Everything new coming to CarPlay with iOS 14
CarPlay in iOS 14 is bringing a wide variety of changes to vehicles, all through a simple update to their phones. We break down exactly what is coming to users with iOS 14 and how it will impact their daily commutes and road trips.
CarPlay in iOS 14
Initially, Apple touted a simple change coming to CarPlay, but will be noticeable right away. That is a quintet of new backgrounds. Rather than be stuck with the stark white or dreary black backgrounds Apple offered before, users have five new colorful options to choose from.
Five new wallpapers in iOS 14 for CarPlay
In iOS 13, Apple brought a Settings app to the CarPlay interface to make adjustments easier, such as turning on Do Not Disturb While Driving or the automatic mode switching. That is also where you will find the five new wallpapers that look similar to the stock iOS 14 ones. These wallpapers are also dynamic and adjust light to dark based on the time of day, if dark and light mode switching is enabled.
Parking, EV charging, and quick food ordering apps are coming to CarPlay
New app types are also coming to iOS 14 CarPlay. EV charging, parking, and quick food ordering are all coming to CarPlay through apps added by developers. We could see a charging station app that shows you the latest EV charger for your vehicle nearby, an app to order pizza on the way to the restaurant, or an app that highlights all the open parking within range.
Take Maps for example. Maps was given a big overhaul as part of iOS 14 and CarPlay will see those represented in the vehicle. When using Maps, users will now be alerted to red light or speed traffic cameras as they are driving.
Maps in iOS 14 CarPlay
When navigating, users in electric vehicles will have navigation routes shown that have EV charging stations. Maps will know what EV you have so it will only show compatible chargers along your route. Taking this into account should alleviate any range stress you may have during a new trip.
In areas that are highly congested and that may have restrictions -- such as Paris -- these restricted zones will be noted and routed around.
Then there is Siri. Siri has an updated appearance when summoning via CarPlay, mimicking the new appearance on iPhone. It looks sleeker and more defined as it pops up in the middle of the display.
Sending voice message with Siri in iOS 14 CarPlay
Siri has new tricks as well. Siri can now send voice messages. Just like in the Messages app, if you ask Siri to send a voice message, a new UI will appear asking you what you want to say. Siri will record your message before sending it on its way. At which point your recipient will hear you speak your message.
In tandem with Maps, Siri can send your ETA as well. You could send your ETA prior from the Maps app, but now Siri can do so for you. At the same time, Siri reminds you of the privacy repercussions such as sharing your iCloud email with the recipient of your ETA. Once shared, you can view that in Maps and stop sharing when you want.
Unlocking the BMW 5 Seriers with iPhone
As it was demoed, users can tap their iPhone against the door handle to lock or unlock the vehicle, then once inside, they can place their phone in the wireless charger and press the ignition button to start the vehicle.
Keys can be shared as well, including short temporary restricted access or full access through Messages.
Apple has packed iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11 Big Sur, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 with many new features so stay tuned to AppleInsider for all of our other content surrounding Apple's latest updates.
CarPlay in iOS 14
New with CarPlay
Initially, Apple touted a simple change coming to CarPlay, but will be noticeable right away. That is a quintet of new backgrounds. Rather than be stuck with the stark white or dreary black backgrounds Apple offered before, users have five new colorful options to choose from.
Five new wallpapers in iOS 14 for CarPlay
In iOS 13, Apple brought a Settings app to the CarPlay interface to make adjustments easier, such as turning on Do Not Disturb While Driving or the automatic mode switching. That is also where you will find the five new wallpapers that look similar to the stock iOS 14 ones. These wallpapers are also dynamic and adjust light to dark based on the time of day, if dark and light mode switching is enabled.
Parking, EV charging, and quick food ordering apps are coming to CarPlay
New app types are also coming to iOS 14 CarPlay. EV charging, parking, and quick food ordering are all coming to CarPlay through apps added by developers. We could see a charging station app that shows you the latest EV charger for your vehicle nearby, an app to order pizza on the way to the restaurant, or an app that highlights all the open parking within range.
More with iOS 14
CarPlay gets benefits from the iOS 14 update as a whole, too. So while these aren't CarPlay exclusive features, CarPlay users will certainly benefit from them.Take Maps for example. Maps was given a big overhaul as part of iOS 14 and CarPlay will see those represented in the vehicle. When using Maps, users will now be alerted to red light or speed traffic cameras as they are driving.
Maps in iOS 14 CarPlay
When navigating, users in electric vehicles will have navigation routes shown that have EV charging stations. Maps will know what EV you have so it will only show compatible chargers along your route. Taking this into account should alleviate any range stress you may have during a new trip.
In areas that are highly congested and that may have restrictions -- such as Paris -- these restricted zones will be noted and routed around.
Then there is Siri. Siri has an updated appearance when summoning via CarPlay, mimicking the new appearance on iPhone. It looks sleeker and more defined as it pops up in the middle of the display.
Sending voice message with Siri in iOS 14 CarPlay
Siri has new tricks as well. Siri can now send voice messages. Just like in the Messages app, if you ask Siri to send a voice message, a new UI will appear asking you what you want to say. Siri will record your message before sending it on its way. At which point your recipient will hear you speak your message.
In tandem with Maps, Siri can send your ETA as well. You could send your ETA prior from the Maps app, but now Siri can do so for you. At the same time, Siri reminds you of the privacy repercussions such as sharing your iCloud email with the recipient of your ETA. Once shared, you can view that in Maps and stop sharing when you want.
CarKey is coming
Apple also took time during WWDC to announce CarKey. Carkey is a new way to lock, unlock, and start your car via your iPhone.Unlocking the BMW 5 Seriers with iPhone
As it was demoed, users can tap their iPhone against the door handle to lock or unlock the vehicle, then once inside, they can place their phone in the wireless charger and press the ignition button to start the vehicle.
Keys can be shared as well, including short temporary restricted access or full access through Messages.
Apple has packed iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11 Big Sur, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 with many new features so stay tuned to AppleInsider for all of our other content surrounding Apple's latest updates.
Comments
i hope Siri doesn’t do that warning all the time. In fact I would prefer she never does if the recipient is in your favourites list, or maybe even contacts.
Unlocking when you grab the handle with your phone in your pocket will work with devices which have the U1 (right now, only iPhone 11).
I'm interested in what would be involved in making a compatible lock system and retrofitting it to an existing car. Hopefully we will have more hard information soon.
Yawn.
Yes it would be great to have a Tesla style massive super screen. But these would be too expensive for most and IMO broad availability is more important.
TL;DR follows simply because I have this window open.
As a bit of an aside, I do not have a debit card, and never will. I don't need one, as I use a credit card for every purchase. The cash back to me is substantial. I make as many as 2-3 cash purchases a year, and about that number of checks written. By far the most number of transactions I make are at my grocery store. When Safeway started taking Apple Pay, it was very, very spotty - on the order of 3 out of 4 transactions would simply fail, and I'd get a blank look from the cashier. Out came the physical card, because a weekly grocery trip takes time and planning for me, and I do not want to walk away. Fortunately, that retailer now has a reliable system, and I can't recall a failure in recent times. But it did in the past, and i am prepared for it to do so again. But I like the security and speed of AP.
My personal opinion is that Apple and the tech gurus way overestimate the general population's ability to understand and use their tech. Yes, I was very interested and fascinated by the announcements Apple made at WWDC. To me it is quite entertaining. But there was very little there I found applicable to me. My experience with most people is that they want their phone to just do simple things reliably and quickly. They aren't the focal points of peoples lives like tech companies would have you believe. If you find a feature that makes your life better, great. I can see the car key thingy being attractive to people that share a car with many in a family. I can see lighting and security in a big home with many people coming and going. I can also see people walking around in an office all day with headphones on both as a way to have the music on they want, and having visible pods blocking out noice and as a way of telling others "go away." A commentor pointed how how cool his girlfriend thought a wallpaper change on the dash was and to her that was worth much quid. Useful to others, but I still curse every time I want to find a photo I took on my phone when I pull up the photos app on my mac. I do it so seldom, that it isn't ingrained in me where it appears. Don't even get me started on how many times a family member comes to me and says, "the document I made on my mac is now gone! My watch is always going off with stupid reminders I never asked for! How come I can't print? I need this to send now!" We were told this stuff would work, that our lives would be better, and then...it isn't when it doesn't.
What I'd *really* be interested to see on iPadOS is "moron mode." The ability to turn off all these "features" would be a godsend to many people. Yes, I get the iPad is going to be a productivity device for many. But for others, they will never use split mode, view in picture, use many screen gestures, all of that. Grandma wants to use email, look at Facebook, see pictures of the grandkids, and send messages. She will *never* get how to turn off group messages and will complain when people talk out of turn. Just turn all of that off for her. Make 3 Big Ass Buttons on the home page to do singular things. Done. Do it on iOS and macOS too. Yes, i suppose someone could set that up for grandma, but maybe...maybe...it could come out of the box that way when you buy it from Apple. It arrives, she presses on, and it ask, "what do you want this device to do?" She checks FB, mail, messages...and remembers you in her will. Perfect. Apple does this *so well* for accessibility options, but misses the most obvious need for accessibility: people that are Just Not Up To Understanding How Things Work For Them. And I include myself in that category at times.
So...I have this off my chest; thank you for your tolerance, and for AI for allowing this manifesto. YMMV. My best wishes to each of you in hopes that your choice in tech serves you well.
I love the idea you can send the 'key' to someone with varying limitations. Imagine being able to have friends or relatives pick up your car from an airport for example in an unexpected situation where you can't return as planned.