It didn't have much time during WWDC, but CarPlay will ramp up its features this fall as part of iOS 15. Here are some of the new features announced
iOS 15 CarPlay - Car keys
In iOS 15, Apple is improving the capabilities of virtual car keys. CarKey can now use Apple's ultra-wideband U1 chip found in newer devices. This spatial capability ensures that the car can never be started without the phone in the vehicle and that the doors will never close with the phone inside.
CarKey was originally introduced with iOS 14.
Of course, the support of the car manufacturers will be needed to develop the keys for the different models and, so far, BMW is the only partner announced.
iOS 15 CarPlay - Focus on driving
Focus is a completely new feature in iOS 15, but "driving" is a category of its own. With Focus, you can set up personalized notifications based on activity, whether it's driving, sleeping, working or personal time. This will replace Do Not Disturb, which was the one used until this update.
Users can automatically turn Driving Focus on or off when connected to the car's Bluetooth, turn it on or off manually or when CarPlay is on.
Focus, including the driving category, you can limit which notifications to enter. For example, while driving, I just want my wife to be able to contact me and I only want my security apps or smart home to be able to send notifications.
iOS 15 CarPlay - Wallpapers
Apple will offer four new wallpapers as part of iOS 15 for CarPlay. All four resemble the default wallpaper for iOS 15 found on the iPhone and iPad.
Each of these wallpapers has a dark and light version. CarPlay can automatically switch between light and dark modes based on the time of day, or you can set them to dark mode.
iOS 15 CarPlay - More Features
Some features that Apple won't have ready in time for the initial release of iOS 15 are, for example, Siri's ability to announce your messages as soon as they arrive. This feature also works with AirPods and reduces the need for drivers to interact with their infotainment system while on the road. Users can listen to Siri and respond hands-free.
Apple says it will arrive later this year in a subsequent update to iOS 15.
Likewise, Apple is also saying that the revamped Maps experience will come after the release of iOS 15. The new Maps app will have far more detail than it does now. "Explore cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and London in unprecedented detail in elevation, streets, trees, buildings, landmarks and more" is how Apple describes it.
Coming this fall
Apple is set to release iOS 15 to the masses this fall as a free software update for iPhone users. The changes to CarPlay are just a small subset of countless new features making their debut.
