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CarPlay

Multi-Touch and Sports Scoreboard Expand CarPlay’s In-Car Experience for iOS 18.4 and iOS 26

By Robert DeLuca in CarPlay on

Two Targeted CarPlay Enhancements Arrive, Reflecting Apple’s Broader Strategy

With the introduction of iOS 18.4 and the upcoming iOS 26, Apple is refining CarPlay through focused feature upgrades, deepening its integration into the automotive experience while reinforcing its adaptability for both mainstream and advanced vehicle systems. These adjustments—centered on multi-touch navigation and real-time sports updates—underscore Apple's commitment to meaningful, user-focused innovation.

Sports Mode: Real-Time Scores at a Glance

Apple first introduced a new 'sports mode' for CarPlay audio apps with iOS 18.4, released in late March 2025, according to MacRumors. This improvement enables live sports streaming apps to display a dynamic scoreboard directly within the CarPlay interface, placing team logos, scores, and game clocks alongside existing playback controls. Compared to earlier CarPlay iterations—where audio-only content dominated—this update addresses a long-standing request from sports fans for more contextually rich, real-time information during live games.

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iOS 26 Transforms CarPlay: Visual and Functional Upgrades Aim at Seamless In-Car Integration

By Robert DeLuca in iOS 26 on

Apple Deepens CarPlay Experience with iOS 26: What Enthusiasts Need to Know

Apple’s annual WWDC keynote frequently showcases sweeping software advancements, but this year’s iOS 26 announcement draws particular interest among the Apple enthusiast community for its explicit focus on CarPlay. According to multiple sources including MacRumors and 9to5Mac, Apple positions the in-car experience as a core extension of its ecosystem, aligning CarPlay more closely with the evolving iOS design language and feature integration.

Liquid Glass Design: A New Visual Standard

With iOS 26, CarPlay adopts the new "Liquid Glass" aesthetic—first introduced this year across iOS, macOS, and watchOS. This design philosophy infuses shimmery icons and translucent interface elements into CarPlay, mirroring the contemporary look seen on iPhone and Mac. Apple claims these changes introduce greater visual depth and personalization (source: Apple press materials).

Comparative Context

Apple’s iterative approach to design alignment echoes earlier system-wide visual

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iOS 26 Rumor Roundup: Reported Features for Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay

By Robert DeLuca in iOS 26 on

iOS 26 Rumor Roundup: Reported Features for Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay

As anticipation mounts ahead of WWDC 2025, new information has surfaced detailing five potential features reportedly coming in iOS 26. While most recent reports have centered on a major visual redesign—possibly aligning iOS more closely with visionOS—a fresh leak, cited by 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, spotlights upcoming enhancements to core Apple applications, including Messages, Music, Notes, and CarPlay. This article examines the rumored features, situates them within Apple's broader software direction, and outlines possible implications for users, developers, and the iOS ecosystem.

Reported Features: What Sources Are Saying

According to 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, anonymous but historically reliable sources have indicated the following features may be revealed during the iOS 26 keynote:

  • Messages: New tools and UI improvements reportedly aim to streamline conversations and increase accessibility. Sources suggest enhancements tailored for group chats and support for advanced media
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