's useful when you need it and the contacts often include good notes that are easier to read on the bigger display. If that really is the reason the app is missing then I object! And yea, I know about providing feedback (and I know it's a waste of time, in my experience).

 

[sammo123321]

Does the phone app take up the entire screen once answered? Also, when I use siri to report a harzard/speedcheck does the entire view still switch to map mode?

 

[icwhatudidthere]

but that's no different to scrolling through e.g. your music (which I frustratingly need to do often), which I would never do while driving. It's useful when you need it and the contacts often include good notes that are easier to read on the bigger display. If that really is the reason the app is missing then I object! And yea, I know about providing feedback (and I know it's a waste of time, in my experience).

So you'd be reading notes while driving? They already block reading of text messages, they're obviously not gonna allow reading notes.

My music apps frustratingly limit the number of items they show. Probably like 2-3 pages at most.

 

[OneDunya]

I am looking forward to trying out all the new CarPlay features in the Fall.

 

[cinegeek]

As a longtime Android user who relies heavily on “pinch to zoom,” I gave the new CarPlay beta a shot — and nope, still doesn’t work on iOS in Beta.

 

[1m4tr]

I just want to be able to see my next turn, the name of the song playing on Apple Music and not have a useless calendar meeting taking up 1/3 of the Split View screen.

 

[Kottu]

Watch Videos While Parked

iPhone users will be able to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen using AirPlay, according to Apple. For safety reasons, video playback will only be available when the vehicle is parked, to prevent distracted driving. The connected iPhone will be able to detect when the vehicle is in motion and end playback.

Automakers need to add support for this feature, so it might be limited to newer vehicles and take some time to roll out.

As if iPhone can't play Video while it is in motion. People keep their phones on the dash, in front of instrument cluster etc and watch YouTube!

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Still need GPS live speed in Maps!

In the UK we are plagued with 70mph speed cameras on the freeway. Basically everybody does 85, slows down to 70, and then speeds up to 85 again. And repeat every 3 miles.

Being able to see I'm doing 72 or 73 when passing these cameras would be far easier than relying on the inaccurate car speedo.

?? What car do you have that has an inaccurate speedometer? I have tested mine for decades and [always using stock tire sizes] every one of half a dozen vehicles has always been accurate to within one or 1.5 mph. Tested often at various speeds.

I do not need live speed, I need to see the posted speed on one of the interior displays. Roads in some USA states change speed limits constantly, and it is a big challenge knowing what the current posted speed is. And in wide-open western states it may be many miles before the next speed limit sign, so if a big rig is between you and a sign it may be many miles before you know what the current speed limit is.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I just want to be able to see my next turn, the name of the song playing on Apple Music and not have a useless calendar meeting taking up 1/3 of the Split View screen.

Or have a not-asked-for map blocking almost everything.

 

[moodler]

Still need GPS live speed in Maps!

In the UK we are plagued with 70mph speed cameras on the freeway. Basically everybody does 85, slows down to 70, and then speeds up to 85 again. And repeat every 3 miles.

Being able to see I'm doing 72 or 73 when passing these cameras would be far easier than relying on the inaccurate car speedo.

Try Waze

 

[jjudson]

When the heck are they ever going to put weather maps in the damn thing???

I -- for one -- would like to know if I'm driving into a tornado or not...

 

[macdaddy43]

I’m curious to see how this will look with the liquid glass design… especially in a car setting, less contrast is likely not an improvement, especially when you need to be able to glance and see what you are looking at quickly.

 

[sos47]

Multi tap maps. Finally. Thank you

 

[twistedpixel8]

Still need GPS live speed in Maps!

In the UK we are plagued with 70mph speed cameras on the freeway. Basically everybody does 85, slows down to 70, and then speeds up to 85 again. And repeat every 3 miles.

Being able to see I'm doing 72 or 73 when passing these cameras would be far easier than relying on the inaccurate car speedo.

…or just go past the cameras at the speed they are set to trigger above. All vehicles are calibrated to read higher than the speed you’re going and all cameras are calibrated to a little higher than the limit set, specifically to prevent the above scenario. If your car’s speedo reads 70, you’re not going to trigger a 70 camera unless you’ve changed the size of your wheels and not had the car’s speedo recalibrated (which would be a stupid thing to do).

GPS speed calculations aren’t perfect either and can read incorrectly. Better to just drive under until you’re clear of the camera.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

but that's no different to scrolling through e.g. your music (which I frustratingly need to do often), which I would never do while driving. It's useful when you need it and the contacts often include good notes that are easier to read on the bigger display. If that really is the reason the app is missing then I object! And yea, I know about providing feedback (and I know it's a waste of time, in my experience).

I was watching a YouTube video and it looks like there's a Contacts widget now available.