Latest news with #BobBorchers
Miami Herald
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Aston Martin Finally Unveils This Apple Feature
Aston Martin is the world's first automaker to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra. The new version of the popular software better integrates iPhone-compatible software into Aston Martin's automobile operating system, meaning CarPlay will now be a part of both the infotainment touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster. CarPlay Ultra works with iPhone 12s or newer running iOS 18.5 or later. The new Aston Martin DBX, Vantage, DB12, and Vanquish will get the software starting today, while existing 2025 model-year Aston Martins and the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 can access it in the coming weeks through the automaker's dealer network. "Aston Martin is delighted to have collaborated with Apple and to be the first to launch CarPlay Ultra," said Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin's CEO. "The integration of CarPlay Ultra is a clear example of the dedication to collaborate with the best companies in the world to bring unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities to our customers." Aston Martin's 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen or digital instrument cluster will now display maps, music album covers, or lane information. More than that, Apple says that standard vehicle functions like the car's audio system, climate controls, advanced vehicle-specific features, and performance settings can be changed from within CarPlay and are displayed along with the speedometer, tachometer, and tire pressure. Drivers can use Siri or the car's physical buttons, which are retained for transmission, drive mode selection, and climate, to control these functions. There are also override switches for the chassis, ESP, exhaust, Lane Assist, and Park Distance Control. Apple CarPlay Ultra features the familiar infotainment screen and Apple CarPlay home page, but swiping to the right brings up a new widgets page that features time and weather, as well as any other iPhone widgets that users want to add. Functions are not mirrored from the iPhone, but are carried out locally, integrating Aston Marin's native user interface. That means you never have to leave CarPlay to activate non-CarPlay functions. "With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent," said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "This next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, while deeply integrating with the car's systems." Aston Martin is merely the first automaker to get the new Apple software. CarPlay Ultra will also be coming to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles, although the software's design will be customized to the unique look and feel of each automaker. "This is just the beginning, with more automakers on the way," Borchers said. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Apple is giving CarPlay a major upgrade. Here's when it'll be available and which brands are getting it first
Apple is giving CarPlay a major upgrade. Here's when it'll be available and which brands are getting it first Apple CarPlay is about to get much more advanced. Here's what you need to know about this serious upgrade. Show Caption Hide Caption Apple agrees to pay $95 million over Siri eavesdropping lawsuit Apple reached a settlement a $95 million over a lawsuit accusing the company of eavesdropping and recording users' conversations with Siri. Straight Arrow News Apple CarPlay's next generation is launching with Aston Martin. CarPlay Ultra will be available for other brands worldwide within the next 12 months. The software upgrade gives drivers access to more iPhone features via their vehicle's screens and Siri voice assistant. Apple CarPlay is used by thousands of American drivers who prefer their phone's apps over the built-in apps of their car's infotainment system. Now it's getting a major upgrade as Apple introduces CarPlay Ultra. The software platform integrates an iPhone's capabilities into a vehicle's system, allowing drivers to use both smartphone and vehicle features. It effectively makes vehicles more user-friendly, changing the driving and ownership experience completely. What is Apple CarPlay Ultra? In a world dominated by screens, a car's infotainment system has become its focal point. Apple CarPlay's newest iteration aims to take things up a notch. According to Apple, the next-generation of CarPlay provides "the ultimate in-car experience." Apple CarPlay Ultra can display info to all vehicle screens including instrument clusters, not just the main infotainment screen. It is available with new Aston Martin models, and will be available in other models that can upgrade to Ultra via a software update. Some of the brands that will feature CarPlay Ultra include the South Korean Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands thus far. "This is just the beginning, with more automakers on the way" said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. Automakers will be able "to express their distinct design philosophy," Apple said in its CarPlay Ultra announcement. New Apple CarPlay features Apple CarPlay Ultra includes several new features including but not limited to: Multi-screen integration Enhanced vehicle function controls Advanced vehicle-specific features i-Phone widgets Apple has announced 'CarPlay Ultra,' the next-generation of CarPlay, is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada The update will be available for existing vehicles with the latest infotainment system in the coming weeks and expand to more… — Apple Hub (@theapplehub) May 15, 2025 Apple's latest update introduces several new features that take integration to a whole other level. Drivers will be able to manage radio and climate control settings through Siri. Vehicle-specific performance fixtures like suspension settings and driving modes will now be adjusted through CarPlay. Customizable widgets like weather and trip information will now be displayed on vehicle screens as well. What iPhones can use Apple CarPlay Ultra? CarPlay Ultra works with iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later, according to Apple. The software is launching with Aston Martin core models but Apple will expand its availability to vehicles all over the world within the next 12 months. The technology company is working with automakers to make CarPlay Ultra experiences brand-specific and unique. While some infotainment systems are better than others, many drivers use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto daily to access navigation and entertainment for their drives. Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay capability has become a popular automotive feature. Our attachment to smartphones is well-documented. CarPlay is "providing a safer, smarter way to use iPhone in the car" said Apple.
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Bond vibes, six-figure price tag: Apple's CarPlay Ultra debuts in new Aston Martins
Apple partnered with Aston Martin to launch CarPlay Ultra for its luxury vehicles. CarPlay Ultra integrates iPhone functions into the dashboard with customizable features and Siri. Available in Aston Martin's Vantage sports car, starting at $194,000, and additional models. Apple's CarPlay just got a James Bond-esque makeover. The tech giant partnered with luxury car brand Aston Martin for the initial rollout of CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of the program that allows iPhone owners to bring the Apple ecosystem to their car. Unlike its older sibling, which is restricted to the infotainment system in the center console, CarPlay Ultra gives your full dashboard the Apple treatment, including customizable features. The new program is like putting Siri in the passenger seat: It allows the voice-controlled assistant to manage functions like the radio, climate, and performance settings depending on the vehicle. Drivers can tailor what they see on their screens in the car using their iPhone, mixing information from the vehicle itself with widgets powered by Apple. "With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent," Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a press release. CarPlay Ultra is available with US or Canada-based orders for Aston Martin's DBX SUV, Vantage, DB12, and Vanquish as of Thursday, with plans to expand to more of its lineup through a software update on compatible vehicles. If you're hoping for instant access to the new program, it'll likely be a six-figure splurge. A 2025 Aston Martin Vantage starts at $194,000, and the "Supercar of SUV's" DBX retails for $256,000 to start, according to Car and Driver magazine. The British automaker said it would be limiting imports to the US as it monitored the "evolving" tariff situation, CEO Adrian Hallmark wrote in the company's first quarter earnings report. Apple first announced its plan for a second generation of CarPlay in 2022. In January, it amended the CarPlay webpage to remove its 2024 timeline without an updated launch date, according to MacRumors. Eventually, Apple said, CarPlay Ultra will roll out to other automakers, like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, which have already committed to launching the new program.
Mint
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Apple debuts CarPlay Ultra in Aston Martins: Features, availability and more
Apple has announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, its most advanced in-car experience to date, with Aston Martin becoming the first automaker to bring the system to market. Starting today, new Aston Martin vehicles in the United States and Canada will feature CarPlay Ultra, with a software update for compatible existing models expected in the coming weeks. CarPlay Ultra marks a significant evolution from the current CarPlay system, offering seamless integration across all of a vehicle's displays, including the instrument cluster. The system merges iPhone functionality with the car's core systems to provide real-time content, dynamic gauge displays, and custom widgets. Drivers can personalise the interface with their own wallpapers and colour themes while also accessing key information such as tyre pressure, temperature, and advanced driver assistance features — all from within the CarPlay environment. 'This next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car,' said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. 'We're excited to kick off the rollout with Aston Martin — and this is just the beginning, with more automakers on the way.' Users can navigate the system using touchscreens, physical controls, or Siri voice commands, offering flexibility in how they interact with both traditional vehicle functions and advanced settings. From managing climate controls and media playback to adjusting audio profiles or performance settings, everything is accessible via the CarPlay Ultra interface. A key feature of CarPlay Ultra is its custom design collaboration with each automaker. The system's aesthetics are co-developed with automotive design teams to ensure the digital interface reflects the brand's identity. This ensures a consistent and immersive user experience that feels tailor-made to the vehicle. CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or later. While the system is currently debuting in North America, global availability is expected within the next 12 months, with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis among the manufacturers preparing to adopt the platform.
USA Today
04-03-2025
- USA Today
'Something in the air': Apple drops new iPad Air. Release date, price, colors, sizes, more.
'Something in the air': Apple drops new iPad Air. Release date, price, colors, sizes, more. Days after it released a new budget-friendly smartphone, Apple has unveiled another new product: iPad Air with M3. The announcement comes less than a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a post on X, teased the launch of a new product with a short video that said: 'There's something in the air.' Apple says its new iPad Air is a "faster, more powerful" version that comes equipped with the M3 chip and is built for Apple Intelligence. The new iPad Air with M3 will have "Apple's advanced graphics architecture" in an iPad for the first time, "taking its incredible combination of power-efficient performance and portability to a new level," the company said in a news release The tech giant adds that the new gadget is "nearly 2x faster compared to iPad Air with M1, and up to 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic, enabling more accurate lighting, reflections, shadows, and extremely realistic gaming experiences." Features, sizes, colors Other features include advanced cameras and fast wireless 5G connectivity and the A16 chip, which "provides a jump in performance for everyday tasks and experiences, while still providing all-day battery life." The new iPad with A16 is nearly 30 percent faster compared to the previous generation, Apple said, adding it is "up to 6x faster than the best-selling Android tablet." iPad Air will be available in two sizes and four colors including blue, purple, space gray and starlight, Apple said, and is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). Magic keyboard Along with the new iPad, Apple is also launching a new magic keyboard, "designed for iPad Air," which the company says will "enhance its versatility and deliver more capabilities at a lower price." The magic keyboard, featuring a larger built-in trackpad and a new 14-key function row, "attaches magnetically" to the iPad while the "smart connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth," Apple said. The larger built-in trackpad will allow for greater precision while the 14-key function row will allow "easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls," as per Apple. 'iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price,' Apple executive Bob Borchers said in a statement. 'For everyone from college students taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro, to travelers and content creators who need powerful productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and the new Magic Keyboard take versatility and value to the next level.' iPad Air preorders, release date Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air starting Tuesday, and the product will be available to buy beginning March 12. How much is the new iPad Air? The new iPad Air will be available for the following prices, according to the news release: 11-inch model - from $599 13-inch model - from $799 The magic keyboard, meanwhile, is available separately in white, for: 11-inch model - from $269 13-inch model - from $319 Apple iPad Air with M3 storage The new iPad Air will have double the starting storage and will be available with the following storage capacity: 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB iPhone 16e Last week, Apple dropped a new, budget-friendly smartphone, the fourth edition of the company's less expensive smartphone series. The new iPhone 16e, starting at $599, features a larger screen, utilizes Face ID, features a USB-C charging port and includes a 48-megapixel rear camera. The smartphone also features Apple's first cellular modem, Apple C1. This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
