Apple teases new version of CarPlay

With cars becoming more and more high-tech, it's no wonder customers are always looking for the latest features and amenities in automobiles.

Nowadays, not having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps can be deal-breakers for customers looking to buy a new car. Believe it or not, people tend to look for these features and when they aren’t available, the buyer might shy away from the prospective sale. An estimated 98% of cars in the US market alone offer the feature in their lineup.

Apple recently concluded their World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2022 and one of the things they announced was an update to their CarPlay platform. They shared that the next version will be smarter and offer a safer way to use your iPhone with your car. They teased a familiar UI and seamless vehicle integration. 

With that integration, the user will now have access to climate and audio controls which are normally found outside of the app with its current version. You can also control certain functions of the car like the heated seats, HVAC system, radio controls, and more. Remember that Mercedes Benz S Class super screen we reported on a while back? With this new update, cars with those kinds of displays will have a unified and consistent view for easier control.

With that, CarPlay will be able to power the entire instrument cluster. There will also be a slew of cluster options to choose from. Curated traditional and modern setups will be standard just like Apple Watch faces. Apple’s Widgets will also be available in the upcoming version. 

Of course, these are just some of the things Apple has teased. We will be waiting for the full version. But for now, they announced a lineup of vehicle partners during their WWDC presentation that will use the new Apple CarPlay. These are; Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo.

With smartphones now becoming more of an extension of ourselves, there is an app for almost everything. With the newer version of CarPlay coming and more vehicles announced late 2023 with the app built-in, the feature will now be part of everyone’s checklist when shopping for a new vehicle.