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How to add Android System to Tundra CarPlay radio?

YuanYuan Liu |

How to add Android System to Tundra CarPlay radio?

Tundra CarPlay radio

I've grown to really appreciate the built-in Android systemin the Tundra CarPlay radio functionality. During those moments in parking lots, I've used it occasionally, connecting to my iPhone's hotspot to enjoy content streaming from ESPN+ and Netflix. Yet, there's a tad of frustration when my iPhone's hotspot doesn't consistently appear in the device's WiFi list. To remedy this, I have to toggle the "Maximize Compatibility" option in my iPhone settings, which adds an extra step to the connection process. If this were to become a regular connection routine, it could be quite irksome.

Nonetheless, I hold a fondness for this device, particularly for its wireless CarPlay upgrade and its capability to stream content on my Tundra's dashboard screen. While it's not without its imperfections, the downsides are more like minor inconveniences rather than deal-breakers.

Intermittently, a minor glitch emerges where an initial blank screen crops up, nudging me to tap the Tundra's Home button and then select Apple CarPlay to access the Android menu. It's a minor disturbance that possibly arises from the rear camera display momentarily interrupting the loading sequence as I reverse.

The most prominent drawback, however, is the noticeable lag between the device and my iPhone. While some button response delay was expected due to Bluetooth latency, at times, it's significant enough to prompt me to triple-press a button (e.g., pause-play-pause) to elicit the desired action. This isn't conducive to safe driving.

As someone who uses both Android and iOS, I've encountered quite a few limitations with Android Auto in the Tundra CarPlay radio. Safety concerns are understood, but I'm not interested in watching Netflix or other streaming platforms while on the road. My primary desire is to run conferencing apps for work, utilize podcast applications like PodCastRepublic, employ PowerAmp for its remarkable MP3 player features, access my full GMAIL client, and make use of an OBD2 app that links with my MX Link+ via Bluetooth for real-time vehicle diagnostics and performance tracking, including performance timers.

Tundra CarPlay radio

 


Now, to address my concerns:

The boot-up process takes a bit of time. Nevertheless, given that I typically start my Tundra first, by the time I'm set to go, the Binize CarPlay AI Box is ready too.

The more significant issue lies with Waze. Whenever I activate Waze, the audio quality seems to shift to a lower-quality monaural sound for an unexplained reason. I haven't entirely deciphered the cause, though this isn't a major obstacle unless I need a visual representation of the Waze map. My preference is primarily JBV1 (which can function even without a Valentine One detector, incidentally), as it incorporates Cloud Sourced Alerts (CSA) that amalgamate Waze updates and real-time data from fellow JBV1 users.

There's a slight learning curve tied to a navigation button for conventional screen navigation, akin to the operation of an Android device. However, mastery develops fairly swiftly.

 

 Tundra CarPlay radio

 


To wrap up, I'm thrilled that I can now run the Android apps I want in my car, and the performance with JBV1 is excellent. This compact yet remarkable box empowers me to accomplish all of the above. I'm glad I waited, allowing the product to undergo several rounds of improvement. For Tundra CarPlay radio owners, this binize box is truly a must-have!