Apple has officially launched the next-generation CarPlay, named CarPlay Ultra, after three years of anticipation. This version introduces countless new features and updates compared to the standard CarPlay.
Currently, CarPlay Ultra is available in Aston Martin cars within the United States and Canada, either on new vehicles or via a software update for existing owners. Apple mentions over a dozen automakers have committed to supporting CarPlay Ultra, including Land Rover, Lincoln, Audi, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Porsche, Jaguar, Acura, Polestar, Infiniti, Renault, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. However, no specific timeline has been announced for these brands beyond Aston Martin.
CarPlay Ultra represents the most significant revamp of CarPlay since its inception. It integrates deeply with all of a car’s screens, offering a more immersive experience. The design is tailored to each automaker, as seen with Aston Martin, where Apple collaborated with the brand’s designers to create a customizable user interface blending both aesthetics.
Users can customize various aspects, such as choosing between instrument cluster designs prioritizing speedometers or having Apple Maps dominate the screen. Additionally, a new widgets screen powered by the iPhone can display Calendar, Weather, Reminders, and more on the car’s center screen or gauge cluster.
Functionality improvements include a new “Vehicle” app managing settings like climate, tire pressure, and drive modes directly within CarPlay Ultra. It also integrates with physical buttons and Siri for voice control of vehicle functions.
For a hands-on experience, Top Gear and MotorTrend have published detailed videos showcasing CarPlay Ultra’s features.
Apple assures that existing CarPlay will continue to be supported as CarPlay Ultra rolls out.
— new from 9to5Mac