Apple plans major CarPlay update with AI chatbots

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Apple is apparently planning another step to make CarPlay more accessible for modern AI applications. While AI chatbots have long been a standard feature on smartphones and computers, their use in cars has been limited until now. This is set to change with an upcoming iOS update. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is preparing to add support for third-party voice-controlled chatbot apps to CarPlay.

AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Gemini already have powerful voice modes. However, these apps currently reach clear limitations when used with Apple CarPlay. Their operation isn't optimally designed for in-vehicle use, and deep integration is lacking. Apple apparently intends to change this and open CarPlay to a new category of apps without compromising fundamental safety and system principles.

Apple will open CarPlay to AI chatbots

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is working on enabling CarPlay for voice-activated chatbot apps. These are expected to be officially supported in the coming months.

Currently, Apple only allows select app categories in CarPlay. These include navigation, entertainment, and communication. Allowing AI chatbots would create a new category and significantly expand CarPlay's functionality.

Significance for CarPlay and car manufacturers

The planned opening is considered a major update for CarPlay. This is primarily because many automakers are now integrating their own AI-powered voice functions directly into their vehicles. These systems operate independently of CarPlay and sometimes take over tasks that are covered by traditional voice assistants. By supporting third-party chatbots, Apple is apparently responding to this development without relinquishing control over its own system.

Siri remains central

Despite the new possibilities, Siri is not to be replaced. According to the report, Apple does not plan to elevate third-party chatbots to the level of the system-wide voice assistant. Instead, the focus is on providing an additional and safer way to interact with a new type of iPhone app via CarPlay.

Technical limitations remain. Neither the Siri button in CarPlay nor the wake word can be replaced by other voice assistants. To use a third-party chatbot, the corresponding app must be opened manually. Only then can its voice control be used. Apple thus retains full control over core system functions.

Regardless of Apple Intelligence and Siri upgrade

According to reports, the planned CarPlay integration is not directly related to Apple's own AI initiatives. The company is simultaneously working on improving Siri as part of Apple Intelligence, reportedly using technology from Google Gemini in the background.

Apple is expected to release the first version of Siri based on Gemini with iOS 26.4. The exact release date for the CarPlay update is currently unclear. The report does not mention either iOS 26 or iOS 27 as a specific date.

Preview of iOS 27 and new Siri features

Apple will officially unveil iOS 27 a few months later, likely in June. According to Mark Gurman, the company also plans a more comprehensive overhaul of Siri for this development cycle. Specific chatbot features for Siri, going beyond its current capabilities, are expected to be announced later this year.

Apple is adapting CarPlay to the AI transformation in vehicles

Apple is apparently preparing to gradually open CarPlay to third-party AI chatbots. The system will remain clearly regulated, Siri will retain its central role, and security-relevant functions will not be enabled. At the same time, Apple is responding to the growing influence of AI in vehicles and the increasing number of proprietary solutions from automakers. If the update is released as planned, CarPlay would gain significant functionality without altering its fundamental structure. (Image: Shutterstock / Gabriel Nica)