5 modifications in iOS 26 CarPlay that may make me (and also you) higher drivers

One thing I have been more and more targeted on, writing-wise, is drawing consideration to OS updates that make a day-to-day distinction reasonably than simply seize headlines. With iOS 26, for instance, Apple desires you to pay loads of consideration to its Liquid Glass makeover — however when you’re previous the novelty, it is options like Call Screening and Hold Assist which may genuinely make your life higher. I needn’t see just a few hundred additional pixels below a tab bar, however I do want to discourage spammers from interrupting me whereas I work.

Simply inside CarPlay, there is a assortment of each superficial and significant modifications coming this fall. Those beneath are issues I already know may have a sensible impression, since they handle issues I cope with very continuously in iOS 18.

1

Compact name notifications

Vastly overdue

Apple

For no matter purpose, telephone calls in all of the previous variations of CarPlay have taken over your sprint show. I get that calls require quick consideration, and that it may be tough to faucet icons when you drive. However that is not a lot consolation if you’re navigating an unfamiliar space, then end up unable to see an upcoming flip as a result of your dad and mom determined to check out you, or your associate is reminding you to cost up on the best way again residence.

In iOS 26, incoming calls are displayed the best way they all the time ought to have been — as a small pop-up with caller ID and fast motion buttons. The look of that is much like the best way calls arrive in iOS 18’s Dynamic Island. On bigger shows, it ought to be exceedingly simple to observe turn-by-turn instructions.

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2

Higher incident reporting in Apple Maps

Together with the plain

Sleepsomatics

Top-of-the-line additions to Google Maps in recent times is user-submitted incident reporting, a la Waze (which Google owns). It isn’t all the time correct — I have been warned about development that is been silent for hours — however when it’s on the mark, it may be an enormous time-saver, giving me a chance to take a detour. I might reasonably cope with phantom development crews often than have some journeys take twice as lengthy.

Apple Maps has had its personal incident reporting for some time, however curiously restricted. Even in iOS 18, the one choices are Crash, Pace Examine, Roadwork, or the generic “Hazard.” With iOS 26, CarPlay will lastly parallel Google Maps a bit higher, together with selections like street closures and a very powerful one, site visitors. I used to reside in Austin, the place extreme congestion on I-35 or MoPac might simply double or triple my commute time if I obtained caught in it. Getting caught in Houston site visitors is a nightmare.

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3

Tapbacks in Messages

Quicker than a voice reply

Apple

CarPlay’s messaging features have all the time felt a little bit fraught to me. Certain, I might reasonably have voice dictation over an onscreen keyboard or nothing in any respect, however that dictation usually needs to be rigorously phrased. Should you do not insert punctuation, or phrases that Siri cannot mess up, the individual on the different finish of a dialog can find yourself confused, or questioning why you are being so chilly and matter-of-fact.

Tapbacks aren’t a cure-all for this, significantly since there’s solely a restricted variety of them. However after they’re related to a dialog, they’re fast and unambiguous. Certainly, it ought to really be quicker to hit the thumbs-up icon in your show that claims one thing like “sounds good exclamation mark” and ensure your message.

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There’s extra to know on-the-go than calendars

Apple

When Apple revealed its “next-generation” CarPlay in 2022 — now lastly accessible in 2025 as CarPlay Extremely — one of many key options it launched was assist for a larger number of widgets. In iOS 18’s vanilla CarPlay, you may usually see simply 4 widget sorts: navigation, audio, calendar occasions, and HomeKit. That is normally sufficient, however for Extremely, Apple wished to increase this to issues like clocks, automotive controls, and the climate. It is presupposed to take over each show in your sprint, in spite of everything.

Most of us will not have entry to Extremely anytime quickly, however we’ll at the very least get a pattern of that widget choice in iOS 26. The truth is, a very new widget kind is coming: Stay Actions. Should you’re racing to catch a flight from Austin to Portland, you’ll be able to see a real-time ETA, letting you recognize if it’s essential to flooring it to achieve the airport on time. Apple hasn’t detailed what kind of Stay Actions might be supported, however chances are you’ll even be capable of see when your Instacart supply is due, which might be very helpful for individuals like myself.

There’s an opportunity CarPlay will not filter something. By default, all iOS 26 widgets are presupposed to work with CarPlay, and a few customers would possibly get upset if Apple decides what their priorities are. I simply hope I will be capable of toggle widgets individually, if that is the case. You will at the very least be capable of disable Stay Actions as a gaggle.

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5

Good Show Zoom

Not one-size-fits-all

Apple

Newer variations of iOS 18 let drivers cram extra CarPlay icons onscreen if they’ve a big sprint show. Often, although, that solely advantages individuals with state-of-the-art automobiles, typically solely at the most costly trims. Many people are nonetheless rocking 7- or 8-inch shows, which restrict you to 2 rows of 4 homescreen icons.

The Good Show Zoom choice matches extra onto your homescreen by shrinking icons. Even higher, it matches extra content material into widgets and apps, as an example, displaying extra detailed instructions in Apple Maps, or extra episodes in Apple Podcasts. If you’re lucky sufficient to have a big touchscreen, chances are you’ll get to see extra widgets concurrently — image going from only a clock and the climate to together with your EV’s estimated battery vary.

I say choice as a result of Good Show Zoom is at the moment off by default. That is sensible — some drivers would possibly discover its buttons and textual content too small for his or her liking, even when their street imaginative and prescient is simply positive.

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