WWDC 2026 gave us iOS 27, and most of the attention was on the rebuilt next-generation Siri. But CarPlay also picked up a handful of changes that should make your daily commute a lot more interesting.
Here's what's coming:
- Video apps: Developers can build CarPlay apps that let users browse and play video on the car's display, while apps that support AirPlay video can stream content from an iPhone. Video playback is limited to when the vehicle is parked.
- Siri AI: Apple's more conversational Siri experience comes to CarPlay, using personal context to answer questions in a chatbot-style format, such as recalling a trailhead recommended by a friend. The feature requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
- Audio scrubbing: The Now Playing interface now includes a progress bar, allowing users to jump to a specific point in a song or podcast.
- GPS and heading: Apple says it has improved location accuracy and navigation heading detection.
- Audio mini-player: A new mini-player keeps media controls accessible while users navigate apps outside the primary media category.
- Wireless reliability: Apple says wireless CarPlay connections are now more reliable.
- New wallpapers: CarPlay gains a collection of new wallpapers featuring wavy designs in multiple colors, with both light and dark variants. The designs are based on the default wallpapers found in macOS 27 and iOS 27.
The new CarPlay features will arrive in September when Apple releases iOS 27 to the general public. Until then, the first developer beta is already available, and Apple says it will release a public beta in July.
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology
