Next-Generation CarPlay Revealed in EU Regulator Filing

Drawings showing what could be the next iteration of Apple’s CarPlay have emerged in a filing with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The sketches, which were filed in November 2024, offer a glimpse of how CarPlay might integrate into the entire dashboard of future Audi vehicles, rather than being limited to the infotainment screen.

It has been a decade since Audi first introduced support for Apple’s CarPlay, and now it seems the automaker is preparing to embrace the next major evolution of the platform. The new version of CarPlay is expected to extend its functionality, taking over the entire dashboard and controlling all of a vehicle’s electronic functions, including climate control, speedometer, and navigation.

What the Drawings Reveal

The filing includes several diagrams, one of which features an Audi-branded interface. The illustration depicts a dashboard with a digital speedometer, navigation map, and climate control icons. Notably, the word “comfort” appears within the center of the speedometer circle, suggesting a focus on user customization and control. While the drawings themselves are minimal and do not offer intricate details, they serve as a strong indication of Apple’s direction for the next generation of CarPlay.

A Decade of CarPlay and a Sneak Peek at the Future

Apple first teased its vision for the next-generation CarPlay during its WWDC 2022 keynote, promising a more immersive and integrated experience. The company revealed that it had partnered with several automakers to design a unified interface that would blend the best of Apple’s technology with each manufacturer’s unique brand identity. Since then, automakers like Porsche and Aston Martin have been among the first to announce vehicles with the next-gen CarPlay, fulfilling Apple’s 2023 launch goal.

At the time, Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, Alan Dye, described the new CarPlay as a platform designed to “enable the very best of Apple and each particular automaker.” This filing with the EUIPO marks a key step toward realizing that vision, and Audi appears to be one of the first to showcase this new functionality.

What’s Next for CarPlay

While neither Apple nor Audi has officially commented on the filing, the new illustrations provide an exciting preview of what CarPlay could look like in the near future. For now, users can look forward to new features with iOS 18, which expands CarPlay functionality for all users.