Wireless CarPlay

[Stevo59]

My sense is that the wireless adapters are hit or miss. I have two of the same model. One in my 2020 GT works perfectly consistently; one in our 2017 Volvo XC is quite wonky.

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[WD Pro]

Which model is that?

CarPlay2Air

WD

 

[joe603]

This is what I use and it works flawlessly. You have to have your phone plugged in for the first time, then you can use this adapter. I keep it in the center console. It says Android Auto, but I'm sure it would work with Apple.

Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Car Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PQ95GY4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Snakebyte]

In another thread, people mentioned concerns about privacy relative to Ford potentially collecting data and selling it. Well there's another aspect to keep in mind with devices like this.

Speaking with a relative tasked with electronic security, I'm skeptical of devices that originate outside of the US especially. If a device requires access to my phone to transfer data, I question "Is there a backdoor risk which could be exploited now, or opened in the future to access and/or abuse my data."

Here is a good question to ask..."Do I have sensitive information (including bank accounts) on my device. Or do I use a home wifi on my phone which can provide a bridge to my sensitive data?" You'd be surprised how many data breaches happened through indirect exploitation of a device to access a third system.

I'm not saying that any of the currently available Carplay interfaces "are" bad. I'm just encouraging prudence to research potential long-term risks, and choose with an informed decision.

 

[RTFM]

I'm skeptical of devices that originate outside of the US especially. If a device requires access to my phone to transfer data, I question "Is there a backdoor risk ..."

I empathized with that thinking. Especially when there is a foreign state power that could sit behind it. A couple of things that keep my mind at ease:

• Apple is still the one that controls the display.
• What a backdoor system would be able to do is steal the graphics and the sound, for example when you ask Siri the read out loud your last text messages.
• The backdoor system won't be able to access the actual text characters from that message, or any other message.
• The device can't access the data on your phone. Only the data on your car (that's what it is plugged into afrer all)

One caveat: the device communicates with your phone via Bluetooth and/or Wifi. So a security bug in there can be a vector for attacks. Just like with any Bluetooth speakers you have used already. Or any open Wifi access points.

 

[Pittpa]

I am using Carlinkit 5.0 and am reasonably happy with it. I still have to open the armrest once or twice a month while driving to unplug/reboot it. But that’s a minor inconvenience for being able to keep my phone in my pocket all the time.

I don't like (anymore) recharging my phone in the middle of the day. It was an unhealthy mental obsession. I also changed the iPhone battery setting to display color coding (green, orange, red) instead of percentage.

@MagneticGT76
The company has a "Save30" code on their site store until the end of November to get 30% off.
Link is at bottom left of page. https://www.carlinkit.com/CarLink
The 4.0/5.0 are $85/$89 respectively before the 30% discount.

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