Apple CarPlay Ultra Has Arrived to Dominate Every Display in Your Vehicle | Carscoops

      The second-generation CarPlay, which functions across multiple screens and can manage vehicle systems, makes its initial appearance in the DBX, Vantage, Vanquish, and DB12.

      Aston Martin is the first to feature Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra infotainment system.

      This Ultra version surpasses simple phone mirroring and is capable of managing vehicle features such as climate control.

      It will soon be available to other manufacturers, including Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, and Porsche.

      Since its launch in 2014, Apple’s CarPlay and its Android Auto counterpart have facilitated safer smartphone usage while driving. However, the original system had limitations and didn’t integrate well with the screens and graphics provided by automakers. CarPlay Ultra, a more advanced second-generation system, is currently exclusive to Aston Martin buyers in North America.

      First revealed in 2022, CarPlay Ultra is only now being introduced in production vehicles and will soon be made available to many other brands, such as Ford, Porsche, Volvo, Kia, and Hyundai, as well as in other countries. Its debut is limited to Aston’s SUVs and sports cars in the USA and Canada.

      This marks a significant achievement for a brand that previously lacked touchscreens in its vehicles, as supplier Mercedes did not sell it the latest equipment available for its own vehicles, which are significantly less expensive. Owners of recent Aston models that feature the company’s latest infotainment system will be able to upgrade to Ultra through a software update.

      So, what are the advantages of CarPlay Ultra? One significant enhancement is its ability to be displayed on multiple screens within the vehicle, including the digital instrument cluster. Drivers can choose which apps to display on the gauge screen, select from various layouts and colors, and customize their experience in ways not possible with existing automaker systems.

      The key development is that CarPlay has evolved from being a standalone system to fully integrating with the car’s electrical systems, enabling it to control features such as climate control, either through familiar Apple-style digital controls or via the Siri voice assistant.

      Of course, the visual presentation of CarPlay Ultra and the specific features it can manage will differ across brands. For example, Mercedes has decided not to allow Ultra to control all of its vehicle screens. Additionally, Aston noted that the DBX S retains physical buttons for essential functions such as adaptive dampers, active exhaust systems, parking sensors, lane assist, and more.