A brand-new look for iOS 14. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
iOS 14 finally brings the ability to change your CarPlay wallpaper so that you don’t have to look at a blank background. Here’s how you can change yours in a few simple steps.
Google Maps fans can now get turn-by-turn directions on their Apple Watch. Photo: Cult of Mac/Google
A version of Google Maps for the Apple Watch starts rolling on Monday. The goal of this app is to allow users to navigate by car, bike, public transit or on foot, without having to look at an iPhone.
Also, Google Maps for Apple’s CarPlay Dashboard got some convenient new features today.
It's super-simple. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
You might have assumed it was impossible to capture a CarPlay screenshot; there’s no option for it in CarPlay itself, after all. But not only is it possible, it’s also incredibly easy.
You can share keys with Messages, too. Photo: Apple
Apple’s car-focused tech got a nifty update at WWDC, letting users start their cars with their iPhone. Announced Monday, Apple’s new CarKey digital car keys feature will allow you to unlock and start select vehicles using NFC technology.
Emily Schubert, Apple’s Engineering Manager for Car Experience showed off the feature, which promises to revolutionize the way you start your vehicle for the 21st century.
Don't settle for the default CarPlay layout. Photo: Sony
CarPlay makes it safe to use some of your favorite iPhone apps on the road, and by default, anything with CarPlay support will automatically appear in your car. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Simplify your experience and make CarPlay even easier to use by customizing your layout and ditching apps you don’t need.
Now all I need is the classic Porsche to go with it! Photo: Porsche
Want to feel like a 1960s spy? Fire up your vintage sports car, take to a winding road in the Swiss alps, and then call up information on your auto’s touchscreen control panel.
Such a thing, once firmly in the realm of fiction, is now possible thanks to a new line of CarPlay radios created by Porsche. Allowing you to kit out cars dating back to the 1960s with high-resolution touchscreens, Bluetooth, DAB+, and Apple’s in-car infotainment system, the head units opens up CarPlay to a whole new audience.
CarPlay: good for your infotainment system, not your reaction times. Photo: Sony
Using Apple’s CarPlay platform in its current state is worse for drivers’ reaction times than being high on weed, at the drink-drive legal limit, or texting behind the wheel, a new study claims.
IAM RoadSmart, the biggest road U.K. safety charity, analyzed the impact of various in-car distractions. While CarPlay may make the experience of using your car’s infotainment system more enjoyable, the group’s research concludes that it certainly won’t make you a better driver.
“The fundamental issue of these systems [is that they require] you to take your eyes off the road ahead,” Neil Greig, policy and research director for IAM RoadSmart, told Cult of Mac. However, Greig said steps could be taken to make systems like CarPlay safer.
Apple’s big iOS 14 update could bring CarPlay wallpapers for the first time — as well as more Maps improvements, a new report claimed Thursday.
These are the latest snippets in a series of leaks from unreleased iOS 14 code. They come less a week before Apple is scheduled to roll out iPadOS 13.4, another rather significant update that brings true trackpad support to iPad.
Apple’s CarPlay infotainment system is finally coming to all of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in North America thanks to a little help from Android.
Fiat Chrysler revealed its new Uconnect 5 platform for cars today that is five times faster than the previous version. FCA says Uconnect 5 was built with future growth in mind and comes with support for CarPlay along with Android Auto and Alexa. It’s basically the Swiss-army knife of in-dash infotainment systems.
A growing number of iPhone 11 owners are reporting audio issues and other strange glitches with wireless CarPlay.
All say the feature worked fine with previous devices, but after upgrading to the latest Apple handsets, they’ve been unable to avoid CarPlay problems. And Apple’s latest iOS updates don’t help.
BMW was the only automaker to charge for CarPlay. Photo: Apple
BMW has confirmed that it is ditching its ridiculous policy of charging an annual subscription fee for Apple’s CarPlay.
Yesterday, I wrote about how BMW was rumored to be getting rid of subscription fees in the UK. Now it seems that BMW has confirmed that the changes are confirmed. And, yes, they cover the US as well.
No other automotive has charged users a direct subscription fee for CarPlay. Photo: Sony
BMW might abandon its controversial policy of charging customers an annual fee to use Apple’s CarPlay platform in its vehicles, an automotive publication claims.
According to AutoCar, a BMW representative revealed that CarPlay will be free for life on its newest cars. Owners of older cars can pay a discounted fee in the region of $300 for a lifetime subscription.
Ford today confirmed it is bringing wireless CarPlay to select 2020 vehicles. It will be integrated the auto giant’s new SYNC 4 infotainment system with support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Spotify update we’ve been waiting for since the launch of iOS 13 has landed. The latest version of the app finally adds Siri support, so you can ask the virtual assistant to play artists, tracks, and more.
Amazon wants to move Alexa from the home into our cars. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Amazon is trying to move in on Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto by convincing carmakers to bake in Alexa as an in-car infotainment technology.
According to a new report, Amazon is scaling up its Echo Auto ambitions. It has already convinced BMW and Audi to adopt the tech. It is now supposedly trying to get other automakers to sign up as well.
BMW could ditch its pricey annual subscription cost for CarPlay Photo: Sony
Car infotainment systems have grown dramatically in size, and Sony promises one that allows people with older models to upgrade to an 8.95-inch screen. It supports Apple’s CarPlay, so the driver’s iPhone is ready to provide navigation, make calls or play music.
Test shows how much battery Dark Mode will save you on certain iPhones Photo: Apple
Developers received a fresh batch of new beta builds this morning in the form of iOS 13 beta 5. Apple seeded the new software updates just under two weeks after the last set of betas came out, bringing fresh changes to mouse support on iPad, smaller quick action menus and tons of bug fixes.
The all-new 16-inch MacBook Pro could be right around the corner... Photo: Apple
This week on The CultCast: A new report gives us a price tag and release date for the upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro. Then: A new hire signals that the Apple Car is far from dead; and there’s finally a way to get podcasts recommendations tailored just for you. Plus, stayed tuned for our favorite shows and Comic-Con trailer in an all-new What We’re Into!
Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
My cheap Kia came with CarPlay as standard. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
BMW has decided that it will charge customers an annual fee if they want to enjoy CarPlay in its newest vehicles.
It is the first car-maker to turn Apple’s platform into a subscription service. Most now include CarPlay as standard, or as an optional feature that lasts as long as the vehicle.
The new CarPlay Dashboard puts everything you need on your... dashboard. Photo: Apple
We’ve already extolled our excitement over CarPlay changes coming in iOS 13. But now that the beta season is well underway, we’ve had the chance to go fully hands on.
After taking it on a road trip, using it while commuting, and exploring the new features, this is our hands-on look at CarPlay in iOS 13.
A single iPhone dwarfs the Apollo Guidance Computer's processing power. Photo: NASA. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Fifty years after the Apollo moon mission, the leaps in mankind’s computing power continue to amaze. For instance, did you know an iPhone could manage 120 million moon missions at once?
Get the story behind that astonishing stat, plus the latest on CarPlay, FaceApp and the likely design of this year’s new iPhones, in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s jam-packed with all the Apple news, reviews and how-tos you can fit into your weekend. (Prefer to read in your browser? Get the headlines below.)
CarPlay moves into the fast lane in iOS 13. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple finally gives CarPlay some love in iOS 13, adding loads of new features and a much better user interface. The long-overdue upgrade shifts Apple’s in-car platform into high gear at last.
Find out everything new in CarPlay in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now from the iOS App Store. Or read the rest of the best Apple news, reviews and how-tos in your browser by clicking on the headlines below.
My cheap Kia came with CarPlay as standard. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
iOS 13 doesn’t just mean big improvements for your iPhone. Apple is making some pretty significant enhancements to CarPlay, too, including a brand-new dashboard and better apps.
Some of these great new CarPlay features are long overdue. Here’s everything you can expect from Apple’s in-car platform in iOS 13.
Spotify Stations is like your own personal radio station. Image: Spotify
Spotify has updated its Spotify Stations app with support for CarPlay. The app is intended to provide a radio station-like experience, which customizes itself to your tastes.
With its latest update, you no longer need to use your iPhone to access the app. If you’re a CarPlay user, you can do it right from your dash.