Apple has once again proven that it hasn't forgotten those of us who use CarPlay every day, and it's doing so with an update that finally doesn't discriminate between those who drive a supercar and those of us who drive a small car. With the arrival of iOS 26 this fall, CarPlay is getting its best yet, packed with features we've been waiting for, all without having to change cars or invest in a state-of-the-art screen.
The great revolution arrives by the hand of widgets. Now when you connect the iPhone with iOS 26, we will see a new section on the left side of the CarPlay screen: There you can place up to five widgets, the same ones you already use on the iPhone, from Calendar to Weather, including Music or any compatible third-party app. Everything is configured directly from the phone, with the ability to create smart stacks that adapt to what you need at any given moment. If you have an upcoming appointment, the reminder will be there; if it's raining, the weather widget will let you know. And all with the clean and recognizable iOS design, without unnecessary distractions or out-of-place elements.
However, Apple maintains its security philosophy: Widgets can only be located in this new section and don't mix with the main apps or appear on other screens, thus avoiding any temptation to take your eyes off the road. Additionally, Live Activities are now available on the home screen, allowing you to follow the status of an order or the results of your favorite team in real time, as long as the app allows it.
But the update doesn't stop at widgets. CarPlay adopts the new Liquid Glass design language, the translucent, three-dimensional finish that Apple debuted this year and which gives the system a much more modern and sophisticated look. The icons float, the wallpapers are inspired by those of the iPhone, and everything feels more integrated, more polished, more Apple. The Maps app also gets its share of love: the route you're following now takes center stage, with more discreet but still accessible buttons and an interface that prioritizes driving.
Messages isn't far behind either. Although iMessage isn't king in Spain, The new features are still there: quick replies with tapbacks, pinned chats so you don't lose sight of your most important contacts, and the ability to respond with gestures. or by voice, all designed to reduce distractions and facilitate communication while driving.
All of this will arrive with the final version of iOS 26 in September, following a public beta that will be released in July for the most impatient (although, honestly, it's better to wait for the stable version if you use CarPlay daily). You won't need a luxury car or a giant screen: Any compatible vehicle will be able to enjoy these changes, and that is, without a doubt, the best news.
In short, Apple puts the turbo (never better said) to C and makes it a more useful, customizable, and, above all, more beautiful system. If you're one of those who uses the iPhone as a copilot, this fall you'll be getting a new system in your car without changing vehicles. That's right, Apple.