GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple's updated developer agreement confirms that third-party iOS widgets already built for CarPlay will also appear on HomeView, its newly unveiled smart display device. Developers must ensure widgets are safe for hands-free use and can exclude them via the disfavoredLocations function if unsuitable. Unlike CarPlay's audio/video app categories, widget support spans any iOS app category by default.
Apple's updated CarPlay Developer Guide reveals that third-party video apps like YouTube and Netflix can appear on HomeView, but only if developers add support for CarPlay's video app entitlement. HomeView lacks an App Store, so compatibility hinges on this existing CarPlay framework rather than separate HomeView-specific development.
A technology explainer outlines why smartphones running CarPlay or Android Auto often heat up during drives. Contributing factors include wireless charging, direct sunlight or heater vents, simultaneous use of GPS navigation, streaming audio, and background apps, plus the combined load of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular radios running at once in wireless setups.
Apple's Dynamic Island, introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro to house Face ID sensors alongside the camera, displays Live Activities for timers, navigation, music, sports scores and supported third-party apps. Users can check and enable Live Activities per app under Settings > Apps, and ensure they appear on the Lock Screen via Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
Milepost is an indie iOS, Mac and CarPlay app that automatically logs drives—route, distance, speed, time and weather—and lets users add notes, photos and Apple Music history to build shareable 'roadbooks.' It includes a social network for sharing trips and cars, Siri/Shortcuts/CarPlay support, and an MCP server for trip planning with AI agents.
Apple's iOS 27 rollout introduces significant CarPlay enhancements, including the integration of Siri AI for more natural voice commands, a persistent Now Playing MiniPlayer with an audio scrubber, and new wallpapers. The update also improves navigation accuracy and wireless stability, aiming to make in-car entertainment and control more reliable and user-friendly. Support for video apps is anticipated in a future release.
Users can now add, remove, and organize widgets for CarPlay through the Settings app on their iPhone. The process involves selecting options under General > CarPlay, enabling widget display, and choosing preferred widgets from compatible apps. Additional automation features like Smart Rotate and Widget Suggestions enhance the widget experience while driving.
Pairing a phone with a rental car's entertainment system via Bluetooth can prompt a sync of contacts and other data, which may be stored on the vehicle's infotainment system indefinitely unless manually deleted. Using a USB cable with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead offers encrypted connections that don't expose this data. Rental companies like Avis state in their policies that customers are responsible for removing their own data and that the company isn't liable for information left behind.
Dynamic Lyrics, a third-party app, displays time-synced song lyrics on a car's infotainment screen via Apple CarPlay once linked to Apple Music or Spotify. Unlocking the feature permanently costs a one-time $9.99 fee, and users need iOS 26 to enable it on CarPlay.
Twelve South has launched Airfly Drive, a small USB adapter that converts factory-wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay. It plugs into a car's USB-A or USB-C port, pairs with a phone without any app or account, and automatically reconnects each time the car starts. The device supports two paired phones with one-button switching and is priced at $39.99 in black or white.
Twelve South has launched Airfly Drive, a small USB dongle that converts wired CarPlay connections into wireless ones. The device plugs into a car's USB-A or USB-C port, pairs once with a phone, and then reconnects automatically each time the car starts, with support for switching between two paired phones. It's available now for $39.99 in black or white, and also works with Android Auto.
Apple allows users in the EU and Japan to set Google Maps as their default navigation app via Settings > Apps > Default Apps, making it open automatically through Siri or CarPlay. Users outside those regions can still use Google Maps in CarPlay but must manually launch it or append phrases like 'on Google Maps' to Siri requests to bypass Apple Maps.