Apple Maps has come a long way since its disastrous launch in 2012 but a number of iPhone users still prefer alternatives such as Google Maps or Waze.
Those apps are available in the App Store but if you wanted to use them for navigation with CarPlay, you were out of luck. Thankfully that’s about to change.
Apple is holding its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California and the company has announced iOS 12 will finally bring third-party navigation support to CarPlay. Apple now says programs – such as Google Maps and Waze – will be “displayed right on the car’s dash — joining music, messaging, calling and automaker apps.”
Apple was tight-lipped on details but CNET reports the company briefly showed a CarPlay interface with featured options for Google Maps, Waze and Autonavi Navigation. It remains unclear if these will be the only supported third-party navigation apps for CarPlay but, even if they are, it’s an improvement over being forced to use Apple Maps exclusively.
The move follows Google’s decision to allow third-party navigation apps for Android Auto. Waze support was added last year but it remains the only other option than Google Maps.
iOS 12 will be released this fall and it is being billed as the “latest version of the most advanced mobile operating system.” While there aren’t many automotive focused features, it brings a number of performance and security improvements.
Siri, which can be used with CarPlay, has also been upgraded and Apple says the virtual assistant is more knowledge about sports, celebrities, food and nutrition. This means users could be able to ask Siri how last night’s game ended while on the drive to work.
