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Apple is preparing to open its CarPlay platform to third-party artificial intelligence voice assistants for the first time, according to a Bloomberg News report published Friday. The move marks a significant departure from the company’s long-standing policy of restricting voice control exclusively to its own Siri assistant in CarPlay. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that users will soon be able to interact with AI chatbots from competing companies through their vehicle’s CarPlay interface.
The change could allow AI providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Alphabet’s Google to develop CarPlay-compatible versions of their applications with integrated voice-control capabilities, according to the report. Apple declined to provide comment when approached about the planned update. Bloomberg’s sources suggest the iPhone maker aims to implement support for these third-party AI voice apps in CarPlay within the coming month.
Limited Integration for Third-Party AI Voice Assistants
While Apple is expanding CarPlay to include competing voice AI services, the company will maintain certain restrictions on how these alternatives operate. According to the report, users will not be able to replace the dedicated Siri button in CarPlay or change the wake word used to summon Apple’s assistant. Instead, drivers will need to manually open third-party AI apps to activate their voice-control features.
However, Apple is reportedly working to streamline the user experience by enabling developers to configure their apps to automatically launch in voice mode when opened. This functionality would reduce the number of steps required for drivers to access alternative AI assistants while using CarPlay. The approach represents a middle ground between maintaining Siri’s privileged position and accommodating growing demand for access to advanced AI chatbots.
Strategic Shift Amid AI Competition
The decision to allow third-party AI voice apps in CarPlay reflects broader competitive pressures facing Apple in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. Major tech companies have invested heavily in developing conversational AI assistants with capabilities that in some areas exceed those of Siri. Additionally, automakers and consumers have increasingly requested more flexibility in choosing their preferred AI assistants for in-vehicle use.
Meanwhile, Apple has been working to enhance its own AI capabilities across its product ecosystem. The company faces mounting expectations to demonstrate how it will compete with rivals who have launched high-profile chatbot services. By opening CarPlay to third-party AI voice assistants, Apple may be acknowledging that restricting users to Siri alone could push some customers toward competing automotive integration platforms.
Implications for Drivers and Developers
The expanded support for AI voice apps in CarPlay could provide drivers with access to more advanced conversational capabilities and specialized knowledge bases while on the road. Different AI assistants offer varying strengths in areas such as natural language understanding, real-time information retrieval, and contextual awareness. In contrast to the current single-assistant model, users would gain the ability to select AI services that best match their specific needs and preferences.
For app developers and AI companies, the change opens a new distribution channel to reach users during their daily commutes and travel. The automotive environment presents unique opportunities for AI assistants to provide navigation support, answer questions, and help drivers accomplish tasks hands-free. Furthermore, the integration could accelerate adoption of newer AI technologies among mainstream consumers who primarily interact with these services through their vehicles.
Apple has not confirmed an exact timeline for when third-party AI voice apps will become available in CarPlay. The company also has not disclosed which specific AI providers will be among the first to launch compatible applications or whether any approval process will govern which services can access the platform.
