CarPlay’s evolution has in a number of methods been a disappointment because the “subsequent technology” of CarPlay was first previewed in 2022. However swiftly, within the span of a mere month, CarPlay’s future appears brighter than it has in years—partially due to a redefinition of what that future will probably be.
The subsequent technology of CarPlay is not simply CarPlay Extremely
CarPlay’s beforehand introduced “subsequent technology” appeared like it might by no means arrive.
However now, it’s lastly right here—with a twist. And arguably, it is likely to be higher than what Apple beforehand introduced.
When the corporate unveiled next-gen CarPlay at WWDC three years in the past, it had a daring imaginative and prescient to take over extra points of your in-car expertise.
Regardless of preliminary pledged help from many car manufacturers, with passing time, automakers have appeared extra reluctant to yield their software program expertise to Apple.
So the corporate pivoted, and what we’ve ended up with—after an extended wait—is a two-pronged CarPlay strategy that’s excellent news for all customers.
CarPlay Extremely formally launched final month, and my first response was very constructive. Not primarily due to any specifics concerning the first supported car, nonetheless.
Fairly, I noticed CarPlay Extremely as nice information as a result of it was very clearly not meant to switch commonplace CarPlay.
As a substitute, CarPlay Extremely arrived as a separate, extra premium various. And I used to be optimistic a few of its options would finally trickle all the way down to the usual CarPlay expertise.
Simply weeks later, that’s already taking place.
iOS 26 brings all CarPlay customers a feature-packed launch
CarPlay is getting a variety of upgrades in iOS 26.
There’s extra coming than I can bear in mind at any level since “next-gen CarPlay” was first unveiled.
One massive new function is widgets, that are a direct import from CarPlay Extremely.
However there’s additionally a brand new Liquid Glass design, video help, Good Show Zoom, and extra.
It’s an enormous 12 months for CarPlay.
And Apple’s rollouts of each CarPlay Extremely and iOS 26’s new options tells us one thing essential.
CarPlay’s “subsequent technology” isn’t restricted to $200,000 autos. Fairly, it’ll profit all customers
Apple is reinvesting closely into the usual CarPlay expertise each now and into the long run. All whereas concurrently increasing CarPlay Extremely the place it could actually.
CarPlay is lastly getting into a brand new period of change, and it’s off to an awesome begin.
Are you optimistic about the way forward for CarPlay? Why or why not? Tell us within the feedback.
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