Apple CarPlay Update Has Custom Gauges and Other New Features

2022-06-10 18:48:25 By : Mr. Frank pang

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Cars with the next level of CarPlay will be revealed late next year.

Apple's CarPlay is already a hit. On compatible cars, the software that allows compatible cars to simply hand over their infotainment systems to Apple's product designers has created an optional way to universalize those systems. In cars with particularly poorly-designed systems, iPhone owners can completely erase the problem by simply plugging their phone in. Now, Apple wants to do the same for digital dashboards.

At its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference on Monday, Apple introduced the next generation of CarPlay. From the previews shown, this version seems designed to integrate with larger glass dashboards that blur the lines between infotainment and a traditional dash. That means Apple would be able to take over the entire display, not just the section cordoned off for navigation and entertainment, and control the presentation the entire way.

In the demo photo Apple shared, that includes a customizable gauge cluster with options like direct navigation integration. It also includes space for customizable iPhone-powered widgets on other parts of the display, allowing the car to share more information directly with the driver directly from their phone.

Apple has not yet said what cars will get this level of integration, but the sheer amount of screen space necessary for this level of CarPlay control implies that it will probably be reserved for cars with oversized dashboard displays. Unlike with the traditional CarPlay, that will greatly reduce the number of cars that can be integrated to this level. Vehicles that can use the system will be announced late next year.