The next version of Apple CarPlay will expand from an app within your car's infotainment screen, to a brand-new interface for all instrumentation, climate controls and entertainment functions.
The company looks to upgrade Car Play from an infotainment system to a software solution that will allow drivers to control parts of their car and show more information such as speed and fuel level.
The iPhone maker said it is talking to several automakers to bring the new generation of the software to their cars, which will be announced from late 2023.
CarPlay will support multiple screens on cars irrespective of size and layout and will be able to show information including weather and navigation, according to images posted during a presentation.
Widgets powered by the iPhone will be available across all screens in a vehicle including the instrument cluster, with multiple styles of dials, layouts, themes and colors.
Apple gave a long list of carmakers that could endorse the program. Among the prominent names are Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Nissan, Infiniti, Ford, Lincoln, Volvo, Polestar, Honda, Acura, Renault and Audi.
Mention of Volvo, Polestar, Ford and Lincoln comes as a surprise, as these brands have adopted (or plan to roll out) new infotainment systems powered by rival Google's Android Automotive infotainment system architecture.
With the next generation of CarPlay, drivers will be able to change temperature settings, use apps such as the Audiobooks, News, Podcasts and tune the car's radio without leaving the CarPlay interface.
The iPhone will communicate with the vehicle's systems in real time in a "privacy-friendly way" to show driving information such as speed, fuel level and temperature.
Apple says the first vehicles with the revamped CarPlay system will be "announced" in late 2023 – though whether that date refers to on-sale timing or a global reveal isn't clear.
It's also unclear if the new Apple CarPlay system will be available for drivers of current CarPlay-compatible vehicles – though Apple's wording suggests this won't be the case (or, at least, not the full system).