Apple has not yet announced an electric car, but it is all set to adopt car dashboards.
In a keynote address at the 2022 World Wide Developers Conference on Monday, Apple previews the next generation of Apple CarPlay, along with iOS 16 for the iPhone. Spoiler: Your car’s gauge cluster will now be integrated with your iPhone.
iOS 16 is the next generation Apple CarPlay preview
iOS 16 is the next generation Apple CarPlay preview
iOS 16 is the next generation Apple CarPlay preview
iOS 16 is the next generation Apple CarPlay preview
The next generation of CarPlay will allow your iPhone to capture instrument clusters by communicating in real time with a secure connection to monitor real-time vehicle systems. Apple noted that the data that can be displayed in gauge clusters includes navigation, speed, RPM, fuel level and outside temperature.
iOS 16 CarPlay will bring widgets from your iPhone to your car’s infotainment screen and gauge cluster.
Apple has shown different versions of the gauge cluster as examples, the designs will range from the traditional looking round gauge to the modern bar graph. Colors, backgrounds and dial treatment can also be changed.
Customers can add widgets to center screens and gauge clusters. Apple says the system can automatically adapt to different screen sizes to work with different vehicles.
Automaker Partner with Apple for iOS 16 CarPlay 7
Apple has shared a list of automotive partners including Land Rover, Mercedes, Benz, Porsche, Nissan, Ford, Lincoln, Audi, Jaguar, Acura, Volvo, Honda, Renault, Infiniti and Polyester. The specific vehicles in which the system will appear will be announced next year.
The iOS 16 operating system also includes updates to Apple Maps, including multi-stop routing capable of up to 15 stops.
The last big CarPlay update came two years ago with iOS 14 featuring digital car keys. That feature has not yet been completely discontinued, as automakers use CarPlay to implement this function through their own proprietary app.
Apple says 98% of cars sold in the U.S. today have Apple CarPlay, and Tesla and Revian noted that 79% of U.S. buyers will only consider a car with CarPlay. Apple has not noticed where the information came from.