Get ready for a whole new way to connect your iPhone with your car! Apple is rolling out CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of its popular in-car system, and it’s starting with Aston Martin vehicles. This isn’t just a minor update; CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated experience that truly brings the best of your iPhone and the best of your car together.
Starting today, if you’re ordering a new Aston Martin in the U.S. or Canada, you’ll have access to CarPlay Ultra. For those who already own a compatible Aston Martin with the brand’s latest infotainment system, a software update will be available soon. What makes CarPlay Ultra so exciting is its ability to provide information across all your car’s screens, including the instrument cluster. It seamlessly blends real-time content and gauges, all while adopting the unique look and feel of your car’s brand. Plus, you’ll have plenty of customisation options to make it truly yours. And it’s not just Aston Martin; major automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are also on board to bring CarPlay Ultra to their drivers.
Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, emphasised how much iPhone users love CarPlay and how it’s already changed how we interact with our vehicles. He highlighted that with CarPlay Ultra, Apple and automakers are “reimagining the in-car experience,” making it more unified and consistent. Borchers noted that this new generation offers a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car, while deeply integrating with the vehicle’s systems and maintaining each automaker’s unique aesthetic. He expressed excitement about launching with Aston Martin, calling it “just the beginning.”
A Seamless Connection Like Never Before
CarPlay Ultra offers an unprecedented level of integration. It extends iPhone content to every screen the driver sees, including the instrument cluster. Imagine dynamic and beautifully rendered speedometers, tachometers, fuel gauges, and temperature gauges, all designed to match your car’s interior perfectly. This creates a consistent visual experience across your entire dashboard. You’ll be able to see information directly from your iPhone, like maps and media playback details, alongside crucial car data such as advanced driver assistance system alerts and tire pressure readings, all conveniently displayed in your instrument cluster.
Controlling your vehicle also becomes more intuitive. You can use the car’s touchscreen, physical buttons, or even Siri to manage standard functions like the radio and climate control. But it goes further: CarPlay Ultra lets you access advanced, vehicle-specific features, such as audio system configurations or performance settings, directly from the CarPlay interface. This creates a much smoother and more fluid interaction with your car. Plus, CarPlay Ultra introduces handy widgets, powered by your iPhone, that are designed to fit perfectly onto your car’s screens or gauge cluster, providing key information at a glance.
Tailored Design for Every Automaker
One of the most impressive aspects of CarPlay Ultra is its commitment to automaker individuality. It allows each car brand to express its distinct design philosophy, ensuring that the in-car experience feels like a natural extension of the vehicle itself. Apple collaborates closely with each automaker’s design team to craft custom themes that are truly tailor-made for specific vehicles. On top of that, drivers can personalise these themes even further by choosing their preferred colours and wallpapers to match their personal style.
Adrian Hallmark, CEO of Aston Martin, shared his enthusiasm, stating that Aston Martin is “delighted” to be the first to launch CarPlay Ultra. He highlighted that Aston Martin’s focus on world-leading performance extends beyond traditional attributes like powertrains and craftsmanship. Hallmark views CarPlay Ultra as a clear example of their dedication to collaborating with top companies to bring unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities to their customers. He believes that CarPlay Ultra will enhance Aston Martin’s existing infotainment system by offering additional functionality and personalisation, positioning the brand at the forefront of automotive infotainment.
It’s important to note that CarPlay Ultra builds upon the foundation of the original CarPlay, which is already a beloved feature for drivers worldwide, fundamentally changing how people safely and smartly use their iPhones in the car. Just like with standard CarPlay, all the rigorous privacy measures built into your iPhone also apply to CarPlay Ultra, ensuring your data remains secure.
Availability and Compatibility
- The rollout of CarPlay Ultra begins today in the U.S. and Canada for new Aston Martin vehicle orders. Over the next 12 months, the experience will expand to include vehicles globally. For existing Aston Martin owners in the U.S. and Canada whose vehicles feature the brand’s next-generation infotainment system, a software update will be available in the coming weeks through local dealerships. To use CarPlay Ultra, you’ll need an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5.
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