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iOS 26 Brings Five Fresh Customization Features for CarPlay

# Personalizing CarPlay in iOS 26: Five New Features

CarPlay has undergone a major enhancement with iOS 26, bringing a variety of novel features that expand user customization possibilities. Here are five methods to tailor your CarPlay experience.

## 1. Intelligent Display Zoom

Intelligent Display Zoom is a recent addition aimed at optimizing your CarPlay arrangement depending on the dimensions and form of your in-car display. The Intelligent Display Zoom toggle can be located in CarPlay’s Settings app under Display. This feature is disabled by default and might not be present in all vehicles, but it should be available in most contemporary cars.

## 2. Widgets

Widgets have finally arrived in CarPlay with iOS 26. They are placed to the left of your CarPlay Home Screen, allowing you to see anywhere from one to three widget stacks, based on your screen size. To modify your widgets, head to Settings on your iPhone, then General > CarPlay > Your Car > Widgets. You can add or delete widgets, with a limit of five per stack, and decide whether to enable Smart Rotate.

## 3. New Backgrounds

iOS 26 presents a variety of new backgrounds for CarPlay, providing a refreshed appearance for the interface. Six color variants are available, all adaptations of the new default iPhone wallpaper. Each background adjusts dynamically based on whether you are utilizing light mode or dark mode. You can alter your CarPlay background through the in-car Settings app under Wallpaper.

## 4. Text Resizing

For the first time, iOS 26 permits users to adjust text size within CarPlay, akin to the accessibility settings found on the iPhone. To modify the text size system-wide across CarPlay, follow these steps:
1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility, then Text Size.
3. Choose your desired text size, and CarPlay will provide a preview of the size.

## 5. Modify App Icon Styles

CarPlay now includes customization choices for app icon styles, reminiscent of the iPhone’s Home Screen. In CarPlay’s Settings app, you can select from Default, Dark, or Clear styles for app icons, which can be adjusted for light or dark mode. The clear style offers a transparent Liquid Glass appearance to your icons.

These new features in iOS 26 enable a more tailored and user-centric CarPlay experience. What are your preferred methods to personalize your CarPlay setup?

Ryan Reynolds’ Upcoming Apple TV Film: A Comedy-Infused Spy Thriller

### Mayday: A Fresh Ryan Reynolds Film Arriving on Apple TV This September

Apple TV is preparing to unveil a much-awaited new movie named **Mayday**, featuring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. This film is characterized as a “genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy that turns the spy thriller upside down.”

#### Release Date and Synopsis

**Mayday** is set to debut on **Friday, September 4** on Apple TV. The narrative centers on U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, played by Reynolds, who embarks on a classified mission into Russian territory during the peak of the Cold War. The operation goes off course, leaving him trapped behind enemy lines. He is stumbled upon by Nikolai Ustinov, a tough ex-KGB operative portrayed by Branagh, who possesses an unexpected appreciation for American culture. The story unfolds around the unanticipated partnership that evolves between the two men, which might facilitate Troy’s rescue and foster an unforeseen camaraderie.

#### Official Storyline Description

Apple’s official storyline description offers insight into the film’s plot:

> “When ace U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly (Reynolds) is dispatched on a confidential mission into Russian territory during the peak of the Cold War, the initiative collapses, leaving him isolated behind enemy lines. Found by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a stern ex-KGB operative with a liking for American culture, Troy believes he’s finished — but could an unexpected partnership between the two lead to Troy’s rescue and a relationship neither anticipated?”

#### Context and Anticipations

This film signifies Ryan Reynolds’ second leading role on Apple TV, following his appearance in the festive film **Spirited** alongside Will Ferrell. Although **Mayday** has the capacity for a theatrical release, Apple has chosen to launch it directly on its streaming service. In light of the success of earlier films like **F1: The Movie**, which excelled at the box office, Apple currently has no theatrical release plans scheduled for 2026.

#### Subscription Details

For those eager to view **Mayday** at its launch, Apple TV is priced at **$12.99 per month**, with savings available through the **Apple One package**.

As the launch day nears, excitement grows for what is expected to be a thrilling addition to Apple TV’s collection of original films.

Promises and Pitfalls of Personalized Health

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they’re going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. A few days ago, my esthetician was smearing hot wax on my face. The two caterpillars I call […]

The Surprising Excellence of the Trump Arcade Game

This week, a trio of video game cabinets emblazoned with pixel art of Donald Trump and a number of other government officials’ faces suddenly appeared at the DC War Memorial. Looking at the cabinets from a distance, it’s easy to get the sense that Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell (which you can also play […]

4 Distinct Kindle App Features Not Found on a Traditional Kindle

reasons that demonstrate the advantages of reading e-books on a Kindle in comparison to reading on your smartphone, including the fact that Kindles are more beneficial for your eyesight than phones or tablets. Anecdotal observations indicate that Kindle e-readers can have an extended lifespan, with some individuals successfully utilizing them for almost ten years. Nonetheless, the Kindle reading applications that many people utilize on their smartphones, tablets, and desktops offer a variety of advantages and functions that are not available on the e-reader. These advantages can be particularly useful for those who favor reading on their phone or alternate between the e-reader and their mobile device, based on their needs and circumstances.

The exclusive features of the Kindle app include providing you with a helpful summary of the section of the book you have read up to this point, as well as a clever reading ruler for improved concentration. Keep in mind that the availability of these features may differ among platforms, and one platform, such as Kindle for iOS, usually receives the features first before they are introduced to other platforms. However, if you can access them, they are certainly worth exploring.

Story So Far

Even though both Kindles launched since 2018 and Kindle apps can summarize most books you have finished, in case you seek a more recent reminder, solely the Kindle app features the Story So Far option to help you recall a book you are currently reading. As the title indicates, Story So Far summarizes the main points of the section of the book that you have read up until now, assisting you in remembering if you return to a read after a lengthy absence. The feature shares only the spoiler-free version to prevent any unintended disclosures.

Regrettably, Story So Far is confined to Kindle for iOS in the U.S. as of May 2026. To use it, press and hold the book in your Kindle library and look for the “Read recap” button. Alternatively, when the book is open, use the three-dot menu to navigate to Recap and select Story So Far. It remains uncertain when this feature will be available for the Android version of the Kindle or the desktop applications.

9to5Mac Daily: May 15, 2026 – OpenAI Declares Plan to Initiate Legal Proceedings Against Apple

### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Hub for Apple News and Insights

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, keeping abreast of the latest happenings is vital, particularly for Apple fans. **9to5Mac Daily** acts as a key resource, offering daily summaries of the most impactful stories within the Apple ecosystem. This enlightening podcast is crafted to keep listeners apprised of the newest developments, product unveilings, software revisions, and industry dynamics.

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Audiences can conveniently access **9to5Mac Daily** via multiple platforms, including [iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily), [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily). For those who enjoy a more customized experience, a specific [RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) is provided for Overcast and other podcast applications.

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Fresh episodes of **9to5Mac Daily** are produced every weekday, guaranteeing that subscribers receive prompt updates on the latest events in the Apple sphere. Each episode includes discussions on diverse subjects, such as product evaluations, software enhancements, and insights into Apple’s corporate strategies.

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