In surprising news, CarPlay could come to personal watercraft -- if this company can clear approval and technical hurdles. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

In surprising news, CarPlay could come to personal watercraft -- if this company can clear approval and technical hurdles. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. At the time, it said CarPlay Ultra would begin expanding to more vehicles around the world "in the next 12 months." In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he was told that CarPlay Ultra will come to at least one major new Hyundai or Kia vehicle model "in the second half of this year." It is unclear if he is…

Pioneer’s SPHERA, the world’s first aftermarket CarPlay in-dash receiver with Spatial Audio Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has launched SPHERA, described as the world’s first aftermarket Spatial Audio in-dash receiver capable of Dolby Atmos playback through Apple CarPlay, bringing immersive audio to millions of existing vehicles. Previously, in-vehicle Dolby Atmos experiences were limited to factory-equipped systems. SPHERA changes that by enabling drivers to access Dolby Atmos content from popular streaming services, enhancing music, audiobooks, and podcasts with greater depth, clarity, and detail using a vehicle’s existing speakers. Building on a prototype demonstrated at last year’s CES, SPHERA represents Pioneer’s latest innovation in car audio. “For over 80 years, Pioneer has achieved many technological ‘firsts’—from the world’s first car CD player to…

CarPlay receivers aren't new, but one with Spatial Audio is. Enter Pioneer Sphera CarPlay receiver with Dolby Atmos. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, who have long ignored customer requests to implement CarPlay. We shall see what ultimately happens, though. Musk could change his mind at any moment. Tesla plans to offer the regular, wireless version of CarPlay, rather than the more advanced CarPlay Ultra system, according to Gurman. CarPlay would appear within a window inside…