Review - AAWireless Two - Wireless Android Auto

[awd.nv]

I just want to give the AAWireless Two a huge positive 5 of 5 review. It not only made Android Auto wireless possible, it allows for you to change the DPI setting which added features to Google Maps (Incident Reporting). They have a lot of custom settings to really make it work the way you want. I will elaborate below but they really thought about it all.

- Connection is fast and reliable
- Custom settings to get the experience you want
- At $55, it is a no brainer. There is a new version with Android and Carplay in one unit for more
- They actually update the app on Android as well as firmware on the device, in the 4 months of ownership it has gotten maybe 2 firmware updates and a couple phone software updates. Never had issues with any of the versions though.

- Keep in mind, wireless Android Auto is a battery hog due to using Bluetooth and your WiFi signal at the same time. Be it in Honda OEM Wireless Android Auto or Ford OEM in an F150, it just drains battery but the simple fix below is great for me.

How I use it:

- Changed DPI which added incident reporting to Google Maps
-- I generally use DPI 135-140 around town because the lower you go, it shows more on the screen but the android auto buttons and keyboard also shrink. This range still unlocks incident reporting.
-- On road trips where I wont be touching my screen much I might go down as low as 125 which shows a bit more of the map. I can still use all the features such as the keyboard fine at 125 but 135-140 is easier to live with if you plan on using the keyboard for an address or something.

- Changed connection type so it only connects after a Bluetooth connection is made with the truck (I think it was a hibernation setting in AAwireless).
--What that fixed was it prevented the phone and AAwireless module to connect when I unlocked and opened my truck door, which would power the USB ports, turn the AAwireless unit on and then establish a connection. If that doesn't bother you, leave this setting alone and it will connect even faster to your truck. It is off by default so the faster connection is made

- Changed the Large button commands so wireless android auto is not defaulted on every drive (remembers last setting)
-- This means I can leave it plugged into the truck USB but it won't try to connect to my phone if I don't want it to since android auto is a battery hog. Also, I can still use a wired Android auto connection so my wifi can be used with my Starlink and not have to worry about disconnecting the AAwireless unit. I only worry about wearing the USB ports on the truck because they look flimsy compared to laptops and such so this is nice.
-- one press: setup to connect to my specific primary phone (will also connect every time until the below option is selected)
-- two press: Disables connections so it does not try to connect to any phone. Light stays red so you know the mode it is in. (Wont try to connect on next key cycle either)

Their product page:
AAWireless TWO - Wireless Android Auto Adapter

Amazon link: $55.00
Amazon.com: AAWireless Two - Android Auto Wireless Adapter - Convert Factory Wired Android Auto to Wireless - Multifunctional Button - Easy Plug and Play Setup - Seamlessly Connect Via Bluetooth - Made in Europe : Electronics

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[Dr_Strangelove]

The ability to customize your experience is really cool. Earlier this year I had found the "official" Motorola MA1 unit on a Prime sale for something like $35 so I just went with it. But now that the MA1 is back up to $50 on Amazon, something like this seems like a much better proposition.

The Motorola is fine - it's fairly quick to connect and I haven't had any issues with it, but it is just a "dumb" connection. No customization or features to speak of besides on and off!

 

[awd.nv]

The ability to customize your experience is really cool. Earlier this year I had found the "official" Motorola MA1 unit on a Prime sale for something like $35 so I just went with it. But now that the MA1 is back up to $50 on Amazon, something like this seems like a much better proposition.

The Motorola is fine - it's fairly quick to connect and I haven't had any issues with it, but it is just a "dumb" connection. No customization or features to speak of besides on and off!

Maybe you can sell or give away the unit to a family member or friend? I should emphasis the connection and screen density are the main ways to customize it. It seems the Ranger factory DPI is what is holding it back from the full standard android auto experience and the AAWireless 2 unit solves that.

The ability to change DPI is almost like going from a 720p screen to picking if you want 1080p, 2k or 4k by means of changing DPI. That alone sold me on the unit and as I used it and learned about the other settings sealed the deal for this being the best unit possible.

There are some more dedicated people online that use it to play youtube videos on their screens too, I just have not gone down that rabbit hole.

 

[MickeyG]

Thanks for this. I had no idea they even had an app. I have been using this for quite some time and love it. I just made some of your suggested changes and it's even better.

 

[PltFX4]

@awd.nv Ok, interesting. Now how do you use it?? (lol... old guy, keep it simple)

I use Android Auto only occasionally, I know my way around town fairly well (use to drive the curtesy shuttle for a dealership, picking people up all over town) so only on longer trips outside the metro area.

My phone is BT connected to the Sync 3 (Lariat edition, large screen). When I leave the house, I turn off WiFi, and use my cell carrier's data plan for anything Internet required. The truck also has a data plan via AT&T if needed.

Now, as I read you info and the AAWireless website info (of which there seem to be not much on actual how to use it day to day) it's not clear to me the sequence of events as I walk up to the truck, get in, start it up and then drive.

Questions:
1. I don't want the unit to do anything till I ask it to do it... i.e.: don't turn on with ignition or door open.
2. The battery draw you mentioned, I presume, is related to the cell phone not the truck. Can I USB the phone to the truck and have it charging while using AAWirless?? (and/or wireless charging).
3. Does it use the phones data plan or can it use the trucks (for those with that option)?? Guessing the phones.
4. Does the AAWireless app need to be running on the cell phone to use the device?? Or just for configuring the device and firmware updates??

I think that about it... Appreciate any insights on the above.

 

[awd.nv]

@awd.nv Ok, interesting. Now how do you use it?? (lol... old guy, keep it simple)

I use Android Auto only occasionally, I know my way around town fairly well (use to drive the curtesy shuttle for a dealership, picking people up all over town) so only on longer trips outside the metro area.

My phone is BT connected to the Sync 3 (Lariat edition, large screen). When I leave the house, I turn off WiFi, and use my cell carrier's data plan for anything Internet required. The truck also has a data plan via AT&T if needed.

Now, as I read you info and the AAWireless website info (of which there seem to be not much on actual how to use it day to day) it's not clear to me the sequence of events as I walk up to the truck, get in, start it up and then drive.

Questions:
1. I don't want the unit to do anything till I ask it to do it... i.e.: don't turn on with ignition or door open.
2. The battery draw you mentioned, I presume, is related to the cell phone not the truck. Can I USB the phone to the truck and have it charging while using AAWirless?? (and/or wireless charging).
3. Does it use the phones data plan or can it use the trucks (for those with that option)?? Guessing the phones.
4. Does the AAWireless app need to be running on the cell phone to use the device?? Or just for configuring the device and firmware updates??

I think that about it... Appreciate any insights on the above.

So the AAwireless device just takes the place of actually using the cable for android auto. I am in a similar position where I do not need android auto every time, but sometimes the need comes up while driving or something, or for a particular trip where I want android auto so I can see better traffic reports or cops on the road.

The way I have the device set
1: it does not connect automatically but is always plugged into the truck, I just single press the only button on it and it will then connect to my phone. It uses your phone internet like wired android auto does.

2: when I want it to disconnect from my phone, I set the double press to put the device in hibernation so it will not connect until I ask it to by pressing the button once.

3: If you leave it set to auto reconnect by not pressing the button twice, it will wait till the truck connects to your phone with bluetooth, then AAwireless makes the android auto connection automatically.

I never had really an issue with the wired android auto, this really just is a luxury. Maybe I want to listen to music from ihearradio or Google music mid drive, I dont have to get my phone out anymore. Or say there is unexpected traffic and I need an alternative route, same thing, make the android auto connection and have google maps help me with it.

If you get it, I can help you set it up like I have it, really just 3 custom steps which are super easy to do.

 

[PltFX4]

So the AAwireless device just takes the place of actually using the cable for android auto. I am in a similar position where I do not need android auto every time, but sometimes the need comes up while driving or something, or for a particular trip where I want android auto so I can see better traffic reports or cops on the road.

The way I have the device set
1: it does not connect automatically but is always plugged into the truck, I just single press the only button on it and it will then connect to my phone. It uses your phone internet like wired android auto does.

2: when I want it to disconnect from my phone, I set the double press to put the device in hibernation so it will not connect until I ask it to by pressing the button once.

3: If you leave it set to auto reconnect by not pressing the button twice, it will wait till the truck connects to your phone with bluetooth, then AAwireless makes the android auto connection automatically.

I never had really an issue with the wired android auto, this really just is a luxury. Maybe I want to listen to music from ihearradio or Google music mid drive, I dont have to get my phone out anymore. Or say there is unexpected traffic and I need an alternative route, same thing, make the android auto connection and have google maps help me with it.

If you get it, I can help you set it up like I have it, really just 3 custom steps which are super easy to do.

Perfect explanation and just the way I would want it to work!! Thanks!!

 

[got3fords]

This AA adaptor sure is small.
https://www.quadlockcase.com/products/wireless-carplay-android-auto-adaptor

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