CarPlay keeps getting better, here are two new features I’ve been loving
Source: 9to5Mac
CarPlay has improved a lot with iOS 26 and subsequent updates over the past year, here are two new features I’ve been loving lately.
AI chatbot apps
It’s not often that CarPlay gets a whole new category of apps, but that’s exactly what happened with iOS 26.4.
As of the latest iPhone update, CarPlay now lets you use “voice‑based conversational apps” (AI chatbots) — see the announcement here.
So far ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok have all launched CarPlay versions, and I expect Claude and Gemini to follow suit soon:
I love using AI apps in the car because they enable me to perform searches and ask general questions while keeping my eyes and hands focused on driving. These AI apps only support voice interactions, making them a lot safer than using your iPhone. They also offer an exciting glimpse at what iOS 27 could enable for Siri — read more here.
Widgets
Widgets are a brand‑new CarPlay feature that launched in iOS 26. Two recent updates have made the feature even better:
- iOS 26.2 expanded the number of widgets available on screen for select vehicles. (Details: iOS 26.2 CarPlay improvements)
- iOS 26.4 saw Apple Sports add its own CarPlay widget for sports tracking. (Read more: Apple Sports adds two CarPlay widgets and new F1 features)
My car went from offering two widgets at once to now displaying three simultaneously, giving me a dedicated slot for the Apple Sports widget. While a full‑featured CarPlay app for Apple Sports would be ideal, the widget lets me keep track of games and schedules right inside CarPlay without touching my iPhone.
Best CarPlay accessories
- FLYLEAD in‑car charger with 2 USB‑C and 2 USB‑A ports
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- 10‑foot iPhone cable USB‑C to USB‑A
- AirTag 2 for tracking your car – 1‑pack / 4‑pack
FTC: We use income‑earning auto affiliate links. More info