WhatsApp is now compatible with Apple CarPlay, but there is a drawback.

      Will Ireland/MacFormat Magazine/Future via Getty Images / CarPlay

      There was a time when cars were simply for transportation. Over the years, significant changes have occurred. However, until recently, WhatsApp was not fully supported on CarPlay. Now, WhatsApp is officially available on Apple CarPlay, which is indeed significant for many users.

      Your dashboard has been updated

      After being in beta for some time (and noticed by the vigilant team at WABetaInfo), the standalone WhatsApp app for CarPlay is now launched. It comes with the WhatsApp for iOS version 26.13.74 update. The feature is beginning to roll out in India and other regions, allowing access to WhatsApp directly through your car's infotainment system, provided your iPhone is connected.

      The version of WhatsApp for CarPlay is not merely a scaled-up version of your phone screen. It has been redesigned for driving, meaning it minimizes distractions. You can view recent chats and call history in clearly organized sections, make WhatsApp calls straight from your car's dashboard, and reply to messages via voice dictation. This is particularly important. Previously, you had to depend on Siri to read and respond to messages, which worked but was not always seamless. Now, WhatsApp eliminates that extra step, making replies feel more immediate.

      There's a downside

      Before you get overly excited, there is a downside — and it makes sense. While driving, you cannot open chat threads directly on the CarPlay screen. If you want to read a conversation, you’ll need to stop and check your phone. This is a deliberate choice to minimize distractions, and it’s difficult to argue against that rationale.

      From my perspective, this update feels like a genuinely thoughtful improvement. It knows where to set boundaries, reducing distractions while maintaining convenient access. You can quickly respond using voice dictation, answer calls without searching for your phone, and keep connected without taking your eyes off the road for too long. It doesn't try to do everything, and that’s exactly why it’s effective. Instead, it emphasizes performing essential tasks well, enhancing the connectedness of your daily drives without cluttering your dashboard with distractions.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, bringing over five years of experience in the tech industry.

      EXCLUSIVE: Exit 8 director discusses adapting a video game into a cinematic experience

      Director Genki Kawamura elaborates on how he transformed the video game into the haunting film, Exit 8.

      In recent years, video games have seen improved adaptations for film and TV. Since 2020, there have been successes like the Sonic the Hedgehog films, HBO's The Last of Us, and Netflix’s Arcane. Now, indie film distributor NEON (Parasite, Anora) has entered this contemporary trend by showcasing one of the best video game adaptations to date, Exit 8. Directed and co-written by Genki Kawamura, this surreal horror film is based on the walking simulator, The Exit 8, created by indie developer Kotake Create.

      Exit 8 follows "The Lost Man" (Kazunari Ninomiya) as he attempts to escape a Tokyo subway tunnel that loops endlessly. To find his way out, he must abide by certain rules: "Do not overlook anything unusual. If you encounter an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you choose to proceed, then exit from Exit 8." A single misstep sends the character back to the start, and the anomalies range from minor to terrifying.

      Read more

      You can now ask ChatGPT to help find your next movie or TV show on Tubi

      Finding free movies has become simpler! Tubi is now integrated within ChatGPT.

      Searching through a streaming library for something to watch can be tiring. However, Tubi has addressed this issue. The free streaming service has been incorporated into ChatGPT, making it the first video streaming platform to do so. Starting today, you can request movie and TV recommendations from Tubi's catalog through ChatGPT and begin watching in seconds, all without leaving the chat interface.

      Roku has added six free channels featuring classic sitcoms, reality TV, and films

      Roku is steadily building one of the finest free streaming offerings available.

      If you’re seeking more reasons to enjoy your Roku device, here’s a great one. Roku has quietly enhanced The Roku Channel with six new free channels, now available on all Roku TVs and streaming players. This recent addition expands the already extensive library of the platform, which includes hundreds of live channels and thousands of on-demand titles.