- Apple could allow more AI in the CarPlay panel
- This is a rumor described in a new report from Bloomberg.
- Apps like ChatGPT and Gemini may appear
Apple CarPlay has traditionally been quite restrictive when it comes to the types of apps it allows on your vehicle’s dashboard, but it looks like third-party chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini will soon be able to claim spots on the CarPlay interface.
This is according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who generally knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Apple’s future and as-yet unannounced plans. Support should arrive in the “coming months,” according to the report.
According to people familiar with the matter, Siri will not be replaced as the default voice-activated assistant in CarPlay. However, users will be able to launch and access voice-enabled alternatives from their CarPlay dashboard if they wish.
It’s unclear exactly when we’ll see this – more iOS 26 updates are coming soon, while iOS 27 will be unveiled around June (when Apple holds its usual Worldwide Developers Conference) – but Gurman doesn’t give a specific time frame for the release.
More intelligence on Apple devices
If this happens, it will be another concession from Apple when it comes to AI. We know that the long-planned next-generation update for Siri has been delayed until sometime this year, while competitors like Google and OpenAI have moved forward with their chatbots.
Siri was enhanced with ChatGPT intelligence in iOS 18, bringing true generative AI capabilities (based on large language models, or LLMs) to Apple devices. This integration remains in place today as Apple works on updates to its own Apple Intelligence.
Earlier this year, Apple announced a major partnership with Google to have Google’s AI models power the next generation of Siri, which should appear with iOS 27 at some point. However, this will be more of a behind-the-scenes integration than ChatGPT.
These deals are separate from what Apple appears to be planning with CarPlay, but it’s another sign that Apple is prepared to open its platforms to other AI chatbots, at least for now (of course, it also helps avoid scrutiny from regulators).
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