GoKawiiliOS 26.4 recently gave CarPlay two new features, while also laying the groundwork for another big upgrade coming soon.
#1: AI voice assistant apps
AI chatbots can do more now than ever, but those capabilities have historically been inaccessible when driving.
iOS 26.4 changes that by unlocking support for a new category of CarPlay apps: ‘voice-based conversational apps.’
CarPlay has always been restricted to only allow certain categories of apps. And in iOS 26.4, Apple has added a new category that will allow AI chatbots to live in CarPlay.
ChatGPT and Perplexity recently rolled out dedicated CarPlay apps that let you interact with those assistants while driving. We’re expecting similar debuts from Google Gemini and Claude in the not-too-distant future.
Apple has certain requirements to ensure safety on the road. For example, AI apps must center around voice interactions, and are unable to show text or imagery so as to minimize distractions. You also can’t replace Siri as your default AI assistant, at least for now.
But allowing native AI chatbot apps in CarPlay is still a big development for users who regularly interact with third-party AI assistants.
#2: Ambient Music widget
In iOS 26, Apple brought iPhone-style widgets to CarPlay for the first time. They provide glanceable information like weather conditions, your Reminders to-dos, access to HomeKit accessories, and more.
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