The artificial intelligence revolution is coming to the car: Apple’s new software update is surprising

The new update to the 26.4 operating system removes the limitations that existed until now and opens the door for external companies to embed their technology within the interface adapted to the vehicle. This is a dramatic step designed to make being behind the wheel much smarter and more interactive than we have known until now.

The Cupertino-based tech giant recently published the updated developer guide for OS 26.4, where it was revealed that a new type of apps will be officially supported in the vehicle interface. Until today, Apple has significantly limited the type of applications that can appear on the car screen, with the aim of preventing dangerous distractions for drivers.

Although the system supported navigation, music and messaging apps, it did not allow companies such as Google, Anthropic or Apple AI to offer their chatbot services directly. This situation has left users solely dependent on the voice assistant Siri, which, despite the improvements it has undergone in recent years, is still considered less advanced compared to the major language models currently on the market.

The update to version 26.4 brings with it additional improvements beyond the world of artificial intelligence. Recent reports indicate that Apple is improving the wireless connectivity between the device and the car, which is expected to reduce battery consumption during prolonged use by at least 15%. Also, the system will be able to present real-time data on the state of the air pressure in the tires and the engine temperature in a graphical and cleaner way, if the vehicle supports the company’s new protocols. The combination of technical data from the vehicle together with the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence may in the future allow the driver to receive recommendations for maintenance in real time, for example if the chatbot detects that the vehicle is heating up and recommends a nearby garage located on the driving route.

The adoption of chatbots in the car will also change the way we consume content while driving. Instead of passively listening to podcasts or the radio, the driver will be able to ask the artificial intelligence to summarize the day’s news for him or explain complex topics to him in a question and answer format. This is a significant improvement in the quality of life for people who spend long hours on the roads. At the same time, road safety organizations have already expressed some concern that even complex voice calls may cause a cognitive load on the driver, so the updated interface includes protection mechanisms that will prevent long text from being displayed on the screen while driving.

Beyond changes in the call applications, version 26.4 also includes critical security fixes and improvements to Apple’s built-in navigation system, which will now be able to offer more energy-efficient routes for electric vehicles with 98% accuracy in accordance with road conditions. It seems that the ultimate goal is to make the mobile device the central brain of the car, one that understands not only where we are going, but also what we need to know or do while driving. The official release of the update is expected to take place in the coming weeks, and the owners of the supporting devices will be able to download it directly through the system settings.