AA Wi-fi Android Auto Dongle evaluation: Merely sensible

I am fortunate sufficient to get to try out a lot of new cars, which is usually a very good factor. Nevertheless, why so many automakers nonetheless attempt to persuade me that their very own satellite tv for pc navigation system is the bees’ knees when it invariably is not is past me. Nope, I, like most different smart people, are inclined to get in and join Android Auto or Apple CarPlay relating to maps and realizing the place I’m going. For my cash, there are few, if any, in-car techniques that may beat Apple and Google’s choices in the mean time.

Associated

Best wireless Android Auto adapter: Ditch the cables

Android Auto is Google’s substitute to your automotive’s infotainment system. If you wish to use it wirelessly, you want one in every of these adapters.

It will get higher although. The AAWireless Android Auto Dongle is a dinky little gadget that’s designed to make getting related and staying that means a breeze. The corporate created the machine to streamline connectivity and let me take pleasure in every thing Android Auto has to supply, with out the tedium of plugging in cables, pairing telephones and all the remainder of it. The setup course of may very well be a bit less complicated, however when you’re there, although, it is glorious.

AAWireless Wi-fi Android Auto Dongle

The AAWireless Dongle for Android Auto is a nifty little gadget that permits you to ditch the cable wanted to determine a reference to a smartphone and in-car techniques and head items. It’ll work with the overwhelming majority of cell telephones and automotive manufacturers too.

Professionals

• Seamless approach to join Android Auto with out cables
• Supporting app is intuitive and simple to make use of
• Works with plenty of telephones and automotive makes

Cons

• So small you may doubtlessly lose it
• Some fiddling wanted throughout setup course of
• No iPhone model but

Value, specs and availability

The AA Wi-fi Dongle for Android Auto is out there nearly all over the place, with Amazon being the obvious place to look relying in your location. Within the US, it prices $75 (about £70 within the UK), which I feel is affordable given the comfort it provides.

Design, look and construct supplies

Compact, straightforward to connect, and cute

Whereas there’s not rather a lot to it, I feel the design and construct of the AAWireless dongle is great. It is compact with dimensions of simply 9 x 49 x 12mm and weighs subsequent to nothing. There is a first rate high quality, although brief, connecting wire included within the field. This was high quality for getting me arrange and operating although. Except for a small booklet, that is about it. My solely fear is that anybody who’s susceptible to mislaying small issues would possibly find yourself dropping it, both of their automobile or round the home when it isn’t getting used. A minor concern although.

Setup and set up ease of use

Set up takes minutes to get going

I would learn just a few product critiques earlier than getting the AAWireless dongle, and it sounded just like the setup course of may very well be problematical. Admittedly, any points I skilled have been in all probability all the way down to not studying up on potential issues beforehand. There is a small handbook included within the field, however this seems to supply little in the best way of directions. As an alternative, I used to be pointed within the route of the AAWireless.app. There’s additionally the choice of scanning the QR code on the again of the booklet.

Both means, you are taken to the obtain for the AAWireless app. That is fast, straightforward and seamless to put in itself. I used to be additionally inspired to replace the firmware throughout set up too, which the app dealt with with out fuss or hassle. The producer recommends doing this because it means you will be utilizing probably the most up-to-date model, which could assist the machine work with some much less well-known manufacturers or head items.

Equally, earlier than buying the AA Wi-fi dongle, it is properly price testing the corporate’s web site, which lets you verify appropriate automobiles and telephones. One level price noting is that it’ll not work with Huawei handsets, so for those who’ve obtained a type of, you’d greatest take a look at our Android Auto wireless adaptor information.

Consumer-experience and dealing with the app

Help and troubleshooting

The AAWireless app is fairly cool. It’s all black and simple on the eyes, permitting you to see what you are doing for those who’re battling harsh mild inside your automotive. The software program’s house web page is easy sufficient too, with 4 important panes that assist you to choose your machine, replace as wanted and pair your cellphone. There is a assist and help tab as properly — simply in case you want help on the go.

The latter is helpful if there are any points throughout setup, together with a set of graphics that allowed me to troubleshoot if the dongle wasn’t functioning appropriately. Nevertheless, the most effective half is the best way the app did many of the work for me. I related my cellphone to the AA Wi-fi dongle through Bluetooth, which then allowed it to attach through Wi-Fi. After that, the machine disconnects from Bluetooth and switches to utilizing Wi-Fi as an alternative.

Theoretically, I solely want to do that as soon as and every time I get into my automotive and need to join, the Wi-Fi will do the exhausting work and routinely connect with my cellphone. To this point, it appears to have been working high quality. It is price noting the AA Wi-fi web site does have some good help data for those who want troubleshooting, with connections dropping out now and again seeming to be a attainable problem with some automobiles and head items. After all, there are many completely different automobile manufacturers and telephones on the market, so it is solely affordable to count on one or two gremlins now and again. Retaining the app up to date appears to be like like the obvious factor to do if I run into points.

Verdict: Is the AAWireless Android Auto Dongle price it?

I really like this gadget, and it appears like good worth to me. Not solely does it take the annoyances out of connecting to Android Auto whereas ditching a cable, it lets me faucet into my favourite apps. Google Maps is the obvious one for me, but it surely’s additionally good for Waze, Spotify and extra moreover. I’ve been happy with the setup and efficiency to this point, though it is early days. Nonetheless, there’s not likely a lot to go flawed, and the app is nice at supporting me and troubleshooting if points do happen. Total then, the AA Wi-fi Android Auto Dongle could be very a lot a hit story.