iOS 27 Brings Siri AI, Now Playing Controls and Fixes to CarPlay

The headline addition is Siri AI, which Apple introduced as the flagship feature of iOS 27 and which extends into CarPlay. According to 9to5Mac, the assistant can draw on personal context and general knowledge inside the car. The publication cites the example of asking Siri to find a specific address contained in an email or text message and then starting navigation to it, all by voice. Hands-free control matters in the car, and 9to5Mac writes that the release gives Siri more capability in CarPlay than before.

CarPlay's audio experience also changed. A persistent Now Playing MiniPlayer now appears in the upper-right corner of the interface across audio apps, showing playback controls and album artwork. The full Now Playing screen has gained an audio scrubber, which lets a user drag to skip to another point in a song or podcast instead of relying on steering wheel controls or picking up an iPhone.

Apple added a collection of new wallpapers to CarPlay as well, similar to the stock iOS 27 wallpapers on iPhone. CarPlay has not offered users the option of setting their own photos.

On reliability, Apple says iOS 27 addresses two specific CarPlay issues: improved navigation heading and GPS accuracy, and improved wireless CarPlay reliability. 9to5Mac notes that drivers who have had trouble with either area may see a better experience after updating.

Video apps are also coming to CarPlay. Apple says developers can now build dedicated video applications for CarPlay in iOS 27, but the feature requires support from automakers. That means it may be some time before such apps can actually be used in a vehicle.

The publication concludes that while CarPlay Ultra remains a goal for many drivers, the improvements to the version of CarPlay already installed in millions of cars are meaningful.