CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay
(May 15, 2025) Apple today officially unveiled its highly anticipated next-generation in-car infotainment system — CarPlay Ultra.
The first vehicles to feature CarPlay Ultra will be new Aston Martin models in the United States and Canada (yes, that ultra-luxurious brand). Existing eligible Aston Martin owners won't need to feel "envious or jealous" as they can also "happily receive" the new system through software updates in the coming weeks.
"Beyond Screen Mirroring": Deep Integration Brings New Features to the Instrument Panel!
The core highlight of CarPlay Ultra is its "epic-level" deep integration with vehicle systems. It has evolved far beyond the traditional concept of projecting iPhone apps onto the central control screen. Instead, it can provide rich content for all screens within the driver's field of vision, including the crucial instrument panel. This means that essential driving information such as speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge will all be presented with dynamic and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. Even cooler is that this information can seamlessly integrate with navigation guidance from your iPhone, media playback information, as well as the vehicle's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) status, tire pressure monitoring, and other data—all displayed together on the instrument panel for truly unified, efficient, and "at-a-glance" information.
Additionally, drivers can control common vehicle functions such as the car radio and climate system directly through CarPlay Ultra's touch screen, the vehicle's physical buttons, or even Siri voice assistant. More impressively, advanced features and personalized settings for specific vehicle models—like fine-tuning the sound system or switching driving modes—can also be easily accomplished within the CarPlay interface, bringing unprecedented smoothness and convenience. Furthermore, CarPlay Ultra introduces new widget functionality powered by the iPhone. These widgets perfectly adapt to the layout of car screens or instrument panels, making key information immediately visible—isn't that "super cool"?
- "One Car, One Style": Showcasing the Unique Design Appeal of Each Car Brand
Apple emphasizes that CarPlay Ultra is not a "one-size-fits-all" standardized system. Instead, it fully respects and allows automakers to showcase their unique brand design philosophies and the visual styles that users expect. The CarPlay Ultra theme for each vehicle model is the result of close collaboration and careful refinement between Apple's design team and the car manufacturer's design team, aiming to bring users an exclusive, custom-tailored premium experience. At the same time, drivers can personalize the theme's color scheme and wallpaper according to their preferences, creating their own "mobile cockpit" and making every journey feel fresh.
In addition to Aston Martin as the "first team member," Apple also revealed that several globally renowned automakers, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, have also "officially announced" their joining of the CarPlay Ultra camp. It's foreseeable that as CarPlay Ultra technology gradually expands and becomes more widespread, future in-car infotainment systems will no longer be merely cold machines, but will truly become intelligent, thoughtful, and fun "second living spaces" for drivers.
