My current car, and my last one too, supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay, but for some reason Android always required a wired USB connection, whereas Carplay seemed to be able to do everything wirelessly.
That always bugged me, as while I use an Apple laptop, I really don't like IPhones, so didn't want to change phones just to get wireless connectivity.
That's where this comes in:
Instead of connecting my phone with a cable, this plugs in and pairs with the phone using bluetooth and gives you wireless Android Auto capabilities. It took me less than 5 minutes to set up and have all the Android Auto facilities, such as Waze for navigation and YouTube music and voice operation, but without the annoyance of physically connecting my phone to the car by cable.
It seamlessly reconnects when you jump in the car too. It also means I can use the wireless charging pad that's in the car too. Luckily my USB port is in the centre console, so the MA1 is completely hidden from view.
Aside from that, it also means that there will be less wear on the USB socket, something I've had a problem with before on previous phones. Since my car also has a wireless charging pad, I can now just pop the phone in that too.
If like me you want a wireless Android Auto solution and have Android 11 or higher, then this is a great solution, although I would say that the MA1 is a bit on the expensive side.
There are cheaper options to be found alongside the MA1 on Amazon, but wireless Android Auto is definitely a good thing, however you do it.
A quick review - Motorola MA1
- rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin
- Posts: 11236
- Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
- Location: Essex
- Contact:
A quick review - Motorola MA1
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...