Apple unveils minor CarPlay update at WWDC 2020

Have you been waiting for a major update to Apple CarPlay, something that might add a new UI or on-phone usage ala Google's Android Auto? Yeah, we are too, and while sadly that didn't come to pass at this year's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple did at least announce a few minor tweaks.

Like what? How do you feel about custom wallpapers? Yeah, OK, not too exciting, but the company is offering three new categories of apps: parking, food ordering and EV charging. While the first two are clearly helpful, it's that last one that will perhaps be most useful as we see more EVs coming to market, like Ford's Mustang Mach-E. Indeed, that app will surely be a crucial part of the new Apple Maps EV routing update, also announced at this year's WWDC.

Apple CarPlay was first introduced at WWDC way back in 2013, back when it was called "iOS in the Car." It wasn't until the following year's Geneva Motor Show that it turned into CarPlay, debuting with Ferrari of all places. In some ways it's come a long way since then, but in other ways has fallen short of some of the innovations Google has since introduced into its own in-car interface, Android Auto. When will it properly catch up? We'll keep on waiting.