Apple is preparing a profound change in the way we use the connected car: CarPlay will be open for the first time to third-party AI assistants.This will allow you to have voice conversations with chatbots like ChatGPT. Google Gemini or Claude from Anthropic directly from the vehicle's screen, without having to keep an eye on the iPhone while driving.
According to various reports based on internal leaks, including those from journalist Mark Gurman, the Cupertino company is working on a new type of AI applications compatible with CarPlay (with support for providers such as Anthropic and OpenAIThe goal is for drivers to be able to ask complex questions, request explanations, or get summaries of information using only their voice, with an interface adapted to the automotive environment and designed to reduce distractions.
CarPlay opens up to AI voice chatbots
So far, CarPlay only accepted a very limited number of app categories., mainly focused on navigation, communication, music or podcasts, although recently there has been talk of their arrival at TeslaModern conversational assistants were left out, and in practice, the only way to access ChatGPT or Gemini from the car was to resort to inconvenient shortcuts or tricks from the iPhone itself.
With the change underway, Apple is enabling specific compatibility for artificial intelligence applications with conversational voice modeso that they can function natively within CarPlay. Services like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude will have versions adapted for the car, integrated into the system interface and designed to be used without touching the mobile phone.
The idea is that, when you open one of these apps on the vehicle's screen, The assistant's voice chat mode will be automatically activated.From that moment on, the driver will be able to ask questions such as "what is the difference between a hybrid car and an electric car?" or "give me a summary of the most important news of the day" and receive spoken answers, without having to take their eyes off the road.
According to leaks, Apple is finalizing this support to deploy it "in the coming months" via an iOS updateDrivers won't have to change their car or infotainment system: the vehicle simply needs to be compatible with CarPlay to take advantage of the new feature when the AI ​​apps are updated.
This move comes in a context where Many European and American manufacturers are already incorporating their own AI assistants across native vehicle systemsBy opening the door to third-party chatbots, Apple aims to keep CarPlay competitive against those integrated solutions from car manufacturers.
Siri will continue to be the main assistant inside the car.
Despite the opening, Apple has no plans to phase out its traditional assistant. Sources agree that Siri will remain the only way to control CarPlay's native functions and the vehicle itself.In other words, tasks such as dictating messages, making calls, controlling music, or following Apple Maps directions will continue to be handled by Siri.
In more advanced configurations, such as CarPlay Ultra, which already allows you to adjust elements such as climate control, seats, or certain internal controls In some specific models, Siri will also remain in control. Apple believes that any function with a direct impact on road safety should remain under the control of a tested and centrally monitored system.
The company will also not allow new AI chatbots replace the physical or virtual button dedicated to Siri or the current wake wordPressing the button on the steering wheel or using the voice command will still launch Siri, not ChatGPT or Gemini. The intention is to avoid confusion and ensure that the car's critical controls always respond in the same way.
In practice, Apple's strategy involves Complement Siri with third-party assistants, don't replace itWhile the built-in assistant handles the system and vehicle's integrated functions, external chatbots will focus on more open-ended questions, explaining concepts, providing news summaries, or helping to organize tasks during the journey.
This approach fits with the company's usual philosophy: controlled opening, with clear rules on what each actor can doSiri will remain the main gateway to the connected car, while ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude will be offered as additional tools within their own applications.
How to activate ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude in CarPlay
One of the key aspects of this opening is how the new assistants will be implemented. For security and consistency reasons, Third-party AI chatbots will not take Siri's role in the regular CarPlay flowInstead, they will appear as standalone apps within the interface.
To talk to ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude from the car, the driver will have to First, open the corresponding application in CarPlay.By doing so, the chatbot's voice mode will automatically activate, allowing you to start the conversation without touching your phone. Everything will be managed from the car's system screen and the usual controls.
Apple will not allow reassign the steering wheel button or change the activation phrase reserved for SiriThis way, if the user presses the button or uses the traditional command, Siri will respond. If, however, they open the AI ​​app in CarPlay, the chosen chatbot will answer. This ensures the driver always knows which assistant they are interacting with.
The company will also require that these apps continue very strict guidelines to minimize distractionsBrief responses, a clean interface, and greater emphasis on audio compared to on-screen text. The aim is for interactions to be quick and clear, without turning the car's center console into a panel full of information that's difficult to read while driving.
For developers, this will translate into designing specific experiences for the car: apps that automatically enter voice conversation mode upon openingWithout complex menus or intermediate steps, users can ask questions almost immediately once they are inside the AI ​​app.
Calendar, relationship with Apple Intelligence, and role of Gemini
Reports indicate that compatibility with third-party chatbots is coming. through an iOS update planned for the coming monthsIt has not been specified whether it will be in an intermediate version or in a major subsequent revision of the system, but leaks suggest that development is already quite advanced.
This movement occurs in parallel with the reinforcement of Apple IntelligenceThe company's commitment to integrating advanced language models into its devices. In this roadmap, Apple plans to leverage Google's Gemini technology for certain capabilities, initially in the iPhone and later extending them to the rest of the ecosystem.
Future versions of iOS will introduce a Siri more capable of answering complex questions, chaining tasks, and maintaining continuity between appsIn a later phase, the assistant is expected to adopt a fully conversational approach, with functions closer to those of today's large chatbots, although without losing its role as the main manager of the system.
Therefore, opening CarPlay to third-party AI applications is a line of work parallel to the Siri renewalOn the one hand, Apple is strengthening its assistant with its own models and external alliances; on the other, it allows other providers such as OpenAI, Google or Anthropic to integrate their chatbots directly into the car under very specific conditions.
Regarding the geographical deployment, everything points to the fact that The United States and Europe will be the first markets to receive these new products.Given the prevalence of CarPlay in new cars sold in these regions, in countries like Spain, where many models include CarPlay as standard or as an option, the change could be noticeable quickly once AI apps update their compatibility.
What will conversational AI allow you to do from your car?
Although Apple has not published an official list of features, the very nature of these chatbots suggests that a range of uses focused on quick and contextualized responsesThe idea is that the driver can obtain useful information without taking their eyes off the road, listening to the answers through the car's speakers.
During journeys, users will be able to requesting explanations of technical concepts, resolving day-to-day doubts, preparing work information, or generating news summariesQuestions such as "explain this financial term", "review the key points of this meeting" or "summarize the day's economic news" will be answered without touching your mobile phone.
On routes through Spain and the rest of Europe, conversational AI can also be used to request stop recommendations, check the weather at different points along the route, locate nearby services, or plan tasks while commuting to work. All of this is done through natural language, with responses adapted to the context and the fact that the user is driving.
Native integration in CarPlay will allow Each AI provider adjusts its models to the automotive environment.Shorter responses, less text on screen, faster reaction times, and a conversational style designed not to overwhelm the driver. It's a different scenario from using these chatbots from the comfort of your couch or in front of your computer.
Since these are third-party applications subject to review, Apple is expected to impose stringent requirements regarding privacy and data useDevelopers will need to comply not only with the general App Store rules, but also with the additional requirements associated with connected cars and the protection of European users under the GDPR.
Impact in Spain and Europe: pressure on native systems
In the European market, the arrival of these chatbots to CarPlay has a special significance, because Apple's platform penetration in new cars is very highMany brands, from mainstream to premium, offer CarPlay as standard or as an option in their ranges, and a significant portion of drivers use it daily.
For users in Spain, France, Germany or Italy, the possibility of Talk to an advanced conversational assistant without leaving the CarPlay environment It represents a real alternative to the native assistants that some car manufacturers are developing. These proprietary systems are usually very well integrated with the vehicle, but they don't always compete in terms of language richness or breadth of knowledge with models like ChatGPT or Gemini.
From the perspective of European software companies, Apple's decision opens up a new category of applications With the potential to reach millions of vehicles without negotiating with each manufacturer, it simply requires meeting CarPlay's requirements and designing voice experiences tailored to the driver's limited attention span, which could attract startups focused on mobility, productivity, or content.
At the same time, the measure increases the pressure on proprietary infotainment systems: Manufacturers will have to decide whether to strengthen their own AI systems or prioritize deeper integration with CarPlay. And with these new conversational assistants. In many cases, both options will likely coexist, and it will be up to the user to decide which assistant they prefer to use in each situation.
In this scenario, CarPlay is on track to become a more flexible and powerful environment with regard to artificial intelligence applied to drivingSiri will continue to manage sensitive functions and car control, while chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude will provide an additional layer of knowledge, conversation, and contextual help within their own applications, especially relevant for drivers in Spain and Europe who already rely on Apple's platform daily for their journeys.
