The post Apple said to allow outside voice-controlled AI chatbots in CarPlay appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Apple is gearing up to support voice-controlled AI apps from third-party developers in CarPlay for the first time, allowing users to interact with AI chatbots directly through the car’s interface, Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg News.

The company plans to roll out this capability in the coming months, enabling providers to launch dedicated CarPlay versions of their apps featuring voice-control functionality. However, Apple will not permit these third-party apps to replace the Siri button or override the wake word for invoking the assistant; users will instead have to manually open the desired app to engage its voice mode.

Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
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The change marks a strategic shift for Apple, which until now has only allowed its own Siri assistant as a voice-control option within its popular vehicle infotainment software. With the move, AI providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic PBC, and Alphabet Inc.’s Google will be able to release CarPlay versions of their apps that include a voice-control mode.

That means a driver could, say, ask ChatGPT for restaurant recommendations without taking their hands off the wheel. Apple customers have been clamoring for such an option for months, but there’s no guarantee that outside developers will follow through and take advantage of the capability.

There will still be limits. Apple won’t let users replace the Siri button on CarPlay or the wake word that summons the service. Instead, users will need to open the app to activate the third-party voice control, the people said.

Developers will be able to design their apps so voice mode launches automatically when the app is opened, which should help make it more convenient to use.

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MacDailyNews Take: We’ll replace Siri with Grok on Day One. Currently, you can use the Grok app on your iPhone while it is connected to CarPlay, it does not appear as a native app on the CarPlay screen, nor does it currently support voice commands through the native vehicle steering wheel button in a typical CarPlay setup.

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The post Pioneer launches SPHERA, world’s first aftermarket CarPlay in-dash receiver with Spatial Audio appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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 the first aftermarket CarPlay integration,” said Chris Ono, CEO & Chairman of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “SPHERA is the next bold chapter in that legacy. Guided by our corporate mission, ‘Move the Heart and Touch the Soul’, we developed a product that brings the rich, detailed sound of Dolby Atmos that moves the soul, to a solution that can be installed in many vehicles on the road today. With SPHERA, we are expanding access to immersive sound, allowing more drivers than ever to enjoy music with the clarity and emotion its creators intended.”

The receiver features an optimized 4-channel solution powered by Dolby technology, delivering a rich Dolby Atmos experience through front and rear speakers without requiring additional hardware.

SPHERA also incorporates Pioneer’s PURE Autotuning technology, which automatically calibrates time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to accommodate varying vehicle acoustics, ensuring optimal performance and fidelity to the original content.

The unit includes a 10.1-inch HD capacitive display with Pioneer’s Quick Swipe interface and split-screen mode for intuitive control. Additional features include an integrated Luminous Bar with Enhanced Visual Mode for navigation and Music Synchronization Mode, along with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Its design supports universal aftermarket installation in a wide range of vehicles.
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MacDailyNews Note: SPHERA will be available in Spring 2026 through authorized retailers such as Best Buy and Crutchfield, with pricing starting at $1,300.

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The post Pioneer launches SPHERA, world’s first aftermarket CarPlay in-dash receiver with Spatial Audio appeared first on MacDailyNews.