Buzz
Apple announced the “next generation of CarPlay” at WWDC in June last year. This revamped CarPlay interface will debut in new-generation cars later this year, bringing significant and exciting changes.A Completely Revamped Design
CarPlay was initially introduced as part of iOS 7 under the name “iOS in the Car,” but it was quickly rebranded as CarPlay. Since that renaming, the CarPlay interface has seen minimal changes, with the most significant design overhaul occurring in iOS 13. The new Dashboard interface introduced various “cards” for apps like Maps, Music, and more.However, “CarPlay next-gen” will bring a complete interface overhaul, based on images provided by Apple at WWDC. The new design still relies on the grid of app icons as the primary UI element but introduces various changes around that app grid: expect a split-screen interface for displaying multiple apps simultaneously and a Dock at the bottom for quick access to recently used apps.
Another image reveals a car remarkably similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, featuring a vertical central display and small gauge clusters behind the steering wheel.
These images demonstrate how the CarPlay interface adjusts based on various screen sizes, where the 'module for widgets and cards plays a crucial role.' The key to this new design is its complete replacement of the car manufacturer's software interface.Deeper Integration with Vehicles
The next-generation CarPlay will have access to more features of the vehicle than ever before. Apple states that this is achieved through the iPhone communicating with the car's real-time control system, including functions like climate control, displaying fuel and battery levels, and controlling the radio.
Think of it simply: everything that used to rely on the car's native interface will now be seamlessly integrated with CarPlay. And if executed well, users will only need to interact with CarPlay.Customized Design
Users can personalize their driving experience by selecting different gauge cluster designs and managing the layout. Apple mentions creating various designs, ranging from modern to traditional.Additionally, there will be layout options such as choosing fonts, font sizes, and font colors for different aspects of the interface.
Finally, CarPlay widgets will allow quick access to information from apps like Music and Weather.
Release Date
Apple states that the first cars to support the next-gen CarPlay will be announced around late 2023. However, 9to5Mac has information on the names that have signed up to adopt this new interface, including:- Landrover
- Mercedes-Benz
- Lincoln
- Audi
- Volvo
- Honda
- Porsche
- NISSAN
- Ford
- Jaguar
- Acura
- Polestar
- Infiniti
- Renault
