CarPlay is about to get even better with iOS 27 in September. New features including a dedicated Siri app and Siri AI will upgrade Apple’s car infotainment system for iPhone users. Even before the big iPhone software update officially launches, CarPlay in August has improved for everyone with three big app releases.

CarPlay has evolved a lot since it was introduced in 2014. What began as a simple way to mirror a few iPhone apps on a car screen has grown into a complete in-car software platform. Today, more than 120 popular iPhone apps work with CarPlay, covering navigation, communication, audio, and increasingly specialized categories such as sports, artificial intelligence, and weather. This steady expansion is a reminder that CarPlay is not just a dashboard display; it is an extension of the iPhone that brings familiar apps and services into the car.

MLB iPhone app enhances CarPlay experience

First, MLB upgraded its iPhone app in the middle of the baseball season to improve the CarPlay experience. Fans can browse live and upcoming games, select a matchup, and choose their preferred team’s radio feed. CarPlay also now shows baseball scores and key game details while the broadcast plays, with the app’s hide-scores setting respected for anyone avoiding spoilers.

This update is especially useful for fans who commute during baseball season. Instead of fumbling with a phone or relying on AM/FM radio, drivers can quickly access home and away broadcasts, check scoring situations, and stay connected to the game without taking their eyes off the road. The addition of score overlays and game details supports the growing expectation that sports apps should provide an at-a-glance experience inside the car.

MLB’s move also shows how leagues are embracing CarPlay as a distribution channel. As traditional radio rights face competition from streaming and team-branded content, providing a smooth CarPlay experience is a practical way to meet listeners where they are. Baseball is a sport built on long seasons and daily games, making it a natural fit for the kind of quick, audio-first interaction that CarPlay supports.

Meta AI deploys CarPlay chatbot app in rollout

Next, Meta AI for iPhone now works with CarPlay, with a catch. The Meta AI app joins three other third-party chatbot apps that work with CarPlay: ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok. However, Meta AI on CarPlay appears to be in limited testing for now.

Still, this shows the key benefit of CarPlay: integrating existing iPhone apps with your vehicle. You just can’t expect this amount of AI chatbot choice from built-in infotainment systems. The fact that Meta AI is even appearing in CarPlay is a sign that AI assistants are becoming just as important as maps and music for many drivers.

Limited testing means not every user will see Meta AI appear in the CarPlay app list immediately. Rollouts like this are common for large AI companies that want to evaluate performance, safety, and user feedback before expanding. The eventual release could bring a wide range of use cases, from hands-free questions about traffic or weather to drafting messages and summarizing information while driving.

The emergence of chatbot apps on CarPlay also raises design and safety questions. Any app that appears in the car needs to be usable with minimal distraction. Voice input and audio responses are likely to be the primary ways drivers interact with these tools. That makes CarPlay an interesting testing ground for how AI systems handle real-world, hands-free scenarios. As more chatbots arrive, Apple may also need to refine guidelines for how they present information in a driving context.

CarPlay adds a major weather app

The third big CarPlay app in August is Storm Radar from The Weather Channel. Storm Radar for CarPlay includes a map of your location. You can toggle between satellite view and the default map background. Data layers include radar, clouds, and precipitation.

Navigation is also a core part of the CarPlay app. Storm Radar displays your current weather conditions alongside the ETA and weather conditions expected at your destination. The Weather Channel adds that CarPlay support includes automatic rerouting and weather alerts along your route that refresh as you drive.

This level of weather integration is a major step forward. Drivers have long had access to basic forecast apps, but a detailed radar map combined with navigation data is far more useful. If you are heading into a thunderstorm or trying to avoid heavy rain, Storm Radar can give you the big picture before you leave and while you are on the road. The automatic rerouting feature means the app can suggest alternative paths when severe weather threatens your planned route.

Storm Radar’s arrival also highlights the importance of real-time data in automotive software. Weather conditions can change quickly, and an app that refreshes as you drive is much more valuable than a static forecast. For people who drive long distances, commute through varying climates, or simply want to be more prepared, this is the kind of tool that turns CarPlay into a true driving companion.

More CarPlay upgrades

Looking ahead, Apple will upgrade CarPlay for everyone with the upcoming iOS 27 iPhone update. Installing the iPhone software update or upgrading to a new iPhone running iOS 27 when it comes out will automatically add new features to CarPlay. In the meantime, Volvo has upgraded three SUVs with Spatial Audio through CarPlay for Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. This brings Dolby Atmos sound support to drivers. Earlier this year, Pioneer released an aftermarket head unit that similarly drives Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio through CarPlay.

These audio advancements matter because sound quality is one of the most impactful parts of the driving experience. Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos can make music feel more immersive, with sounds coming from different directions rather than centered in one place. Volvo’s decision to support it through CarPlay in multiple SUVs gives owners a premium listening option without leaving Apple’s ecosystem. Pioneer’s aftermarket unit offers a way for drivers with older vehicles to get the same experience by replacing their existing head unit.

Apple’s upcoming iOS 27 update is expected to add a dedicated Siri app and Siri AI, which could change how people interact with CarPlay. A more capable Siri could mean better natural language requests, deeper integration with third-party apps, and more proactive suggestions. With the AI chatbot race heating up, Siri AI may also bring Apple’s own generative features to the car. That would make CarPlay even more competitive with built-in systems from automakers and connect the driving experience to the broader iPhone ecosystem.

There are also plenty of smaller ways to enhance CarPlay. Affordable accessories can make a big difference, from wireless adapters that remove the need to plug in your iPhone to tracking tags for keys and bags. The official CarPlay cable remains a reliable option for wired connections, and accessories like the AirTag 2 help keep track of important items before you leave the house. With over 120 popular iPhone apps now supporting CarPlay, there is no shortage of ways to put the feature to work.

These recent updates show how CarPlay continues to mature as a platform. From baseball broadcasts and weather maps to AI chatbots and spatial audio, the system keeps adding value for drivers. As iOS 27 approaches and more developers build for CarPlay, the gap between phone-based driving software and traditional car infotainment systems is likely to shrink even further.

Source:9to5Mac News