Apple's in-car display experience, CarPlay, has become more functional with updates to iOS 26 and later. Two recent notable innovations are the addition of AI chat applications to CarPlay and the expansion of the widget area. This allows drivers to use voice-activated AI assistants without touching their iPhone and see more information simultaneously on the car screen.
One of the most notable innovations on the CarPlay side was the inclusion of AI-powered chat applications. With iOS 26.4, CarPlay began supporting AI applications, defined as voice-based conversation applications. Along with this support, CarPlay versions for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok were released.
This change means a new category of apps is being created for CarPlay. For a long time, CarPlay has primarily focused on core uses such as navigation, music, messaging, and podcasts.
With AI-powered chat applications, drivers can now make calls, ask general questions, and get information using voice commands while driving. The key point here is that the interaction is solely voice-based. This allows for use without looking at the iPhone screen or performing any manual operations.
The arrival of AI applications on CarPlay also signals a significant step forward for Siri. Apple's own assistant has been central to in-car use for years, but services like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok working with voice on CarPlay are paving the way for more advanced speech-based experiences on the car screen. While bigger changes are expected for Siri with iOS 27, this new category in CarPlay is already changing how users access in-car information.
The second significant innovation in CarPlay is in the widget area. Widget support was added to CarPlay with iOS 26. This feature allows users to view specific information in small panels on the car screen without opening applications in full screen. However, recent updates have made this area even more user-friendly.
With iOS 26.2, Apple increased the number of widgets that can be displayed simultaneously on certain devices. This change isn't standard across all devices; some supported models can display more widgets at the same time. In an example reported by 9to5Mac, a device that previously displayed two widgets simultaneously can now display three.
This increase makes for a more meaningful use, especially in vehicles with large screens. With CarPlay adapting better to in-car screen sizes in recent years, the widget area is no longer just a decorative element. Content such as calendar, weather, media, navigation, and sports information can be accessed without leaving the main screen while driving.
With iOS 26.4, Apple Sports also introduced its own widget support for CarPlay. This allows users to track match statuses, team schedules, and information about sporting events in supported regions and leagues on the CarPlay screen. There isn't a standalone app for Apple Sports in CarPlay; the experience is currently through the widget.
The Apple Sports widget creates a direct use case, especially for users who want to track scores and fixtures without touching their phone while driving. Previously, this type of information required looking at the iPhone screen or switching to other apps. The new structure strengthens CarPlay's role in displaying quick and concise information while driving.
