Apple has announced CarPlay Ultra! The new operating system is the successor to CarPlay and the replacement of CarPlay 2.0. You need to know this.
CarPlay Ultra
CarPlay Ultra has been announced by Apple! The new generation of the operating system is the successor to CarPlay and takes over many more functions of the car. Previously this was called CarPlay 2.0, but Apple has now finally adjusted the name to CarPlay Ultra. The new version of CarPlay is much better integrated in the car, so that you can operate more functions of the car.
With CarPlay Ultra it is possible to manage parts such as the radio or temperature control of the car via the operating system. That is not yet possible with the current version of CarPlay, so you have to use the physical buttons of the car. The new version of CarPlay changes, because you then get access to almost all systems of the car. To use CarPlay Ultra you need an iPhone 12 or newer, which runs at least on iOS 18.5.
Many new functions
With CarPlay Ultra, Apple is making major changes in the software. You can see the speed, fuel level and the air conditioning of the car in the new generation of the operating system. Where the software is still limited to one screen of the car, the new version of CarPlay can take over almost all displays from the car. That also applies to the screen behind the wheel with the speed meters.
The CarPlay Ultra interface differs per car brand. Apple offers manufacturers the possibility to use its own design, so that it fits with the interior of the car. A big advantage is that you decide which information you see on every screen. For example, you can show Apple cards between the speed meters of the car, so that you no longer have to look away at the larger screen in the vehicle. As users you get much more freedom when designing CarPlay.
These car brands offer support
After years of waiting, Apple finally announced the successor to CarPlay. The first cars with CarPlay Ultra are already available in the United States and Canada. New cars from Aston Martin will receive the next generation of the operating system. In the coming weeks an update will be rolled out for existing cars from Aston Martin, so that they will also be expanded with the new version of CarPlay.
In the Netherlands and Belgium we have to wait a while for CarPlay Ultra, according to Apple, the update is rolled out worldwide within twelve months. Car brands such as Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have already indicated that they support the new generation of CarPlay. It is still unclear to which cars the update will come. We may hear more about that on the WWDC 2025. Curious when the WWDC will take place? Read all expectations for the first Apple event of 2025 here!
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