GoKawiilCarPlay in iOS 26.4 unlocked access to a new category of apps: third-party AI assistants like ChatGPT, which just shipped its new CarPlay app yesterday. Here’s why these new apps offer a glimpse at what to expect from iOS 27 and the new Siri.
iOS 26.4 brings AI chatbots to CarPlay, with ChatGPT available now
AI chatbots continue to increase in popularity. That’s reflected in the App Store top charts, which are consistently dominated by AI apps like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude.
Now with IOS 26.4, those AI chatbots can be taken on the road too thanks to CarPlay support.
This week ChatGPT became the first major AI player to ship a CarPlay app. It lets you interact with OpenAI’s assistant in a voice-only, conversational mode.
Even though I don’t often use voice to interact with AI chatbots, CarPlay will now start to change that for me.
There’s something very futuristic-feeling about getting to hold a conversation with an AI assistant while driving. Your focus can stay on the road, but you can actually get useful information and even stay productive in certain ways with AI’s help.
It’s great that Apple now allows AI apps in CarPlay. But what gets me even more excited is the foreshadowing of what’s reportedly coming in iOS 27.
Siri in iOS 27 should offer an even better CarPlay AI experience
After a long wait, all signs indicate that Siri will finally get a proper AI overhaul in iOS 27.
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