CarPlay Ultra has received the most attention lately, but the regular version gets a new design and also a handy improvement.
CarPlay gets a new design
Apple presents iOS 26 on June 9 during the WWDC 2025. This software update improves the CarPlay experience in any case in the following two ways.
1. A new design
It is very likely that a number of design changes from iOS 26 also apply to the CarPlay interface. Actually it is just logical. iOS 26 is expected to get a slimmer, glassy design. In addition, there is extra transparency for app icons, menus, buttons and other elements. In addition to a new design, Apple adds an option for larger text to CarPlay.
2. Sound recognition for crying babies
CarPlay received support for sound recognition last year with the arrival of iOS 18. This accessibility function warns drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing for horns and sirens outside the vehicle, such as a police car, ambulance or fire truck.
Last month, Apple gave a taste of the new accessibility functions that are introduced in iOS 26, including an extension of this sound recognition for CarPlay. Thanks to that update, the function gives a notification if a crying baby is heard in the car. A handy improvement for parents with small children.
There will probably be more changes in CarPlay, but these are the changes that we currently know. What the other innovations are, wait for a while.
New design CarPlay is coming in September
The first beta version of iOS 26 will be provided to developers shortly after the keynote on Monday evening 9 June. The update will probably be released to the general public in September. That means that you can only expect the new version of CarPlay in September.
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