iOS 16 also brings new CarPlay features along with the new features and improvements for iPhone. And not only the next version of the car operating system that will rule all screens (if the manufacturers allow it), but also small improvements for the version included in iOS 16.
In this sense, one of the new options that CarPlay will include in iOS 16 is support for new categories of applications, including those compatible with “fuel and driving”. Which means that, whether developers include these new APIs in their appsusers will be able to refuel and pay for gasoline without getting out of the car.
It is not very clear how they will implement this functionality, especially since for some time now most gas stations in regions such as Europe require you to get out of the car to refuel, so it does not represent a substantial change either.
Refuel without getting out of the car thanks to CarPlay
This functionality is more intended for the North American market, since chains like Sinclair seem to plan to use the technology. According to statements to Reutersthe company is especially excited that “consumers can navigate to a Sinclair station and purchase fuel from their vehicle’s navigation screen,” all without getting out of the car.
According to Apple Developer Notes documenting the system, driving task applications should help enable all sorts of features drivers need while driving and that are not purely related to navigation. These do not include typical navigation features like finding nearby stores, as customers are expected to use Maps for this.
An example of a possible driving task application is a tool to help record mileage for business travel expenses, the aforementioned option to refuel from CarPlay or to keep track of car metrics, for example.
This means that new refueling apps must offer a “significant functionality” relevant to driving and cannot simply be a list of nearby service stations.
The new driving task and CarPlay app templates for fueling join previously supported activities such as audio, messaging, electric vehicle charging, parking, and fast food ordering.