Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/reddit user Wagner_Cri
Apple's upcoming iOS 17 update won't include many significant changes for CarPlay users. Still, the company is quietly working on smaller refinements to improve the general user experience.
The iOS 17 public beta provides us with an early look at one important change concerning audio players on CarPlay.
Apple is improving the playback interface with a more polished look and new buttons, including for SharePlay (which will land exclusively for Apple Music subscribers in iOS 17).
The new UI drops the old button design, integrating each icon directly into the music player interface. The edges no longer appear, making the layout cleaner and less cluttered.
Someone on reddit says the music playback interface is always in dark mode regardless of the settings, but this is likely a bug in the current iOS beta build. Apple is unlikely to enforce the dark mode in the music player, as the interface must align with the rest of the CarPlay settings.
Highly anticipated features, such as an interactive seeking bar for the playing song, are still missing, as Apple doesn't seem interested in making them happen just yet. The company probably considers an interactive seek bar a potential safety concern, so not releasing it helps drivers keep their eyes on the road.
In the meantime, Apple's full focus appears to be the next-generation CarPlay, due in the fall. Apple teased the upgraded CarPlay version last year, and it'll feature massive upgrades, including support for all screens in the cabin. CarPlay will also support widgets and instrument clusters, bringing essential data, such as navigation instructions, closer to the driver.
Apple says it's been working closely with partners to bring CarPlay to new models beginning this year, but the complete list of cars to feature the upgraded system is currently unavailable.
The new-generation CarPlay won't support existing car models. It requires new hardware, so if your car runs the current version of CarPlay, you can't upgrade to the new version.
Apple will most likely announce the new CarPlay in September when the company takes the wraps off the next-generation iPhone series. CarPlay will probably receive significant stage time, especially as it's a critical step for the Cupertino-based tech giant in its automotive strategy. Apple is also developing an electric vehicle, and the new CarPlay will play an integral role in this model. People familiar with the matter said the car will launch in 2026, at the earliest, so Apple first needs to get CarPlay right.
The new music player interface spotted in the latest iOS 17 beta build will likely receive additional polishing before the operating system reaches production. iOS 17 will also become available in the fall and will support the iPhone XS and newer models.
Apple is improving the playback interface with a more polished look and new buttons, including for SharePlay (which will land exclusively for Apple Music subscribers in iOS 17).
The new UI drops the old button design, integrating each icon directly into the music player interface. The edges no longer appear, making the layout cleaner and less cluttered.
Someone on reddit says the music playback interface is always in dark mode regardless of the settings, but this is likely a bug in the current iOS beta build. Apple is unlikely to enforce the dark mode in the music player, as the interface must align with the rest of the CarPlay settings.
Highly anticipated features, such as an interactive seeking bar for the playing song, are still missing, as Apple doesn't seem interested in making them happen just yet. The company probably considers an interactive seek bar a potential safety concern, so not releasing it helps drivers keep their eyes on the road.
In the meantime, Apple's full focus appears to be the next-generation CarPlay, due in the fall. Apple teased the upgraded CarPlay version last year, and it'll feature massive upgrades, including support for all screens in the cabin. CarPlay will also support widgets and instrument clusters, bringing essential data, such as navigation instructions, closer to the driver.
Apple says it's been working closely with partners to bring CarPlay to new models beginning this year, but the complete list of cars to feature the upgraded system is currently unavailable.
The new-generation CarPlay won't support existing car models. It requires new hardware, so if your car runs the current version of CarPlay, you can't upgrade to the new version.
Apple will most likely announce the new CarPlay in September when the company takes the wraps off the next-generation iPhone series. CarPlay will probably receive significant stage time, especially as it's a critical step for the Cupertino-based tech giant in its automotive strategy. Apple is also developing an electric vehicle, and the new CarPlay will play an integral role in this model. People familiar with the matter said the car will launch in 2026, at the earliest, so Apple first needs to get CarPlay right.
The new music player interface spotted in the latest iOS 17 beta build will likely receive additional polishing before the operating system reaches production. iOS 17 will also become available in the fall and will support the iPhone XS and newer models.
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