Wireless Apple CarPlay: The Ultimate Cable-Free Experience
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The Freedom of Wireless Technology
In today's world, minimizing clutter is essential, especially in our cars. I recently purchased a gadget designed to eliminate the hassle of wires in my vehicle, and I couldn't be happier. The biggest draw for me was the ability to connect my phone without a physical cable. With so many cords already in my life, adding another from my phone to the car's USB connection was not appealing at all.
Discovering Wireless CarPlay
After seeing various promotions for wireless CarPlay, I decided to make the leap and purchased the CPLAY2AIR model. It has quickly become one of my most valuable gadgets over the past couple of years. While I did experience some initial lag, the device has undergone several free firmware updates since my purchase, significantly improving its performance.
The setup is straightforward: simply connect the dongle to the available CARPLAY (USB-A) port and enable the Bluetooth and WIFI features on both your phone and your car's head unit. For those with newer vehicles, a USB-C option is also available.
Effortless Connectivity
Once installed, my phone remains in my pocket, seamlessly interfacing with the car's head unit. When I start the engine, the device takes a moment to boot up, and within seconds, I'm ready to hit the road!
Navigating Minor Issues
While the device has generally worked well, there were a few instances where it froze or failed to connect. In these cases, simply detaching and reattaching the unit resolved the issue. I attribute these glitches to my use of the beta iOS system from Apple. The compact design of the unit is also a plus, as I can easily store it in my center console. As I mentioned, "it just works!"
Availability of Options
While I can vouch for the CPLAY2AIR, it's worth noting that it took over a week for it to arrive since the orders are processed overseas. There are other alternatives emerging regularly, such as Carlinkit, which boasts quicker shipping times. However, in my opinion, wireless CarPlay is the superior choice!
Video Insights
To further understand the benefits of wireless CarPlay, check out these informative videos:
Add Wireless Apple CarPlay to Any Car | Carpuride W901 Review
This video reviews how to add wireless Apple CarPlay functionality to any vehicle using the Carpuride W901.
Apple CarPlay Hack for 2024 Road Glide, Street Glide
This tutorial shares tips and tricks for using Apple CarPlay with the 2024 Road Glide and Street Glide motorcycles.