Thanks to modern technology, smart devices, and an ever-evolving culture of folding new kinds of screens into our lives, the driving experience behind the wheel has completely been transformed.Apple CarPlayfirst emerged as the revolutionary integration platform that seamlessly blendediPhonefamiliarity with the convenience of your vehicle’s infotainment system. It’seasy to use, and it’s now become an everyday part of our lives. So, what are a few of the best CarPlay apps of 2024 that drivers are using to improve their cruising?
At the top of the list are communication tools, convenience aids, entertainment portals, and functional navigation assistance programs. Keep in mind that this list merely presents CarPlay and CarPlay apps within the natural ecosystem and does not discuss any alternatives accessed through software hacks or wireless CarPlay hardware adapters. That’s all intel for another day.
Here are my top contenders – in each category – that will optimize your driving experience.
The best wireless Apple CarPlay adapters
Apple’s CarPlay car software works great over a wired connection, but with the right adapter, even older cars can go wireless.
1Google Maps
Find where you need to go with ease
Any CarPlay app that involves navigation should be on your radar. Whether trekking cross-country or pushing through rush hour traffic, having access to the most current critical information is invaluable. Better yet, having it presented to you without asking is pretty much the only way to go these days. Can you say ready, set, and go?
Google Maps stands out as the premier choice for navigation on Apple CarPlay due to its comprehensive features and real-time updates.
In 2024, the best CarPlay navigation apps offer advanced features to streamline your journey.Google Mapsstands out as the premier choice for navigation on Apple CarPlay due to its comprehensive features and real-time updates. Featuring accurate traffic information, alternative routes, and precise ETAs, Google Maps ensures smooth navigation even in the most congested areas. It seamlessly integrates with CarPlay, offering easy-to-read directions and voice-guided navigation, minimizing distractions for drivers.
Additionally, Google Maps excels in its extensive database of points of interest, providing detailed information on nearby attractions, restaurants, gas stations, and more. You can even specify certain preferences to reflect in your display results. If you only want to see gluten-free restaurant options, Google Maps offers that kind of personalization.
I put Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze to the test to see which navigation app is the best
With 3 apps sharing the top spot for navigation, it’s only natural to wonder which one takes the gold to get you from point A to B.
Naturally,Apple Mapsis just as popular and offers many of the same features. Meanwhile,Wazestands out with its community-driven platform, alerting you to hazards, police presence, and road closures ahead. Waze integrated with CarPlaycan be a lifesaver to get out of a jam, but keep in mind that it might redirect you to follow everyone else it has already sent down that route. My favorite feature on Waze is how anybody can add real-time reporting of conditions and scenarios.
No single navigation app will be the champion for everyone. When it comes to these three options, perhaps it may zero down to personal preference, specific features, layout, or user experience. However, at this point, Google is nudging ahead in offering updated data and has more personalization features to further customize your individual experience.
I tested Google Maps against Apple Maps to see which is actually better
Both Google Maps and Apple Maps have their ups and downs, but there are some things each does better than the other. We break it down.
2onX Offroad
For those who venture off the beaten path
If adventure is your middle name,onX Offroadis a powerful tool, especially when integrated with CarPlay. Drivers can tap into an exceptional navigation experience tailored specifically for off-road adventures. One of the key reasons for Offroad’s greatness on CarPlay is its extensive database of off-road trails, recreation areas, and points of interest, providing drivers with detailed and up-to-date information essential for planning and executing excursions.
Whether you’re seeking remote trails, scenic viewpoints, or camping spots, OnX Offroad will ensure you have access to comprehensive mapping data to enhance the off-road experience. This includes the ability to download and run offline mapping capabilities, enabling drivers to access maps and navigation features even in areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
How to use your iPhone to automatically unlock your car
With car connectivity, your iPhone seems to really do it all. Support for it is still relatively limited, but should continue to grow.
Business on the go
Staying connected while on the road is essential, but safety should always remain a top priority. The best CarPlay phone apps in 2024 prioritize hands-free functionality, and Siri-supported controls, ensuring you can manage calls, texts, and more without taking your eyes off the road. Apple’s standard phone and iMessage apps are highly integrated with CarPlay, of course, but what else is there?
Apps likeFacebook Messenger,WhatsApp,Skype, andTelegramfeature optimized interfaces, allowing you to dictate messages, initiate calls, and even conduct voice conferences with ease. With intuitive voice commands and minimal distraction, these apps redefine in-car communication.
There is no video conferencing feature that will integrate with the CarPlay built-in safety features.
However, if you need to stay in business mode while you are behind the wheel, considerZoom. Zoom Mobile Meetings are a snap to audibly connect and collaborate, and when the phone is connected to CarPlay, the option to accept the Zoom call will display on the CarPlay interface. If you are attempting to initiate a Zoom call, CarPlay will prompt you to ask Siri to make a call or ask you to put the vehicle into park before sending out the invitation. Once the call is accepted, the Zoom call time and meeting controls will appear on the CarPlay interface.
There is no video conferencing feature that will integrate with the CarPlay built-in safety features. This is the same deal forMicrosoft TeamsandGoogle Meet. They all provide an audio-only connection – which there are ways around through third-party apps, but for safety, it’s best to keep your eyes and focus on the road or park the car if you need to show your face during a call.
Why is my Zoom video backward and how do I fix it?
We explain why your Zoom video is mirrored, or why you appear backward in video calls, and what you can do about it.
4ChargePoint
Find your next charge easily
If you are sporting an EV, you already know the highs and lows of charging your ride up. With an app likeChargePoint, it can simplify all the challenges. No matter if you are in town looking for a quick pull of electric juice, or if you are planning out a long-distance trip, ChargePoint packs powerful and intuitive features.
The shortlist includes a comprehensive map of charging station locations paired with real-time detailed information. You can find status, availability, cost, speed capability, and more. Perhaps the two favorite features for frequent users are the ability to join the waitlist and initiate payment and charging directly from the ChargePoint’s station info screen.
Tesla’s lineup is stacked – here’s how I’d choose the perfect EV
Here’s everything you need to know about Tesla’s model lineup so you can pick the EV that fits both your budget and lifestyle.
Save money and earn points
Are you partial to petrol? For the gasoline connoisseurs, there are a myriad of gas station apps and even apps to help save money on gas purchases. TheChevron Mobile Gas Appis one of the most popular and is likely the most user-friendly option coming from an actual gas station service provider.
You could become the gas master with Chevron and CarPlay.
This platform integrated with CarPlay lets you locate and navigate to different stations, select a pump, and pay all from the app. Combine that with the ability to access fuel discounts and earn points, you could become the gas master with Chevron and CarPlay.
AI gives the app some more direction.
The perfect soundtrack to your next trip
Spotifyis the dominant platform when it comes to entertainment on CarPlay, as it’s so popular for its diverse content. No other app offers such an extensive library of songs, playlists, podcasts, and other audio content.
Spotify is only 12 years young, but it’s been downloaded over 30 million times. The way it is integrated with CarPlay, Spotify brings loads of familiar functions and all the content you love, including musical preferences and moods. Its intuitive interface on CarPlay ensures seamless navigation and ease of use while driving, with large, easy-to-read fonts and straightforward menu options, minimizing distractions for drivers.
5 Spotify Premium features I use to maximize my subscription
Whether you’re new to Spotify or just want the best bang for your buck, these features can match music to your mood, build your catalog, and more.
A great conversation starter
Overcaststands out as the premier podcast app for CarPlay due to its comprehensive features tailored specifically for podcast enthusiasts. Presenting a user-friendly interface optimized for CarPlay, Overcast features large, easy-to-navigate menus and intuitive controls that minimize distractions while driving.
One of Overcast’s standout features is its robust recommendation and discovery system, which suggests new podcasts based on your listening habits and preferences. This personalized touch helps you discover fresh content aligned with your interests, keep you engaged, and make sure you’re entertained during the commute or road trip.
Apple Podcasts is now available in Tesla vehicles
An over-the-air update has added the Apple Podcasts app to many Tesla vehicles. Here’s what you need to know.
It is hard to beat the open road, clicking off miles, and a story. An audiobook via the CarPlay app delivers an immersive and enjoyable experience tailored for on-the-go listening. Amazon’sAudibleis the big player in the space and its CarPlay interface has been intuitively designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The customizable playback options allow you to adjust speed, skip chapters, and set bookmarks, and ensure a smooth and uninterrupted listening experience on the road.
There are also many thousands of free titles that cost nothing. Download and delight.
7 Audible podcasts being fully remade into Prime Video shows
Amazon has announced that popular podcasts will be redone… for Prime Video. Here are seven of these new podcast-based shows we can’t wait to watch.
Get the latest scores no matter where you are
When it comes to sports apps for CarPlay,ESPNis hitting home runs for sports lovers. With its comprehensive coverage of a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more, ESPN keeps sports enthusiasts informed and engaged while on the road.
The ESPN app for CarPlay provides access to live scores, game highlights, news updates, and expert analysis, and ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of sports. It’s easy for drivers to browse through different sports categories and access their favorite content with minimal distractions, making it an essential companion for sports fans on the go.
5 sports streaming services for watching live games
Sports have crept more and more into the world of streaming, and some services have become prime destinations for fans of all sorts of sports.
Stay informed, even when on the road
For the news-heads that live and breathe everything that is happening around the compass,BBC Newsstands out as a top choice for CarPlay users seeking reliable and comprehensive news coverage while on the road. Renowned for its journalistic integrity and global reach, BBC News delivers timely updates and in-depth analysis across a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, technology, and culture.
A good alternative for local watchdogs isTuneIn Radio, which provides a bridge to over 120,000 radio stations. It gives you access to sports talk shows, news shows, music, and a wide array of content broadcast on the airwaves.
Tesla is selling karaoke mics for your car, for some reason
It’s one of many gimmick products Tesla and other Musk companies have shipped.
