What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

[MacRumors]

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.

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

Sound 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

Porsche'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.

Article Link: What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

 

[markfc]

Poor CarPlay. Get less updates than TVos.

 

[Rychiar]

The one feature I want that they’ll never have is to show the text messages. in text form. large on the screen. so i at least know whether they’re worth listening to And not just a “yup”

 

[MarkDeMoss]

Can you put CarPlay on an iPad for old repairable cars?

 

[brofkand]

The real question is, what will be the biggest vaporware from Apple this year. What will top AirPower? Next Gen CarPlay tried but couldn't quite get there.

 

[brofkand]

Can you put CarPlay on an iPad for old repairable cars?

Some people integrate iPads in their cars as a headunit. But it seems to be less popular these days as headunits with big touch screens have dropped in price.

 

[Joseph C]

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).

 

[citysnaps]

The one feature I want that they’ll never have is to show the text messages. in text form. large on the screen. so i at least know whether they’re worth listening to And not just a “yup”

If you were to write a thoughtful letter or email to Craig F or Tim C, your suggestion (assuming you're not driving while reading) would be considered. You'll also get a letter/email in reply.

 

[aUniqueName]

2025 Ford Explorer has all digital dash (2 screens total). Looks like it could be fully compatible with next gen CarPlay but haven’t seen that mentioned on the Ford site.

 

[klasma]

Next-Generation CarPlay

No LCARS interface, unfortunately.

 

[Larry MacPhee]

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.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

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.

 

[everlast3434]

That next gen carplay was all just a bunch of mockups, to fill an event where they had little to say. IMO.

 

[StuBeck]

I'd love it if we could replace a single word in a text response rather than re-saying the entire thing. What tends to happen is it thinks it got the wrong word wrong, so then I just say the same thing over and over until it finally figures it out.

 

[citysnaps]

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.

I've found that Siri works incredibly well for controlling the radio (Siri play NPR, Siri louder, etc).

 

[nt5672]

Not having my current car play receiver obsolete.

 

[Rychiar]

If you were to write a thoughtful letter or email to Craig F or Tim C, your suggestion (assuming you're not driving while reading) would be considered. You'll also get a letter/email in reply.

Oh i definitely mean reading while driving. But just like the first line of the text and large. It wouldn’t impair driving anymore than looking at song titles does. and less so than messing with climate settings and the like

 

[ignatius345]

The one feature I want that they’ll never have is to show the text messages. in text form. large on the screen. so i at least know whether they’re worth listening to And not just a “yup”

You get why they don't do that, right?

 

[Muzzakus]

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.

That seems to be a limitation of your car, Apple Maps integrates with the cockpit and hud on my bmw. Waze does not however.

 

[Rychiar]

You get why they don't do that, right?

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.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

I don't really want CarPlay to take over the whole car. I wish Apple would update their existing interfaces instead. Map apps seem to disallow any kind of interaction with them. I can't find a way for Apple Maps to display a list of upcoming directions. Messages are probably the most annoying since it forces you back into CarPlay just to display a dialog box that asks if you want to hear the message instead of just showing the message.

Podcasts don't want to show more than a dozen or so episodes. The Now Playing button is on the far right of the screen, far away from the driver.

 

[ignatius345]

Some people integrate iPads in their cars as a headunit. But it seems to be less popular these days as headunits with big touch screens have dropped in price.

The head units are also I think better suited to being left in hot cars than an iPad would be. You can get a head unit for as little as $100 but the reviews for the cheapest ones are mixed (unreliable connections, bad contrast, less responsive). I splurged a little and spent $250 on this one and have been super happy with it. Within about 10-15 seconds of starting the car, it's connected to my phone wirelessly. Very bright, very responsive. The only challenge was finding a good place to mount it.

 

[jb310]

If iOS 18 is (supposedly) going to focus heavily on AI, does that mean there'll be generative AI for CarPlay?

...which probably sounds weird, but I like to think it means Siri will give good responses to me asking for vague directions on Maps ("where's the nearest street taco place?") or for music ("I want a playlist that's just all meme songs").

 

[ignatius345]

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.

 

[citysnaps]

Oh i definitely mean reading while driving. But just like the first line of the text and large. It wouldn’t impair driving anymore than looking at song titles does. and less so than messing with climate settings and the like

I don't think Apple would take on that liability.

To find out for yourself, write Craig F or Tim C a letter or email outlining your suggested feature.