Along with its yearly new iPhone release, Apple has introduced the latest version of its smartphone operating system, iOS 18, which brings several key enhancements to its CarPlay mirroring software. With millions of Aussies using CarPlay daily, any new features are big news for motorists.
On iPhones, Apple says that iOS 18 offers greater customisation, improved accessibility features, and the debut of Apple Intelligence AI, mirroring the moves Samsung made earlier in the year with its Galaxy S24 handset.
Updates to CarPlay in iOS 18 are relatively minor, much like in years before, though they aim to make the system more user-friendly and easier to interact with, which is welcome news to those on the road.
New Features in Apple CarPlay with iOS 18
Voice Control
Voice control will now allow users to navigate the CarPlay in iOS 18 hands-free. By pressing the voice control button on the steering wheel, users can use CarPlay without touching the car’s screen at all.
Visual Improvements
Apple has refined the various visual interfaces in CarPlay to minimise distractions. The messages app now displays contact profile pictures, making it easier to identify who is messaging. There are new wallpapers, new icons for the Home and Dashboard buttons.
Silent Mode
Users can now set default silent mode settings on their CarPlay system, eliminating the need to manually toggle the setting each time they get in their car. Drivers who prefer less distractions while driving will appreciate this feature. This can be configured in the settings app to either automatically turn silent mode on or off when connecting to CarPlay, or to retain the current setting from your iPhone.
Greater Accessibility
New accessibility features include color filters to assist users with visual impairments. These filters can tint the display to suit different types of color blindness, with options for three levels of intensity. Additionally, sound recognition features will notify users of important external sounds, such as car horns or sirens, enhancing awareness for drivers with hearing impairments.
Siri upgrades (coming with iOS 18.1)
Often considered as the original virtual assistant, Siri’s functionality is set to take a leap with Apple Intelligence within CarPlay. When iOS 18.1, is released later in the year, Siri will be able to access personalised information from emails and texts, making it easier to find important details while driving and will be much more powerful when answering questions. A host of visual improvements are also coming to Siri within CarPlay – the biggest change will be a more subtle interface featuring a glowing border around the screen when drivers interact with Siri. These features will require an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro.
These updates aim to enhance the overall user experience, making CarPlay more intuitive and accessible for all users. We’re particularly glad that iOS 18 will deliver drivers more control over notification settings within CarPlay and we look forward to testing the enhanced Siri when it is released.
How do I get the new features?
These improvements to CarPlay are available by updating to iOS 18 through the settings app on the iPhone. Support is limited to the 2018 iPhone XR and newer, including the iPhone SE 2nd generation and newer.
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