KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Most devices that convert your car's wired systems to wireless are dongle-type adapter systems.
- Hyundai recently introduced an adapter system for wireless smartphone connectivity.
- Wireless Android Auto adaptors can be useful, but not suitable for longer destinations.
Let's say you're using a slightly older car, and you seek the convenience of wireless smartphone connectivity. Your car does not come equipped with such technology and that could be for a lot of reasons, but you do not want to part ways with your car to get access to that.
Thankfully, you now have a solution, in the form of dongle-type adapters. But before doing that, first make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
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Understanding Wireless Android Auto Adapters
There are plenty of devices available online that can help users of both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect wirelessly, with the help of dongle-type adapters. While most of these adapters are available as aftermarket fitments, Hyundai recently introduced this as a new feature on the Alcazar, and this is likely to become a standard fitment on the rest of its cars.
To put it in simple words, these adapters convert your car's wired Android Auto unit into a wireless unit, thus allowing you to connect your smartphone to your car without the use of cables. Plug in the adapter into the USB port of your car's infotainment system, then connect the adapter to your car via bluetooth. Once this is done, you are ready to use your Android Auto/Apple CarPlay system wirelessly.
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Pros And Cons Of Wireless Android Auto Adapters
An obvious pro of using these adapters would be that they allow you to use your car's infotainmeny system without cables. In most cases, these adapters are quite compact, which makes storing them quite easy for owners as well. Depending on the model, these adapters also usually allow easy and quick switching between devices via an integrated button, if there is one.
However, these systems have a few cons as well. Given that your phone remains connected, these systems can drain your battery significantly and thus, you would ultimately be required to carry a cable as a backup, especially over longer journeys. Also, sometimes, when starting up your car, the adapters can take anywhere upto half a minute or more to connect with your phone and load up the screen, thus increasing waiting times.
Verdict
Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay adapters certainly help adding a sense of convenience, as you can simply connect your phone to your car without the need of a cable. However, over longer journeys, you will require to use a USB cable to charge your phone as the battery depletes.
