CarPlay also gets a bunch more accessibility features, bringing it more in line with what’s available on the iPhone. The latest version of CarPlay offers color filters (for those with color blindness), bold text and voice controls. The latter lets users control CarPlay without physically tapping or swiping the screen. Something called “Sound Recognition” can detect car horns and sirens, and alert the driver to them.
CarPlay also gets a few new wallpapers but still doesn’t allow users to add in a custom background. And now you can ping your misplaced devices straight from the CarPlay screen using Apple’s Find My function. So you can quickly determine whether your phone is lodged deep under your seat—or if you actually lost it somewhere.
The updates come at a time when many automakers are trying to convince customers that they have, in fact, upped their software game after many years of terrible user experiences. Some manufacturers like Rivian, Tesla and (perhaps most infamously) General Motors do not offer CarPlay on their EVs at all as they prepare customers for a future driven by their own software services—and the subscription fees to run them.
But many drivers are die-hard CarPlay loyalists and, if our emails are any indication, it’s something they just aren’t willing to go without. It’s tough to conclusively say any automaker is “catching up” to a tech powerhouse like Apple, but they aren’t willing to let them control the future of the in-car software experience, either.
Ultimately, it’s good to see Apple pushing out new automotive features to try and stay ahead of the curve, and it may inspire the competition to be better too. At least, until Apple takes over all your car’s screens, anyway.