Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto dongles are two-a-penny, coming onto the market thick and fast but not all are equal. Onecarstereo’s Smart AI Box is a mini-computer that has on-board apps and converts wired CarPlay/Android into wireless.
UPDATE: AFTER 4 DAYS OF TESTING, UNIT RANDOMLY DISCONNECT WHILE USING GOOGLE MAPS TO NAVIGATE
We’ve tested many of these dongles with varying levels of satisfaction. Most have one job: as a wireless converter. Smart AI Box adds useful functions running on an Android OS, such as YouTube, Playstore and Netflix, which come pre-installed. Other native functions allow wifi and wireless applications, as well as the obvious advantages of Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.
Order HERE – Current Discount up to 25% off
For $199 USD, Onecarstereo ships free worldwide, and comes with a Qualcomm QCM2290 Quad Core CPU processor and 64gb of ram. There is a Micro SD slot to play stored content, or you can stream via YouTube or your mirrored smart phone.
Video Review: 2OneCarStereo Wireless CarPlay “Smart AI Box” Review Part 1: Unboxing and first test – GayCarBoys review – Alan Zurvas
Video Review: 2023 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye FULL REVIEW + Australian GR Yaris local launch footge – GayCarBoys review – Alan Zurvas
Video Review: Why My 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the Best Gay Car Mini Review
#jeepaustralia, #jeep, #jeepwrangler, #wranglerrubicon, #alanzurvas, #gaycar, #gaycarboys #shorts
- Top GayCarBoys Stories:
- Sexy Men Drive 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross
- 10 Sexiest MotoGP Motorcycle Riders
- DON’T Drive YOUR CAR until you’ve Checked if your AIRBAG will KILL YOU
- 10 Hottest Racing Drivers
- Top 12 Best Gay Lesbian LGBTI Luxury Cars
- Top 10 Gay Lesbian LGBT Cars
- Top 10 Gay Lesbian LGBT Sports Cars
- Top 15 gay and lesbian LGBT SUVs
- Talented Twinks – Callum Ilott Virtually Races Arthur Leclerc
ABOVE: Is Onecarstereo “Smart AI Box” for Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Any Good?
In Detail:
Important note: This device only works for cars that already have wired CarPlay, furthermore, it will not work on brands exclusively running wireless CarPlay such as BMW.
The unit is very light, and will plug and play once connected to the car’s USB port. After a few moments, you’re presented with an interface displayed on the car’s infotainment system. Some touchscreen systems need restarting in order to recalibrate, after which the Smart AI Box’s desktop is shown in full screen. Pressing “Quickplay” prompts connection with your phone and after following the prompts on your phone, CarPlay/Android Auto is presented and will operate as if the phone was plugged into USB.
After the initial pairing, it takes a minute to reconnect when the car is restarted, otherwise the system has performed well.
We tried several phone calls which could be heard clearly at both ends, something we could not say about Cplay2Air which was completely unusable for phone calls.
Although CarPlay/Android Auto appearance is identical to USB or inbuilt wireless, the Smart AI Box’s native user interface looks slightly clunky. It is from here that you will use the in-built apps such as YouTube. Once you’ve used the system for a while, familiarity allows quick navigation, and the response is reasonably fast. While you can also use YouTube and other such functions on your phone, Apple’s CarPlay is restrictive as to what is supported by CarPlay. Smart AI Box compensates for some of that shortfall. For that alone, Smart AI Box is worth every penny.
You probably won’t ever have cause to use the SD slot, but it is there if you want some videos on stand-by in case you’re out of cell range. It comes in handy when charging EVs for example, where EV chargers are often found in shopping centre basements where your 5G is useless.
We’ve noticed the same box on other sites with different branding, but have not compared specification.
On long trips, users will still need to power their phones by either a Qi wireless charger or by plugging into a USB. There are a few things to consider too; when using wired CarPlay your phone is oncstantly charging which may shorten the life of the battery. With this adaptor, users will be able to charge as desired, and in any of the USB outlets, or at a 12V/USB adaptor. In other words, you get flexibility not available with wired systems.
The Smart AI Box can stay connected to the USB port and be tucked discretely out of the way, so we think it is one of the best adaptors we’ve used.
Order HERE – Current Discount up to 25% off
Verdict:
The Onecarstereo Smart AI Box seems to operate as promised and extends the range of use of early wired phone mirroring audio systems. After a few days of use, we are impressed. Onecarstereo Smart AI Box is certainly one of the easiest-to-use wireless adaptors on the market. It is in fact, a small PC and as such, is able to offer features over and above CarPlay/Android Auto.
Buyers of Hyundai Group cars, which include Genesis and Kia, will be getting wireless CarPlay on newer infotainment systems as an over-the-air update. For everyone else with wired mirroring, Smart AI Box is a mid-priced solution that has worked perfectly for us so far.
In part 2 of our review, we will delve further into the onboard apps, as well as reporting on how easy the Smart AI Box has been to use.
So far, Smart AI Box gets full marks for design and function, and average marks for the user interface. The latter could easily be updated at any time. We think Smart AI Box rates as excellent.
Order HERE – Current Discount up to 25% off
GayCarboys EV Stories
- Polestar 2 VS Tesla Model 3
- 2022 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Review
- Polestar 2 Where Its Google OS is Star-Trek-Meets-Car-Trek
- How Much and How Long to Charge My Polestar 2?
- Meet Polestar O2 Concept and its Autonomous Drone
- Polestar 2 Gets 5-Star suv Safety Rating
- Polestar’s New Platform Inspired by Supercars
- Polestar 5: A Look Behind the Scenes of its Design
- Electric Car Brand Polestar and Thijs Biersteker Art Installation
- Polestar 2 Australian Pricing Announced