Apple CarPlay is a popular feature that allows drivers to connect their iPhones to their car’s infotainment system and access apps, music, navigation, and more. However, Apple is not satisfied with the current state of CarPlay and is working on a next-generation version that will offer more functionality, customization, and integration. Two of the leading car manufacturers that are partnering with Apple to showcase the future of CarPlay are Porsche and Aston Martin.
In this article, we will explore what you need to know about the next-gen CarPlay, how it works, and what exciting features you can expect.
Next-Gen Apple CarPlay: What You Need to Know
The next-generation CarPlay is a major upgrade from the current version, which is limited to a single screen and a fixed layout. The new CarPlay will be able to take over all the screens in the car, including the instrument cluster, the center console, the rear seats, and even the head-up display. This will allow drivers to customize their CarPlay experience and access different apps and information on different screens. For example, they can have navigation on the instrument cluster, music on the center console, and entertainment on the rear seats.
Another key aspect of the next-gen CarPlay is the integration with the car’s sensors and systems. The new CarPlay will be able to communicate with the car’s cameras, radar, lidar, and other sensors, and use the data to provide enhanced features and services. For example, CarPlay can use the car’s cameras to recognize traffic signs and speed limits and display them on the instrument cluster. CarPlay can also use the car’s sensors to detect the driver’s attention and mood and adjust the music, lighting, and climate accordingly.
Porsche and Aston Martin are two of the first car manufacturers to adopt the next-gen CarPlay and demonstrate its potential. Both companies have announced that they will offer the new CarPlay as an option in their upcoming models, such as the Porsche Taycan and the Aston Martin Valhalla. These models will feature advanced infotainment systems that will support the new CarPlay and provide a seamless and immersive experience for the drivers and passengers.
How It Works
The next-gen CarPlay works similarly to the current version, in terms of connecting the iPhone to the car. The user can either plug in the iPhone via a USB cable or use a wireless connection via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Once the connection is established, the user can access the CarPlay interface on the car’s screens and control it using touch, voice, or physical buttons.
However, the difference lies in the level of integration and customization that the new CarPlay offers. The new CarPlay will be able to access the car’s native apps and features, such as the radio, the climate controls, the vehicle settings, and more. The user can also choose which apps and information they want to see on each screen and arrange them according to their preference. The new CarPlay will also be able to adapt to the driving context and the user’s behavior and provide relevant and personalized suggestions and notifications.
Exciting Features to Expect
The next-gen CarPlay will bring a lot of new and exciting features to the car’s infotainment system, some of which are:
- Instrument Cluster Integration: The new CarPlay will be able to display information and apps on the instrument cluster, which is the screen behind the steering wheel. This will allow the user to see important information, such as navigation, speed, and alerts, without taking their eyes off the road.
- Climate Controls: The new CarPlay will be able to control the car’s climate system, such as the temperature, the fan speed, the seat heating, and the air conditioning. The user can either use the touch screen, the voice commands, or the physical buttons to adjust the climate settings. CarPlay can also use the car’s sensors to detect the outside weather and the cabin temperature, and automatically adjust the climate accordingly.
- Multi-display Support: The new CarPlay will be able to support multiple displays in the car, such as the center console, the rear seats, and the head-up display. This will allow the user to have different apps and information on different screens, and switch between them easily. For example, the user can have navigation on the head-up display, music on the center console, and entertainment on the rear seats.
- Widgets: The new CarPlay will introduce widgets, which are small icons that show information and shortcuts to apps. The user can add, remove, and rearrange widgets on the CarPlay home screen, and access them with a single tap. Widgets can show information such as the weather, the calendar, the battery level, and more.
- FM Radio App: The new CarPlay will include an FM radio app, which will allow the user to listen to local radio stations and podcasts. The user can browse and search for radio stations by genre, location, or name, and save their favorites. The FM radio app will also show information such as the station name, the song title, and the artist’s name.
