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Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is finally here, if you have a new Aston Martin

CarPlay Ultra is coming to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, too.

CarPlay Ultra is coming to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, too.

Apple-CarPlay-Ultra-cluster-Maps
Apple-CarPlay-Ultra-cluster-Maps
Image: Apple
Emma Roth
Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

Apple is officially rolling out the next generation of CarPlay — and it’s called CarPlay Ultra. The update is available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the US and Canada, but it will be rolling out to existing models with supported infotainment systems in the “coming weeks.” Carmakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are also working on adding CarPlay Ultra, according to Apple.

Apple first announced its next-gen CarPlay system in 2022, and said it would launch in 2024, but that didn’t pan out. It’s not clear when the system will come to other automakers that confirmed support at the time, like Porsche.

CarPlay Ultra also lets drivers use onscreen controls, physical buttons, or Siri to manage a car’s radio and climate. It also adds widgets “powered by the iPhone that perfectly fit the car’s screen or gauge cluster to provide information at a glance.“ CarPlay Ultra works with the iPhone 12 or newer with iOS 18.5 or later.

1/5Image: Aston Martin

Apple says CarPlay Ultra builds upon the previous version of CarPlay by providing “information for all of the driver’s screens.” That includes real-time content and gauges in the instrument cluster, “with dynamic and beautiful options for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more.” Drivers will be able to show information from their iPhone as well, such as maps, media, advanced driver assistant systems, and tire pressure in the instrument cluster.