If you have a CarPlay-compatible car and also an iPhone compatible with iOS 18, you’re in luck. The update is coming soon, bringing with it a series of improvements. New features and improvements to Apple’s car system and that will allow you to have a better experience using the applications on board the vehicle.
With iOS 18 we will see some improvements that will come to both the “old” CarPlay and the new CarPlay, which is the one that will allow you to have the system on different screens across the dashboard. In essence, they are Visual, but also functional improvements to avoid elements such as dizziness and also help people with hearing problems.
The new classic wallpapers
It is usual that in each update of an Apple device, the company offers new wallpapers. It also happens in CarPlay, where we cannot configure any other that does not already come as standard. On this occasion we find Four new funds with colors and styles matching those seen on the iPhone.
New options for “silent mode”
In the CarPlay settings we now find the possibility to choose whether or not we want the iPhone’s silent mode to be duplicatedThe idea is that as soon as you connect the device to the car, the system can identify if you have the iPhone in vibrate/silent mode and not emit sounds when you receive notifications. However, you can also ignore that and have CarPlay alert you when you have notifications.
Color filters to prevent dizziness
Although they are options aimed at people with some type of visual problem (in fact it is within Accessibility), the truth is that it can be beneficial for almost anyone. The following filters have been added, which in some cases, help reduce dizziness when we turn our head towards the screen:
- Grayscale.
- Filter for people with protanopia (red/green).
- Filter for people with deuteranopia (green/red).
- Filter for people with tritanopia (blue/yellow).
It should be noted that options to regulate the screen intensity (low, medium and high) have also been added.
Contact photos now visible in ‘Messages’
Although it may seem like a minor novelty, it is now possible to see contact photos when we receive a message. It is useful insofar as it will help us to quickly identify that person without having to stop to read its name, something that is especially important when we are driving. The pity is that it does not appear for other apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
All the power to control CarPlay with your voice
Yes, CarPlay was already managed mainly by voice thanks to Siri and the requests we can make. However, with iOS 18 an option called literally Voice control and that will allow us Use iPhone microphone to control the entire systemeven within applications.
CarPlay now identifies important sounds
Image: Apple
This function is designed for people with some type of hearing problem, since through a signal on the screen it identifies sounds of ambulances, police cars, horns and more. All of this is done so that we do not miss these signs that can be so vital on the road (especially in the case of ambulances that are in a hurry and need us to move aside).
When will all these features arrive?
If you already have a public beta of iOS 18, they will be available to you now. Otherwise, you will have to wait until iOS 18 final release in mid-SeptemberAs usual, CarPlay depends on the iPhone, so updating the device will also update it without you having to take any specific steps to do so and without you having to change any settings in the car.