What to expect in Apple CarPlay in the upcoming iOS 14

A new dawn for Apple’s iOS is coming. The upcoming iOS 14 was announced at the recent 2020 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, and with it comes a flurry of updates that the cult of iPhone followers will surely enjoy. Yes, myself included.

As a motoring journalist, one of the things I enjoy fully is Apple CarPlay. In my usual car reviews, it’s always a huge plus for me whenever a vehicle in question comes with it. The convenience of this smartphone pairing enhances the whole driving experience – not to mention, the whole dashboard brightens up whenever I see Apple’s icons accentuating the dashboard.

That’s about to get better with the upcoming iOS 14. The fully revamped iPhone operating system will get CarPlay updates as well, and here’s a quick rundown of the things you should expect.

Apple CarPlay Wallpapers

Ever since Apple CarPlay’s first rollout, its background has always been either completely black or white. That won’t be the case in the upcoming iOS 14 update. For the first time, CarPlay will come with five colorful background options – a subtle but very welcome touch.

The new wallpapers are dynamic, as well, which means they adjust depending on the time of the day and whether the iPhone’s in Dark/Light mode. these five new can be accessed through the Settings app.

New Apps

Apart from the current roster of CarPlay apps, iOS 14 will introduce new apps that cater to EV charging, food ordering, and vehicle parking. Locations of EV charging stations will be fed as needed, as well as food ordering applications as you head to a specific restaurant. Available parking spots can also be accessed through these new apps.

Although, we must take note that these apps will probably be regional and will also depend on the developers. In the case of the Philippines, EV charging is yet to enter into mainstream action.

Maps Update

CarPlay will adopt the iOS 14 updates on the Maps app, which include information about red light and speed traffic cameras. EV charging stations will also be marked on Maps, including those that are compatible with your car. Talk about convenience and alleviating range anxiety.

Siri Update

Siri will have a new look in iOS 14, as is in Apple CarPlay. It will be sleeker and more robust than before, complementing the new look of the updated operating system.

In addition, Apple’s Siri will also be able to send voice messages – a trick that will be available on both iPhones and CarPlay. Just ask Siri to send a voice message and the recipient will hear your voice instead of reading a text message.

Siri will also work in conjunction with the Maps app, allowing it to send ETA, as well as location via iCloud sharing.

Apple CarKey

While the new CarKey isn’t exactly a CarPlay update, it’s worth mentioning that Apple will be rolling out the future of in-vehicle technology by taking it outside, before you even sit on the driver’s seat.

In a nutshell, Apple’s CarKey will allow users to use their iPhones in locking and unlocking their CarKey-enabled vehicles. Moreover, this feature is sharable through the Messages app – either short temporary restricted access or full access. Of note, BMW will be the first manufacturer to feature Apple CarKey.

Apple iOS 14 Availability

Apple hasn’t announced the availability of iOS 14 but historically, you can expect a rollout to users during the second week of September 2020.

Here are the devices that support the upcoming iOS 14 update:

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPod touch (7th generation)