Next-Generation CarPlay Images With Audi Logo Appear in EU Database

Apple this month filed next-generation CarPlay images with the EU's Intellectual Property Office, as it seeks to protect the design of the upcoming software system there. It is yet another sign that next-generation CarPlay might finally be nearing launch, after a few redesigned icons for the system showed up in iOS 18.2 beta code earlier this month.

Next Generation CarPlay Porsche 1Porsche's preview of next-generation CarPlay from December 2023

The images show various next-generation CarPlay instrument cluster and interface designs, including a few with what appears to be the logo for German automaker Audi. When it first previewed next-generation CarPlay in June 2022, Apple said Audi was committed to offering it, but the automaker has yet to confirm any specific plans.

Next Generation CarPlay EU Image FilingsA few of the next-generation CarPlay images filed in the EU

The database entries were discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Apple has already shown off what next-generation CarPlay looks like several times, so the images do not show anything we have not seen before, but the timing of the filings is notable. Apple's website continues to say that the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay support will "arrive in 2024," but it has yet to provide a more specific timeframe. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay vehicle designs in December 2023, but neither automaker has released any vehicles with support yet.

With just over a month left in the year, some are beginning to wonder if Apple will still meet its stated 2024 timeframe for next-generation CarPlay. So, it is reassuring that Apple is still working towards a launch behind the scenes.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

ios 18 4 carplay

iOS 18.4 Includes a Small But Useful Change for CarPlay

Sunday February 23, 2025 2:23 pm PST by
The first beta of iOS 18.4 is now available, and it includes a small but useful change for CarPlay. As we noted in our list of iOS 18.4 features, CarPlay now shows a third row of icons, up from two rows previously. However, this change is only visible in vehicles with a larger center display. For example, a MacRumors Forums member noticed the change in a Toyota Tundra, which can be equipped...
iphone 17 lineup cad render majin bu

Revealed: Entire iPhone 17 Lineup's Striking New Camera Designs

Monday February 24, 2025 2:49 am PST by
A new CAD render of all the devices in Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup has been shared online by leaker Majin Bu, specifically showing the allegedly different rear camera system designs of the standard iPhone 17, all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. The leaker Majin Bu has had some hits in the past, but some of his information has been wrong,...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
airtag orange

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch in May or June With These New Features

Monday February 24, 2025 6:11 am PST by
Apple plans to launch a second-generation AirTag in May or June this year, according to a post today from a leaker known as Kosutami. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that a new AirTag would be released in mid-2025. May or June would align with that timeframe. Below, we recap three new features rumored for the AirTag 2: With a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the...
ios 18 4 ambient music

iOS 18.4 Adds New Ambient Music Feature

Friday February 21, 2025 11:06 am PST by
In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category. You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Has No Visible Display Crease – Report

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:58 am PST by
Apple is making significant headway on its long-rumored foldable iPhone, with a new report suggesting the company has achieved a major breakthrough by effectively eliminating the screen crease that plagues current foldable devices. According to Korean publication ETNews, Apple is finalizing its component suppliers for the foldable iPhone, with the selection process expected to be completed...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
apple watch ultra snow

6 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Tuesday February 25, 2025 9:00 am PST by
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to launch later this year, arriving two years after the previous model with a series of improvements. While no noticeable design changes are expected for the third generation since the company tends to stick with the same Apple Watch design through three generations before changing it, there are a series of internal upgrades on the way. By the time the ...

Top Rated Comments

KrisLord Avatar
13 weeks ago
For all the talk on interfaces in modern cars - if a manufacturer just got on with implementing this new Apple CarPlay it would be a huge selling point.

Every car review moans about the poor software and interface design.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carlson-online Avatar
13 weeks ago
The images need swapping around.

The article is about the audi logo yet the first thing you see is a Porsche steering wheel
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jandalf Avatar
13 weeks ago
Am I the only one who thinks going at 205 km/h and fumbling around with Car Play is not a good match (or thoughtful ad)?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sahajesh Avatar
13 weeks ago

Am I the only one who thinks going at 205 km/h and fumbling around with Car Play is not a good match (or thoughtful ad)?
Why are you fiddling with anything non-essential at that speed?

Bad workman etc.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
13 weeks ago

The images need swapping around.

The article is about the audi logo yet the first thing you see is a Porsche steering wheel
It's a stylistic choice, as the database images are ugly. I added a caption to the Porsche image to avoid any confusion.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erihp Avatar
13 weeks ago
physical buttons please
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)