5 helpful iOS 26 CarPlay options which have me excited to make use of the platform once more

Whereas a lot of the dialog surrounding Apple’s latest update, iOS 26, revolves across the telephones in our pockets, I am extra enthusiastic about the way it impacts my automobile’s display — and boy, do I’ve to say that I am impressed. For a very long time, I have been within the camp that Android Auto was pretty much as good because it acquired in the case of automotive infotainment, and whereas it hasn’t been sufficient to make me change to an Android system, it did go away me wanting extra when it comes to how nicely my telephone and automobile labored collectively.

It is evident, although, that the individuals at Apple have been listening to the rising variety of wished options relating to CarPlay’s subsequent steps — and even when Apple hasn’t applied all the things I believe must be normal on CarPlay, this newest replace is simply sufficient. It presents a extra seamless look, higher usability, and elevated customization. These 5 new options present me that Apple actually is listening to its prospects and desires to make CarPlay a greater infotainment platform.

You should utilize most of your native widgets seamlessly

Widgets is likely to be the best factor that Apple has ever launched on the iPhone, and I have been an enormous fan of them since their launch. As somebody who likes to peruse information feeds all through the day, the revolving carousels of knowledge my widgets offer up is at all times contemporary and useful, and now your automobile can present the identical help. As an illustration, if you happen to’re driving someplace on a visit by your self, the climate widget can give you precise information on temperature, warmth index, and extra, with out requiring you to drag out your telephone.

Even handier, although, is the brand new skill to combine my Outlook calendar into my automobile’s show. It permits me to take a fast look at my day earlier than I go away the automobile every morning, and it is a terrific reminder after I’m accomplished that there isn’t any extra work to be accomplished on that day. Extra inventive widget choices embody the redesigned Images app and social media platforms, permitting you to remain updated on notifications. The perfect half, although? When you personal a more moderen automobile with a big display, you may show a number of widgets without delay. The small display in my Volkswagen is somewhat missing in that regard, however hopefully, on my subsequent automobile improve we’ll be capable to expertise that.

Telephone calls at the moment are simpler

No extra dropping your approach when the household dials in

In earlier iterations of CarPlay, nothing might wreck your easy-going road trip vibes like an premature telephone name. The notification alone would take up your total display and interrupt any route you have been following, and good luck in case you have a flip arising, too. With iOS 26, name notifications are displayed solely throughout the decrease portion of the display, permitting your steering programs to proceed planning the route and also you to proceed following it, all whereas getting that workweek debrief session in.

The decision notifications (together with the apps, extra on that in a second) additionally obtain the same liquid glass treatment, which supplies CarPlay a way more cohesive really feel. Nonetheless, there is a option to revert CarPlay again to its previous self and previous look with the contact of only one button within the settings menu that’s offered in your sprint. You simply must entry it by way of the automobile’s infotainment system quite than by yourself system.

App icons are extra customizable than ever

I will by no means stop on you, darkish mode

After I say that apps can now be custom-made, I actually imply it. I am a dark mode 24/7 sort of individual (I identical to the look higher than the brighter various). Nonetheless, with the previous CarPlay setup, you could not customise your apps until you probably did so in a roundabout approach that Apple would most positively not approve of. Now, although, your whole CarPlay apps can match the look of those in your iPhone itself, whether or not that is with the brand new clear look setting, darkish mode, or the default CarPlay icon show.

When you seen already that my photographed apps look a bit totally different from yours, that is the precise motive why. When you’re trying to make yours similar, merely head into the settings in your CarPlay-activated system and edit/customise app appearances. It is as straightforward as 1-2-3 and places little to no pressure on my eyes whereas driving, which, if you happen to’re as nearsighted as I’m, is kind of a reduction. I am hoping that it’s going to relieve a migraine or two within the course of, however that may simply be wishful considering. There’s just one option to discover out, and apart from that, darkish mode appears approach cooler anyhow.

Customers can react to messages now

No must postpone that vital work textual content anymore

Pay no thoughts to the truth that I’ve 45 unread textual content messages (you must see my electronic mail), however as a substitute, know that iOS 26-equipped CarPlay customers can now react to messages with only one faucet and a voice command with out ever choosing up their telephone. There isn’t any motive to fret about lacking a piece textual content anymore or considering you’ve got ruined somebody’s day by studying and never responding.

As a substitute, CarPlay will permit you to select a response to any textual content you simply obtained with one faucet and a voice command. The “like” response may carry with it some destructive connotations these days, however it serves a precious objective of claiming “I learn this, however I am unable to reply proper now,” and bringing that skill right into a automobile is extraordinarily useful regardless of who you might be or what you do.

Apple Maps acquired a usability overhaul

I used to run Google Maps on Apple CarPlay, however not anymore

I saved this one for final, because it’s solely appropriate with sure autos, but when your automobile already has zoom options enabled by itself infotainment system, now you can pinch and pull to zoom in or out in CarPlay. That is particularly useful if you happen to’re in a big metropolis heart with a number of flip choices forward. Now, you may zoom out in your route sufficient to see what’s forward, however not up to now out that you do not ever assume you may arrive.

This characteristic might have been extremely useful on a latest seashore fishing journey I took, the place, upon arrival within the city we have been fishing out of, I missed a minimum of three turns en route to fulfill our captain.

All of CarPlay’s new options work collectively seamlessly, due to iOS 26 being nicely beta-tested. With these enhancements, Apple has lastly closed the hole to its largest competitor in in-car leisure. Certain, we’re nonetheless lacking the flexibility to make images into CarPlay wallpapers, however with the best way it appears now, I would not be shocked if that skill is available in an replace quickly. Talking of options quickly to come back, on some fashions of infotainment programs, CarPlay will now permit you to AirPlay movies within the widgets tab. Lastly, you may legally use your infotainment display as a tiny film companion, as long as you are parked, in fact.