Apple is elevating its automotive ecosystem with the introduction of CarPlay Ultra, a significant enhancement over its current CarPlay system.
Launching alongside Aston Martin, this new edition goes beyond simply projecting applications; it reinvents the whole digital dashboard as an iPhone-driven interface.
Starting from the driver’s screen all the way to climate controls and driving modes, CarPlay Ultra enables motorists to utilize the complete Apple interface throughout various in-vehicle systems.
It goes beyond being merely smarter; it offers an experience that is more immersive, more reactive, and highly customized.
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More Than Just Music and Maps
With CarPlay Ultra, your iPhone becomes the brain behind your car’s infotainment.
The system enables Apple Maps to display directly within the driver’s instrument cluster, with essential vehicle information such as battery levels, range, and climate controls accessible through the recognizable iOS interface for monitoring and adjustment purposes.
Each car manufacturer will be able to customize the look and feel to match their brand identity, ensuring that the Apple-powered experience still feels native to the vehicle.
The system requires an iPhone 12 or newer and will only run on iOS 18.5 or later, according to Mobilsiden .
Apple vs. Google in the Car Tech Race
CarPlay Ultra ventures into a crowded market already claimed by Android Automotive, which provides comparable deep integration yet operates natively within the vehicle’s internal systems. In contrast, Apple takes a different path with CarPlay Ultra; it continues to rely on your iPhone to deliver the complete experience, essentially streaming it into the car through the device.
However, Apple's edge might come from familiarity. To countless iPhone owners, CarPlay Ultra expands the environment they interact with daily—now seamlessly integrated into their driving experience.
"CarPlay Ultra turns your vehicle into a seamless part of your iPhone experience," stated an Apple spokesperson at the unveiling event.
The initial deployment of CarPlay Ultra will start with Aston Martin vehicles in the United States and Canada. However, Apple has stated that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis will be the following brands to integrate this technology.
So far, there hasn’t been an official announcement regarding when European models will receive the update.
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