It’s that time of year again. Apple fans are gearing up for the release of the new iPhone, Apple Watch, and more, but the company also officially rolls out its annual operating system update around this time. This year, it’s iOS 18, and with it comes a host of upgrades for Apple CarPlay that will bring new assistance and accessibility features.
People with newer iPhones (15 Pro or later) can get the updates, though some won’t be available until update 18.1. They will gain new Apple Intelligence features with AI assistance. Siri has new animations, and the CarPlay display screen will pulse when the feature is active. The Messages app will also display a photo when interacting with one of your phone’s contacts.
Apple is also introducing new accessibility features, similar to the tech offered with the iPhone. They include color filters to help color-blind people and adjustable text with more robust voice commands. The new Sound Recognition feature can “hear” sirens and horns to sound an alert for the driver.
While General Motors cut CarPlay from its new EVs, other automakers continue offering the popular technology. Last year, Apple said that 79 percent of new car buyers would only consider a vehicle if it came with the feature, and the ability to overlay a familiar interface over automakers’ sometimes confusing infotainment systems is a significant benefit for many.
[Images: Hadrian, Vladimka production via Shutterstock]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
