CarPlay Dolby Atmos added in iOS18, Compatible Vehicles

[Shiverme]

I don’t know where else to ask this so I though here is as good as any!

Apple CarPlay is adding Dolby Atmos:

"Drivers can now listen to Spatial Audio songs and albums available in Apple Music and third-party apps while connected to CarPlay. Vehicles with multichannel audio capabilities can enable an immersive sound experience. Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos can also be implemented in compatible vehicles. [Requires vehicle support. Some models may offer support in certain configurations, and not all models are available in all areas. Support is subject to change. See your dealer for details.]"

I have a 2024 VW Golf R mk8 with the Harmon Kardon system and I’m trying to find out if it will support this or if it would need an update if they’re even inclined to include it.

I’ve contacted Apple, VW direct and my local dealership in the UK and obviously none of them know what I’m talking about 😅

I’m waiting to hear back from Dolby…

 

[MinimeJer05]

Please keep us posted! I did not realize that this was being added. Is it only for the "new" CarPlay experience coming or previous versions?

 

[waw74]

if you have Apple Music, search for dolby labs, They have a couple test albums with a few tracks in different audio formats where it does channel identification (voice says the channel name, then some pink noise). If you try to listen to an atmos track on something that doesn't support atmos, the alternate stereo track it plays tells you you're not getting atmos.

my guess is also your car entertainment system may need an update to handle then incoming atmos.

 

[Shiverme]

if you have Apple Music, search for dolby labs, They have a couple test albums with a few tracks in different audio formats where it does channel identification (voice says the channel name, then some pink noise). If you try to listen to an atmos track on something that doesn't support atmos, the alternate stereo track it plays tells you you're not getting atmos.

my guess is also your car entertainment system may need an update to handle then incoming atmos.

So it definitely doesn't currently handle Atmos...

 

[I7guy]

A little o/t, but I’m wondering if the Apple Music app on teslas will support Dolby atmos.

 

[jefmedia1]

Has there been any more information regarding Atmos via CarPlay? Looking at a car that has Apple Music app on the car, and apparently that is the only way to get Atmos to play, but then you loose maps and other CarPlay features, not thinking I will bother spending the extra money for Dolby Atmos in the car...