The arrival of iOS 18 brings its share of new features for Apple CarPlaythe integration system between iPhone and car. This update promises to improve the driving experience with innovative features and notable improvements. Let’s discover together the most significant changes that await Apple CarPlay users with iOS 18.
Visual innovations for a better user experience
iOS 18 introduces several cosmetic changes aimed at improving the Apple CarPlay interface. Among the most notable changes are:
- A news home icon with a clean design
- Of the color filters customizable for the screen
- The addition of contact pictures in the messaging app
- new ones wallpapers to personalize the interface
The home icon, previously composed of several rectangles, is now represented by a single rectangle. This minimalist design is reminiscent of the original iPhone’s home button, offering a touch of nostalgia while simplifying navigation.
Color filters are a major step forward in terms of accessibility. They allow the entire screen to be tinted, making reading easier for people with visual impairments. This feature comes with a “Bold Text” option for better readability.
The integration of contact photos in the messaging application brings a more personal dimension to exchanges. With just a glance, drivers can identify their correspondents, making the messaging experience more intuitive and user-friendly.
Safety and comfort at the heart of the new features
Apple focuses on user security and comfort with the introduction of several smart features:
| Functionality | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Silent mode | Turn off phone ringtones in the car | iOS 18 |
| Finding lost devices | Locates AirPods or Apple Watch via CarPlay | iOS 18 |
| Sound recognition notifications | Alerts the driver in the event of horns or sirens | iOS 18.1 (coming soon) |
Silent mode offers an elegant solution to avoid sound interruptions while driving. This function allows you to deactivate phone ringtones while maintaining access to visual notifications on the CarPlay screen.
The ability to locate your Apple devices directly from the CarPlay interface is particularly practical. Just ask Siri to “Ping my AirPods” to get their location and trigger a sound to make them easy to find.
The sound recognition function, planned for iOS 18.1, represents a significant advance in road safety. By detecting horns and sirens, it can alert the driver of potentially dangerous situations, particularly for people who are hard of hearing. This innovation is part of the line of smart roads which aim to improve safety on our roads.
Artificial intelligence for driving
The integration of artificial intelligence into CarPlay marks a major turning point for the driving experience. Although not immediately available with iOS 18, update 18.1 promises to bring some game-changing features:
Apple Intelligence (or AI) is Apple’s new AI software that will soon be deployed on iPhones. Its integration with CarPlay opens the way to many possibilities, such as more natural voice assistance and more precise predictions for navigation.
The improvement of Siri voice control is particularly awaited. With bigger and brighter animations, Siri will be easier to use while driving. The entire edge of the screen will illuminate when Siri is active, providing clear and immediate visual feedback.
These advances in AI could ultimately enable more fluid interaction between the driver and their vehicle, bringing the driving experience closer to that offered by driverless robotaxis, while keeping human control at the heart of the system.
The Apple Maps app also benefits from subtle visual improvements. Redesigned icons and increased brightness of location markers contribute to better readability of the map, making navigation easier for drivers.
In summary, iOS 18 brings a breath of fresh air to Apple CarPlay, with features that emphasize safety, convenience and intelligence. These innovations promise to transform the driving experience, making the interaction between driver and vehicle more intuitive and safer than ever.
