This week Apple made available for download iOS 18, its new operating system for iPhone and iPad. The most important updates concern the customizable home screen, the updated control center and new functions for messages. But not only. Apple CarPlay has also been revised in some parts.
Our colleagues at Motor1 USA immediately got their hands on it, using the 12.3″ monitor of the Toyota Crown to run some tests and discover all the new features of Apple CarPlay.
Apple Intelligence (18.1)
Apple Intelligence (or AI) is the name of Cupertino’s artificial intelligence, soon available on iPhones (initially in the United States, during 2025 also in Italy). It is therefore not yet available with the first version of iOS 18, but should appear in the next update 18.1. It will only be compatible with iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.
Apple Maps
Jeff Perez / Motor1
If, like me, you are an avid user of Apple Maps, you will notice some thin changes in the overall design of the app. Some icons have moved around and there is a slight light border to make them more visible on the screen. The location markers are also a little clearer thanks to the small interface redesign. Honestly, the photos don’t do it justice – the screens look much cleaner in real life.
Color filters
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Similar to the color filter options on your smartphone, the latest version of Apple CarPlay also has an option to add color filters to the screen. This means you can color the entire display with a single color (or grayscale) filter to help those with low vision. You can also enable “bold text” for greater visibility.
Improved Siri voice control (18.1)
One of the Most important changes concern Siri. According to Apple, the voice control system is now “specially designed for driving scenarios.” Larger, brighter animations on the screen indicate that Siri is listening; the entire edge of the screen now lights up and pulses when Siri is active, instead of a small circle at the bottom of the screen. Unfortunately, this new animation isn’t available right away in iOS 18 and won’t arrive until the release of iOS 18.1, which is currently in beta testing.
Icona Home
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Small but important update, with iOS 18 Apple has added a new Home icon to Apple CarPlay. Instead of three thin rectangles stacked on top of each other and a larger one on the left, there is now a single rectangle that leads to the main screen of CarPlay. The spiral design is a fun nod to the Home button on the original iPhone. Holding it down also activates Siri.
Messages Contacts Photos
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Apple wants to make it easier to in-car messaging. For this reason in Cupertino they have (finally) added the contact photos next to names in the Messaging app and on-screen pop-ups. Siri will continue to read text messages out loud and will let you send messages with voice commands, but a quick glance at the screen will now show you a photo of the person you’re messaging.
Finding lost devices
Jeff Perez / Motor1
If you have an Apple Watch or AirPods connected to your Find My account, you can now track them through CarPlay. Just ask Siri “Find My AirPods” to find out where your device is. This isn’t a new feature for Apple (obviously), but it’s the first time it’s been possible to do so through the CarPlay interface.
Silent mode
Jeff Perez / Motor1
If you keep your phone ringer on high but don’t want it to make any noise in your car, the CarPlay update brings a new “silent mode.” Go to “Settings,” select “Silent Mode,” and you’ll have the option to adjust your phone’s setting or turn ringer sounds on or off entirely.
Sound recognition notifications (18.1, maybe)
If the car behind you honks or you hear ambulance sirens in the distance, Apple CarPlay will tell you. If you go to “Settings” and “Accessibility”, you can turn on the “Sound recognition” which gives you the option to select a car horn, sirens, or both. Once enabled, a notification will appear on your screen alerting you to the presence of these external sounds. The new alerts are intended to help drivers who are hard of hearing or warn them of incoming sirens. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be available with iOS 18 (or may not be available in the US at the moment). Look for it in iOS 18.1.
Wallpapers
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Apple CarPlay has never been truly customizable in the past, but with iOS 18 Apple is offering a number of new wallpapers to choose from. By pressing the “Settings” icon, then searching for “Backgrounds”, you can choose from four new background colors/patterns. Switching between light and dark modes will change the gradients to improve visibility.
Apple is expected to release further updates to CarPlay when iOS 18.1 becomes available in the coming months.
Source: it.motor1.com
