CarPlay is normally the bridge between a modern vehicle and an iPhone, and Apple has rolled out what it calls the “latest next-generation infotainment system”. It’s simply called CarPlay Ultra which has begun its gradual rollout, with the US and Canada being the first countries to get it. Limiting access even further though is that, fir the current stage of the rollout, it is only available with new Aston Martin cars.
Apple says that CarPlay Ultra “provides information for all the driver’s screens” while also “offering drivers a customisable experience”. By default, you get access to all of the tools from the vehicle’s default infotainment system, retaining each brand’s look and feel, which you can later switch up if you so desire.
Beyond that, you can combine what you see in your instrument cluster with content on your iPhone via widgets. Navigation apps come immediately to mind in terms of practical uses. Similarly, the integration means you can get Siri to manage car features like radio or even performance settings.
As mentioned, Apple CarPlay Ultra is currently only available in the US and Canada, and only for new orders of the core Aston martin line up. Those who are already owners of eligible cars from the brand can gat it later via software update. Availability “will expand to include vehicles globally in the next 12 months”, with Hyundai and Kia also being specifically mentioned in the announcement. All this is presuming you have an iPhone 12 or later, running iOS 18.5 or newer.
(Source: Apple)
