Apple CarPlay Gets a Major Revamp with Highly Customizable Displays

As technology advances in the infotainment systems inside electric vehicles (EVs), Apple gave the automotive landscape a glimpse into the future of in-car infotainment systems at their WWDC24 event, revealing the next generation of CarPlay with expanded capabilities and customization options.

Infotainment systems in vehicles, especially EVs have witness evolve in its process to include new technological features for a better user experience. As for Apple’s goal, its CarPlay system’s new updated design now makes it appears with similar functionalities and resemblance as the screen of a modern iPhone.

Notably, the biggest change is that Apple CarPlay will not only be able to take over the central infotainment screen, but also generate completely new gauge cluster and driver’s display layouts. As a result, this will allow automakers to design these displays to match their brand design with custom fonts, color schemes, graphics, and layouts. Automakers such as Porsche and Aston Martin are already working closely with Apple on this feature.

Moreover, users will also be able to customize their gauge cluster views, choosing minimalist or information-rich styles, where the speedometer design, number of ticks per mph, and associated graphics can all be customized. In addition, fuel levels, coolant temperature, drive modes, and other vehicle information will also have custom digital gauges.

Apple Human Interface Designer Ben Crick expressed on the new Apple CarPlay capabilities stating, “It’s the best of iPhone and the best of your car together in a unified consistent experience across all of the driver’s displays.”

One stand-out feature that relates entirely to EVs is that Apple CarPlay will have pop-up notifications for EV features including charge status and driver-assist camera views. As for users who require further assistance, CarPlay will integrate live driving aid graphics. For example, it will calculate the gap between your current and set speed for adaptive cruise control.

After years of Apple CarPlay not seeing changes in its static appearance and user experience, these enhancements present a major step forward in terms of visual flexibility and integration between smartphones and modern vehicle dashboards for most EVs. Although, GM has stated that it will not include Apple CarPlay in its future EV models. As the revamped Apple CarPlay aims to deliver a better user experience across all vehicle displays, the arrival of the system will be seen in new vehicles later in 2024.

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