Carlinkit vs Ottocast

I've been researching Carlinkit and OttoCast and, the more research I do, the more confused I get. I want one that will allow me to use the PlayStore and probably the phones hotspot. Not sure if I want to use Toyota Connect since I'm seeing if for $25/month which I think is ridiculous. The only thing that would make me use the Toyota Connect is because, when the internet goes down at the house, I use my phone's hotspot so I don't really want to run out of hotspot data when I need it in the house.

I've looked at the Carlinkit Tbox UHD ($190), the Ottocast P3 ($259) and the Ottocast P3 Lite ($189). Then I run across the Carlinkit R2 Smart Streaming Box ($109).

I don't really understand if these things need to be wired since the car already has wireless Android Auto and Carplay? Do they need to interface with my phone or can I use them stand alone without the phone?

I'm thinking that I would plug the device into the USB-C on the side of the 14-in screen but don't understand if I would then be using the Android Auto from the phone or is it built into the Carlinkit/Ottocast?

How easy is it to switch between Android Auto, Carlinkit/OttoCast and the Toyota stuff?

I have no doubt, if I bought something, I would figure it out but I would much rather have it figured out before I buy so that I will be ensured that I buy the right one.

What are you using? What are the pros and cons of the boxes that I'm looking at? Are there others that I should be looking at? I have watched quite a few YouTube videos and I'm still confused.

Advice is appreciated? TIA.

Edit: I may not have explained well enough but one of my points is the Youtubers are always talking about converting wired Android Auto and wired Carplay to wireless with these devices plus they have the other functions that I want but my truck is already wireless Android auto and wireless Carplay. How do I get around that? Or does it just disregard the wired part if I'm already wireless?

Another question would be does anyone have any suggestions on a cheap SIM card with a good amount of data so I wouldn't have to use my hotspot data. I checked with T-Mobile and I have 40gb per month which is probably enough but you don't know until you know.

 

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Everything that I'm seeing tells me I am SOL. Supposedly these devices require a wired Carplay or wired Android Auto input which fools the system. With my truck not having a wired input, everything I'm seeing tells me that I can't use an Ottocast or a Carlinkit in my truck. Bummer!

 

Isn't there a C-type hard-wire input for Android Auto & Apple Carplay on the passenger side of the display?

Edit: I see you already said that in the original post.

 

Yes there is but AI says that it can't be used with one of those devices even though it can be used for wired CarPlay. I'm not sure I understand it but that's what it said.

 

The Ottocast website shows compatibility with 2024 Tacomas. I'd probably shoot them an email or call them & see what they say. I don't trust AI answers as far as I can spit. I've seen way too many blatantly wrong answers to have any faith in it. Maybe yes, maybe no.

 

I am one step ahead of you. I sent them an email 20 minutes ago. They answered saying they're on their weekend but they'll get back to me. And, I agree, AI will lie to you.

 

You're on it. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

 

If the following is true, I'd think they be working on a workaround to make it work.

Straight from the AI horses mouth:

You've hit on a common point of confusion with these devices, and it's a good question! Even though your 2025 Tacoma Limited's 14-inch screen might mention "wired CarPlay compatible," the reason you can't use an Ottocast P3 or Carlinkit TBox UHD is not about the physical port itself, but rather the intent of that wired compatibility in your vehicle, and how these AI boxes function.

Here's a breakdown:

The Nature of AI Boxes (Ottocast P3, Carlinkit TBox UHD):

* These devices are essentially mini-Android computers.

* They are designed to mimic a wired CarPlay/Android Auto connection to your car's infotainment system.

* When you plug them into a USB port that supports wired CarPlay/Android Auto, your car's system believes it's connecting to a phone running CarPlay/Android Auto.

* The AI box then takes over that "CarPlay/Android Auto" interface and projects its own Android operating system, complete with apps like Netflix, YouTube, etc., onto your car's screen.

Your 2025 Tacoma Limited's Setup:

* Native Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto: Your Tacoma already has the advanced capability to connect your phone wirelessly to CarPlay/Android Auto. This means the car's head unit has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules specifically configured for this wireless communication.

* "Wired CarPlay Compatible" Port: While your screen does have a USB port that can technically handle a wired CarPlay connection, it's typically there as a fallback or for charging. The primary, intended mode of operation for CarPlay/Android Auto in your vehicle is wireless.

The Conflict – Why AI Boxes Don't Work (Generally):

* Handshake and Protocol: When you plug an AI box into the wired CarPlay-compatible port, the car's system tries to initiate a wired CarPlay connection. However, because the car also natively supports wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, there can be conflicts in how the head unit prioritizes or handles these connections. The car's software might not be designed to fully hand over control to an external Android system via that wired port when it already has robust wireless capabilities.

* Redundancy and Design: The manufacturers of these AI boxes primarily target vehicles that only have wired CarPlay/Android Auto, or older vehicles where adding these features wirelessly is an upgrade. For cars that already have excellent wireless integration, these boxes offer less utility and are often not fully compatible. The car's system isn't expecting to see a separate Android OS trying to project through its CarPlay interface when it's already set up to do that wirelessly with your phone.

* Specific Chipsets/Software: Even if a wired port exists, the specific software and chipsets used by Toyota for their wireless CarPlay/Android Auto might create a "closed" system that prevents an aftermarket AI box from fully integrating and taking over the display as intended. Some users on forums have reported success with certain AI boxes even with native wireless CarPlay, but it often depends on the specific car model and the specific AI box's firmware, and it's not a guaranteed "plug and play" solution like it would be in a wired-only car.

In essence, while your Tacoma's screen has a wired input for CarPlay, it's typically a secondary function to its primary wireless capability. The AI boxes are designed to "trick" a wired-only CarPlay system into displaying their Android interface, and that trick often doesn't work reliably, or at all, when the car already has advanced native wireless CarPlay/Android Auto built-in.

 

If you want to pay a monthly subscription to plug some junk into your truck that will probably destroy it's operating system then this sounds like an excellent idea. I for one don't so much as want a dash cam plug in, I thought this was going to be a dash cam.

 

Good for you.