Starting with iOS 26.4, Apple supports using AI chatbot apps on iPhone via CarPlay.<\/p>\n
ChatGPT was the first AI app to arrive shortly after the release of iOS 26.4. Now a second AI chatbot has added support: Perplexity.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Similar to ChatGPT for CarPlay, Perplexity’s CarPlay app is designed around voice chat.<\/p>\n However, unlike ChatGPT, Perplexity usually requires a Pro subscription ($20\/month) to do much with voice chat. <\/p>\n for that reason, Perplexity’s CarPlay app<\/a> This will really only be useful for paid subscribers right now.<\/p>\n Otherwise, the CarPlay app will simply tell you that your voice mode limit has been reached.<\/p>\n Still, it’s great to see Perplexity quickly embrace CarPlay support following the release of iOS 26.4.<\/p>\n We’re still waiting to see CarPlay support for other AI chatbot apps like Anthropic’s Cloud and Google’s Gemini. xAI’s Grok also currently lacks CarPlay support.<\/p>\n Also for consumers, Perplexity released its personal computer AI assistant feature for Mac this week. The company also recently brought its AI browser, Comet, from Mac to iPhone and iPad.<\/p>\n Apple only allows specific app categories to work with CarPlay.<\/p>\n This is because CarPlay is designed to make it safer to use iPhone apps while driving.<\/p>\n The category that AI chatbot apps fall into are voice-based conversation apps.<\/p>\n Strictly speaking, these do not have to be AI chatbots.<\/p>\n For example, my favorite sports outlet neworleans.football<\/a> One interactive carplay app<\/a> Based on a mock NFL draft for the New Orleans Saints football team.<\/p>\n This is a very unique example, but it works. Between that and the official New Orleans Saints app, my favorite NFL team might have the best representation on CarPlay.<\/p>\n Have you tried ChatGPT, Perplexity, or any other voice-based conversation app with CarPlay yet? What apps would you like to see join CarPlay next?<\/p>\nCarPlay requires voice mode for perplexity<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nVoice-based interactive apps<\/h2>\n
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