Finally, additional information regarding the upcoming CarPlay system is available.
Apple has released two new films for developers that assist clarify what its next-generation CarPlay is capable of, even though CarPlay was not featured in the WWDC 2024 keynote.
In case you missed the announcements, the June 10 presentation featured displays of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and Apple Intelligence. You should discover something helpful if you have one of the compatible devices that can use one of these upgrades.
Apple has published two new developer videos that cover the latest features for CarPlay. The first video explains in detail how this upgrade functions and is titled “Meet the next generation of CarPlay architecture.” The second, titled “Hello, the next generation of CarPlay design system,” provides an overview of the UI possibilities for this future iteration of CarPlay. But some of the content in these films could look familiar to you. This updated CarPlay version was first shown by Apple at WWDC 2022. Apple stated at the time that more information on this update would be available by the end of 2023. Since then, though, only a small number of automakers have confirmed to us that they support the updated CarPlay version.
The single monitor that sits between the driver and passenger seats is where the current iteration of CarPlay is located. With support for adding speedometers, trademarked colours, different gauges, and more throughout the entire dashboard, automobile vendors have total control over this new version.
Additionally, the gauges may be modified to accommodate most car interior shapes. For instance, speed metres can be modified to accommodate a curved dashboard.
Additionally, these layouts are adaptable to specific automotive features. This updated CarPlay version allows integration with external cameras, seats, tyre pressure, and climate control. This implies that the upcoming CarPlay version will allow users to immediately access any settings related to these new features.
The most crucial components of an automobile dashboard are the gauges, which show vital data like speed, fuel level, and electric charge remaining. Car makers effectively have a blank canvas to build their gauges with this next iteration of CarPlay.
The tick marks, which represent the measurements on these gauges, come in a range of colours, sizes, and designs for them to select from.
Widgets for your car that may be positioned all over the dashboard are called Dynamic Content. The following features can be added by a manufacturer for this next iteration of CarPlay:
Charts
Weather Charging Clock
Tyre Pressure: Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Alert for Seatbelt Use
Soundtrack
To accommodate a range of sizes, these can all be arranged into three different configurations. Notifications are also placed by default in Dynamic Content. Notifications from Slack, Messages, and other sources will appear in your car’s Dynamic Content section if you get a lot of them.
The company intends to display dynamic content on the passenger’s side, as seen in the video. This might be a hint that Apple TV Plus episodes are being shown, although the video didn’t go into more detail.
According to reports, the following automakers are still committed to installing this new CarPlay version in their cars as soon as possible:
- Acura
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Ford
- Land Rover
- Jaguar
- Jaguar
- Honda
- Infiniti
- Lincoln
- Mercedes-Benz
- Porsche Polestar Nissan
- Renault
- Volvo
Apple’s operating system in the car will likely be customised by each manufacturer, from the dynamic content sections to the speed gauges, thanks to the customisation features available in this new edition of CarPlay.
You cannot get this next iteration of CarPlay for your existing car, even though you can download the iOS 18 development beta, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia right now.
Apple hasn’t given any other information other than that this update will be released later this year. Hopefully, further information about the release date of this updated CarPlay version and the vehicles will be released shortly.
