Apple’s iOS 18 introduces many exciting features, including a new Passwords app, a redesigned Control Center, and a customizable home screen. This update brings several valuable enhancements to its in-car interface.
Users can look forward to new wallpapers, improvements to Siri, and better accessibility options. These updates aim to improve the overall infotainment experience for drivers and passengers alike.
In this article, we’ll discover all the new features that iOS 18 brings to CarPlay and how they can enhance your time on the road.
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Here Are The 10 Cool New CarPlay Features In iOS 18
The company didn’t highlight CarPlay during the launch event, but there are lots of new CarPlay features in iOS 18. Let’s discuss them:
1. Voice Control
In iOS 18, a new CarPlay feature is designed to help those with physical or motor impairments. It’s called Voice Control, and it allows you to manage CarPlay settings using just your voice without needing Siri.
Once activated, you can give commands like “Open Maps,” “Go Home,” “Open Spotify,” “Tap Play,” or “Press Pause” to control your screen. You can even say “Tap” or “Press” next to any button you see. It works well, even with soft background music.
2. Color Filters
Apple continues to enhance accessibility features in its devices with the latest iOS 18 update for CarPlay. One significant addition is Color Filters, which allow users to tint the entire CarPlay interface to help those with visual impairments or color blindness.
Options include Red/Green, Green/Red, Blue/Yellow filters, and a Grayscale mode. Users can adjust the intensity of each filter. Additionally, iOS 18 introduces a bold text option for clearer readability across the CarPlay interface, improving the driving experience.
3. Refreshed Settings App Interface
If you update to iOS 18, one major update in CarPlay is a redesigned Settings app featuring a new Siri & Suggestions icon, influenced by the upcoming Apple Intelligence with a colorful and vibrant logo.
For vehicles without wireless CarPlay, a Siri Response option in Settings enhances Siri’s audio quality. It directs Siri’s sound through the media system, providing a clearer and improved listening experience for users.
Read Also: Guide On How To Install iOS 18 On Your iPhone And It’s Features
4. Sound Recognition
The new Sound Recognition feature in iOS 18 is a great help for people with hearing difficulties. It allows your iPhone, when connected to CarPlay, to listen for important driving sounds like sirens or car horns.
When the feature is turned on, the phone’s microphone picks up these sounds and shows notifications on your CarPlay screen. This is especially useful for drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring they stay aware of their surroundings while on the road.
5. Siri Improvements
Siri is getting a big update with Apple Intelligence, including some small changes for CarPlay. While the home and dashboard screens stay the same, the way Siri displays information has improved.
When you ask Siri for things like weather or sports scores, you’ll see richer visuals in the center of the screen, such as team logos and current scores. Siri now also supports multiple languages, making it easier to switch between languages for tasks like sending messages or checking information.
6. Contact Photos in Messages
The Messages app in CarPlay now shows contact photos, giving it a fresh look. When you receive a message, the sender’s profile picture will appear next to their name. If you open the Messages app, you’ll see photos of all contacts you’ve chatted with.
For contacts without a picture, their initials or a default avatar will show. This update makes the app more visual and easier to recognize conversations compared to the previous text-focused layout.
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7. Silent Mode Settings
The Settings app on your iPhone has a new option for Silent Mode. This feature allows your phone to switch to silent mode automatically when connected to CarPlay. It’s a convenient way to silence any system sounds and notifications from your apps while driving.
This setting allows you to enjoy a more peaceful driving experience without distractions. It helps ensure that you stay focused on the road, making your time in the car safer and more enjoyable.
8. New CarPlay Wallpapers
In the iOS 18 update, Apple introduced new wallpapers for CarPlay, just like they do every year. There are four different designs, and each one comes in both light and dark versions.
These wallpapers are designed to match the default iOS 18 wallpapers and are available in four color choices: blue, purple, yellow, and grey. You can easily customize your CarPlay display with these fresh, vibrant options.
9. Next-Gen CarPlay
With the arrival of iOS 18, CarPlay is getting some updates, but many are eager to see what the next generation will bring. Apple announced this new version a few years ago, but it has yet to be widely adopted.
The first cars featuring next-gen CarPlay are expected by late 2024, mostly in luxury models. This update will allow users to get alerts, control vehicle functions like temperature, and personalize their experience with their iPhones.
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10. Record Video with Audio Playback
iOS 18 addresses a frustrating issue where audio playback stops when switching to video mode in the Camera app. This issue is especially annoying for CarPlay users, but not anymore.
Now, you can choose whether to pause or continue audio playback while recording videos in the Camera app Settings. This update is a great feature for those who enjoy making videos on their iPhones while listening to music through CarPlay.
Conclusion
You can enjoy some cool CarPlay features in the iOS 18 update. Through this post, we have told you about some of the ten new CarPlay features that have come with the iOS 18 update.
We hope that you like this article. If you have not updated your iPhone yet, then we have already posted a guide on the iOS 18 install process, which you can read. Stay tuned with techjivan for more such tech post
