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CarPlay's iOS Evolution: Chatbots & Widgets

9to5Mac •
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CarPlay now supports AI chatbot apps in iOS 26.4, marking a significant expansion of available applications for drivers. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok have launched CarPlay versions, with Claude and Gemini expected to follow soon. These voice-based conversational apps enable users to perform searches and ask questions while keeping eyes and hands focused on driving.

Apple enhanced CarPlay widgets in recent updates, expanding the number of widgets available for select vehicles. iOS 26.2 increased capacity from two to three widgets for certain cars, creating space for the new Apple Sports widget introduced in iOS 26.4. This sports tracking widget allows drivers to monitor games and team schedules without touching their iPhones.

These improvements demonstrate Apple's commitment to enhancing the in-car experience through software updates. The addition of AI chatbots and improved widgets transforms CarPlay from a simple display mirror into a more functional assistant for drivers with practical everyday applications.