Wireless android auto/apple car play for 2020+

Hey guys, not sure if this has been covered yet but I know a lot of people complain about the android auto feature and disconnecting. {this is only on 2020+ 3rd gens}

I got a cool piece of tech in my truck that allows me to use wireless android auto. Basically its just a tiny computer running android that you connect your phone to. This is the "thing" https://onecarstereo.com/products/carplay-ai-box-lite I know there are a few different companies that make stuff like this but this is the one I got. It has a handful of features including watching Netflix and YouTube on the trucks head unit.... yes it works while moving lol

[Steps to get it to work]
Plug in to usb
Turn truck on
Takes about 30/40 secs for the box to boot
Make sure your phones wifi and Bluetooth is on
Connect to the ai box from phone
Click apple car play/ android auto on head unit

After the first setup it will automatically start up with the truck so long as your phone is near and Bluetooth + wifi is on.

I did do a YouTube video on this if anyone is more interested in video form.

 

I just upgraded my entire set, 6x9's, 6.5's, and a 10" sub in a 40split taco tunes box.
The range and volume difference is amazing, but as a whole its starting to highlight the issues with the factory head unit and variations in source audio reproduction.
I been eyeing this unit as a way to streamline or baseline the audio from a single controlled source, as opposed to the varying bitrates of streaming services like soundcloud et all.
Im currious to know how well it ties into the factory unit. Does it still go back to home screen when coming to a stop? If you have your 360/terrain cams set on auto, will the screen go back to netflix/music/dongle box screen without additional button presses?

Im considering the higher unit, the carlinkit AI box, so i can put another sim card in it and have all the features without having my phone hard connected. If i understand correctly, you can get all the wired features including nav/googlemaps and calling, via another cell line. But then you'd just have another cell line in a raspi, basically.

FWIW, visibile wireless, a sub company of verizon. Offers unlimited (albeit throttled) data plans for $25/mo in a group pay. Ive used these in a pinch with great success.

 

Just installed the

$100 Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Car Adapter - Instant Connection from Smartphone to Car Screen with Easy Setup - Direct Plug-in USB Adapter - Secure Gel Pad Included

Motorola MA1 the other day. It was easy to setup and is working fine. I'm using Android Auto with a Samsung S8+
I did have to make a setting change in my VPN to not protect the "Tacoma" network.

 

One of the early things I bought for my truck was a 90-degree USB adapter for my phone connection which is great because it keeps that wire out of the way of my cupholders and lets it loop nicely right back into the cubby along the top with some 3M tape. (I have a DMM so the cable runs through a hole and around the radio to pop out next to the phone magnet.)

You could probably use one of those and then just tape/velcro everything to the top of the cubby and out of sight.

Adapters:

$11 Antrader USB 3.0 Right Angle 90 Degree UP & Down Extension Cable Male to Female Converter Data Adapter Cord 2 Pairs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F7Y21GW