Experimenting with Apple's revolutionary CarPlay Ultra in-car info system
Straight from the horse's mouth, here's the lowdown on Apple's newest ride—the CarPlay Ultra.
Three years in the making, this system has finally hit the road, starting with only Aston Martin drivers of the DB12, DBX, Vantage, and Vanquish models. But fear not, fellow motorists, more car brands are supposedly jumping on the CarPlay Ultra bandwagon in the near future. I've taken it for a spin in an Aston Martin DBX707, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer.
From the moment I stepped inside, it was clear that this wasn't the same old CarPlay experience. Since my iPhone was already paired with the car, CarPlay Ultra sprang to life instantaneously. It's permanently integrated into both the car's touchscreen and the driver display from the moment the engine starts, so everything feels sleek and seamless, without a hint of any other software.
Aston Martin did the initial pairing, but if it hadn't, the setup process is said to be quick and painless. Connect your iPhone via cable, then download a set of custom imagery specifically designed for that car model. In my case, this meant Aston Martin-inspired dials that matched the DBX707's interior.
There are three main features to discuss:
- Controls for climate and media settings have been brought into CarPlay's own user interface. No more exiting CarPlay to adjust the radio station or tweak cabin temperature! Cabin temperature is always visible on the touchscreen, and adjustments are just a tap away.
- Aston Martin's unique, vehicle-specific menus now appear within CarPlay's user interface, thanks to Apple's clever "punch-through" technique. This means drivers never have to leave the CarPlay environment, regardless of the vehicle function they want to access or adjust.
- For the first time, Apple's user interface now graces the driver display. Directions from Apple Maps (and Waze, but not Google Maps, as of now) are displayed right behind the steering wheel, and the driver display can switch to display instructions for the next navigation step when a passenger takes control of the road trip playlist.
By default, the driver display still looks like an Aston Martin's usual graphics, but with a quick swipe of the touchpad on the steering wheel, everything transforms. Swipes up or down reveal functions for the center of the driver display, including screens for journey data, media, and navigation. A swipe left or right changes the entire driver display layout, offering different visual configurations. There are several distinct layout options, some designed by Aston Martin and some by Apple.
In terms of user experience, it's a significant upgrade that brings the most commonly used vehicle features, such as radio and temperature control, into the CarPlay environment. However, it might not be the best demonstration for Aston Martins since they all come with physical switchgear for climate control and drive modes. But for cars that rely on touchscreens for everything, it should make adjustments quicker, easier, and safer.
New for CarPlay Ultra is the addition of widgets like clocks, calendars, weather forecasts, and home automation controls on the touchscreen, such as driveway lights or a compatible garage door opener. Siri has been updated to work with the car's climate and radio functions, as well as more advanced, vehicle-specific features like sound system configurations and performance settings. But alas, for now, Siri is still far from the artificial intelligence we expect in 2025.
As of this writing, CarPlay Ultra is only available for new Aston Martin vehicles. For those who already own a compatible Aston Martin, an update will become available soon. The rollout has already begun in the U.S. and Canada, and will expand globally within the next 12 months. Other manufacturers working on CarPlay Ultra include Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, Renault, Porsche, and Volvo. However, specific models and release dates have yet to be announced. Just remember, you'll need an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 to take advantage of CarPlay Ultra. Happy driving!
In the CarPlay Ultra experience, the integration of smartphones is evident as it permanently connects with the car's touchscreen and driver display, providing a seamless control of climate and media settings through a user interface that resembles gadgets like smartphones. Additionally, Apple's user interface now extends to the driver display, featuring widgets for useful information such as weather forecasts, making the technology within the vehicle more accessible and interactive.
