Here’s What to Expect from CarPlay and iOS 10 This Year

With Apple’s keynote announcements out of the way, there’s a lot of big software changes coming to Apple devices; including updates to MacOS (formerly known has OS X), iOS, tvOS, and even watchOS. Wondering if these updates affect CarPlay? The answer is yes.

So what’s new with CarPlay?

When iOS 10 is released, it will add the ability to remove some apps from the CarPlay screen, writes Zac Hall from 9to5Mac, including iBooks, Podcasts, and third-party apps. “For example, you could remove Apple’s Podcasts app and instead use Overcast for podcast playback. Or you could use Apple Music but have Spotify installed on your iPhone and not show up on CarPlay,” he writes.

Hall mentions another new feature for CarPlay on iOS 10, is the ability to move around apps just like on the iPhone. Users will have to go to Settings > General > CarPlay, select their car on their phone, and then press and hold on the app to customize the apps location.

There will also be an updated version of Apple Music, emphasizing the user’s library and implementing better navigation practices, he continues. “The navigation tabs change from For You, New, Radio, Playlists, and My Music to Library, For You, Browse, Radio, and Now Playing,” writes Hall. “You can edit the Library section on Music in iOS 10 to only show categories you use to find your music. For example, I use Artists, Albums, Songs, and Playlists in that order instead of Playlists on top and a Downloaded Music section at the bottom. Changing this on the iPhone reflects the same on CarPlay.”

Siri’s improvements will help CarPlay to use apps like Skype and Facebook Messenger because CarPlay will integrate with third-party VoIP technologies. One final new feature for CarPlay will be support for ultra-wide screens and instrument clusters. Hall makes it clear that not all of these features will be available on every car that supports CarPlay. Automakers will have to provide the right hardware and designs to allow all the features of CarPlay.

Here’s a short list of the newest cars that have, or will soon have, CarPlay:

• Acura 2017 NSX
• Audi 2017 A4, Q2, Q7
• GMC 2016 Canyon, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
• Honda 2016 Accord and Civic, 2017 Ridgeline
• Hyundai 2016 Sonata, 2017 Elantra and IONIQ
• Kia 2016 Optima, 2017 Cadenza and Forte
• Several more models will include CarPlay from automakers like Lincoln, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Ford.

There are a few positive changes coming to CarPlay with iOS 10. Having the ability to delete certain apps or moving them around the home screen is a relatively unexciting yet welcome addition. And Siri’s improvements mean that users have more ability to speak to apps to use them more safely in the car.

Are you excited for CarPlay? Let us know in the comments below.