Feb 6 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) is preparing to allow

voice-controlled artificial intelligence apps from other

companies in CarPlay, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing

people familiar with ‌the matter.

The change represents a strategic shift for ​Apple, which,

until now, has only allowed ‍its own Siri assistant as ⁠a

voice-control option. ⁠With this move, users will be able to

query ‌AI chatbots from other ​companies through CarPlay's vehicle

interface for the first time, according to the ⁠report.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not ‍immediately ​respond to a Reuters request for

comment.

AI companies and providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic ‍and

Alphabet's Google would be able to release CarPlay

versions of their apps that include a voice-control mode, the

report added.

However, Apple ( AAPL ) will not let users replace ​the ‍Siri button on

CarPlay or the wake word to summon the service. ​Instead, users

will need to open the app to activate the third-party voice

control, the report said.

The iPhone maker is working to support the apps in CarPlay

within the coming month, ​allowing developers to design their

apps to automatically launch voice mode upon opening, according

to the report.