Apple's latest iOS 26.4 public beta has brought some major tweaks to CarPlay, including a long-awaited feature for video playback. But before drivers get too thrilled about movie nights behind the wheel, there's a big catch: it only kicks in when the car is parked, of course. Another condition to be fulfilled is a green flight from the manufacturer.
This update rolled out as part of a mid-year refresh that packs in performance boosts and small design changes. People testing the beta spotted screenshots from Apple's own TV app, showing how users could dive back into their watchlists or pick up where they left off, much like on your phone or tablet.
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AirPlay casting from an iPhone works too, complete with on-screen touch controls for play, pause, and skip. Even episode details pop up with those handy blurbs to remind you what you're getting into.
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Every carmaker will not be on board with the idea right away. The software has to sense the vehicle's status to stay safe and not play videos while you're cruising down the highway.
On top of that, iOS 26.4 shakes up CarPlay's app lineup with a fresh category: "Voice-based conversational apps." Chances are, third-party AI applications can join the mix for navigation, audio, or even quick queries. This software will allow the users to talk to them hands-free. It will allow you to ask a question and get a spoken reply, without interrupting Siri's core duties or distracting you from the road.
Apple urges beta testers to keep this off their daily drivers since it's still rough around the edges. Other perks in the update include smarter Apple Music playlists put together by AI, tougher stolen device locks, deeper Health app insights, and better tracking for personal hotspot data.
For Indian drivers hooked on CarPlay, this could make those long parking waits, like at a traffic-clogged mall or charging station, a bit more bearable. However, the automaker will have to give clearance first.