CarPlay has just added three new functions with iOS 18.4

Even if CarPlay 2 work continues to chug, Apple has slowly added new functions to the existing car play. Carplay received some Apple Intelligence improvements last autumn, and Ford EV owners recently won NACS routing. With iOS 18.4 there are now three more new CarPlay functions that have just arrived.

#1: Third row of app symbols

One of the complicated things on the CarPlay is that it has to adapt to a wide range of infotainment systems for vehicles.

Fortunately, iOS 18.4 brings with it a nice improvement for vehicles with particularly large displays.

Users in the beta found that CarPlay achieved a third row of app symbols on certain screen sizes, in which they only supported two.

This additional screen property for apps fits well with this next CarPlay supplement …

#2: Sports apps

Apple has made app developers available a new API that brings sport apps on CarPlay.

From iOS 18.4, apps that show sports values ​​can be integrated into CarPlay. In this way you can stay up to date on how your favorite team works in the car.

It could take some time for sports apps to officially add CarPlay support, but we hope that we will soon receive a CarPlay update for the Apple Sports app.

#3: Standard navigation in the EU

IOS 18.4 brought a long-awaited new option for EU users: the opportunity to set a standard navigation app.

This is correct instead of relying on Apple Maps, users in the EU can set alternatives such as Google Maps as a default setting.

This change should have a major impact on the CarPlay experience.

Why? Since it means that you can say Siri, “bring me to X” and the assistant uses the selected navigation app to forward it. Fast, seamless and easy-to-precise how voice computing should be in the car.

CarPlay iOS 18.4 Functions: Completion

The latest updates from CarPlay may not be for everyone – if the display of your vehicle is small and you are outside the EU, this list shrinks very quickly – but you are still welcome.

While we are still waiting for CarPlay 2, everything Apple can do to further improve the existing CarPlay can win in my book. In this light, iOS 18.4 is a firm step on the right track.

What do you think about the new CarPlay functions of iOS 18.4? Let us know in the comments.

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