Apple’s iOS 18 is rolling out on September 16th, bringing a wave of new features to iPhones and, importantly, to the CarPlay experience. While Apple isn’t reinventing the CarPlay wheel with this update, there are several key changes that promise to make driving with CarPlay even more enjoyable and convenient.
Siri Steps Up in CarPlay
The biggest highlight for CarPlay in iOS 18 is the enhanced Siri integration, though it’s worth noting that this feature won’t be available in the initial release. You’ll have to wait for iOS 18.1, arriving in October, to enjoy the full Siri experience.
The new Siri boasts a more visual and helpful approach. On CarPlay, you’ll see colorful edges around the screen when Siri is activated, making it more visually appealing. But beyond the aesthetic changes, Siri promises to be smarter and more natural in its responses. It will leverage personalized information from your emails and messages to provide more context-aware and relevant answers to your queries. This means Siri will be able to understand your needs better and deliver more useful assistance, potentially revolutionizing voice control in the car.
Visual Refinements for a Smoother Ride
iOS 18 brings visual enhancements to the Messages app within CarPlay. Now, alongside names and numbers, you’ll see profile pictures, making it easier to quickly identify contacts without taking your eyes off the road.
For users with visual impairments, iOS 18 introduces a handy color filter option for CarPlay. This feature allows users to adjust the screen’s color tint, offering a range of options, including grayscale, to improve visibility. The color filter intensity can be customized with three levels to find the most comfortable setting.
Voice Control Takes the Wheel
iOS 18 allows users to navigate CarPlay using just their voice. This hands-free functionality lets you control the CarPlay interface with spoken commands, eliminating the need for button taps or scrolling. While it might take some getting used to, it’s a fantastic way to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Sound Recognition for Enhanced Awareness
For those with hearing impairments, iOS 18 offers a new sound recognition feature that displays notifications for important driving-related sounds like sirens and car horns. These notifications will appear on the CarPlay screen just like any other, providing an additional layer of awareness for drivers.
Silent Mode Made Easier
iOS 18 introduces the ability to set default Silent Mode settings for CarPlay. This means you can configure whether your iPhone automatically enables or disables Silent Mode when connected to CarPlay, or if it simply retains the existing setting. This feature is accessed within the CarPlay Settings app, allowing you to personalize the Silent Mode behavior to your preference.
Enhanced Information Cards for a More Informative Journey
Siri is getting a visual makeover in CarPlay, with information cards appearing for specific queries. These cards will display details related to things like sports scores, weather forecasts, and more. This move is intriguing, as it usually prioritizes minimizing screen time while driving, but it can be beneficial when parked or for users who rely on visual cues instead of audio responses.
