Want an AI to chat with in the car? This time, Apple has handed the interface over to Google.
Tap the icon to chat, and pick up or pause the conversation anytime
After drivers with an iPhone 18 Pro or other phones use CarPlay, a Gemini icon will appear on the car screen. Tap it from the home screen or sidebar to start a voice conversation through Gemini Live, or continue from a recent topic. Conversations no longer feel like reading off commands: you can jump in, add details, or switch topics at any time. If you need to keep your eyes on the road, just pause; pick it up again when you're ready. This hands-free chat syncs back to the Gemini app on your iPhone, so after parking you can review summaries and notes.
Email and calendar at your fingertips, turning the passenger seat into an advisor
It's not just for chatting. Gemini can connect to Gmail and Google Calendar to help drivers keep track of the day's schedule, get a daily briefing, clear unread emails, summarize long email threads, and discuss how to reply by voice. Along the way, you can also ask about restaurants near your destination, learn the history behind landmarks, or even use it to practice a speech, prepare for a meeting, or learn something new. Before getting started, update the phone app to the latest version, allow microphone access, and run Gemini Live at least once on your phone. Then connect to CarPlay and you can access it from the car screen.
