So does your phone have to be connected via wire (e.g. Apple lightning) in order for CarPlay to work?

Or does it connect wirelessly once you step in the car?

 

Phone needs to be connected via wire. There are 2 USB ports - one for phone and one for USB flash drive. When phone is connected, depending on the phone, CarPlay or Android Auto fires up. If you have a USB flash drive, you can connect and play songs from the drive :-)

 

Thanks cuddahpah. Too bad it won't connect wirelessly. I rented a Ford a few months ago and my phone connected to CarPlay via Bluetooth.

I do wonder though: if you connect a wireless Bluetooth adapter (e.g. Bovee) to the lightning cable and let that connect your phone to the module, will that enable CarPlay to work wirelessly?

Lastly, Did you find a good place to mount your phone while plugged in?

That always seems to be a challenge for me given the lack of space for the interior.

 

Wireless connection is too much to ask for in our cars. I am satisfied with this. Who knows what comes next :-)
I still playing placing phone and controller in different places :-)

 

Finally ... used double-sided tape and attached controller as shown in the pictures. I can reach the controller easily. Now to find a sweet spot for the phone.

 

iOS 13.1 is out and Aston Installations just released an update. Appearance (Light / Dark) mode works flawlessly! Excited to use this feature for my trip tomorrow.
CarPlay / Android Auto is a great feature for our cars. Contact Rich @ RedPants to get this installed by James @ AstonInstallations. James will be in Tampa October 5-8.







BBC Sounds App


Apple Maps


Google Maps

 

Installed microphone for Siri ... simply tucked in cable between the panels.

 

Can anyone that's installed this system for use with Android Auto answer a quick question for me? How does text input work on the navigation screen? I'm used to Android Auto in my other car with a touchscreen, but the touch keyboard doesn't seem like it would translate well to the rotary controller.

 

CarPlay ... Anybody else seeing Maps in bright light mode in dark mode ? I drive a lot during night and using CarPlay has become a major issue .. it is like focusing flashlight directly on my face. I have been switching to factory GPS because of this bug (not Apple iOS issue).

 

CarPlay Software update from Aston Installations ... Google maps and Waze switch light/dark mode automatically. Apple Maps doesn’t switch yet, which seems to be iOS 13 bug. There are many posts about this issue online. Will be posting more on this update over the next few days.


Google Maps Settings



Google Maps during the day



Google Maps during night ... switched to dark mode automatically



Waze during night

 

The lack of wireless connecitvity and that button dongle is a deal killer.


...there's got to be a better way. Ideally with wireless carplay and an integrated touchscreen pad that disappears visually. Emailing AI.

 

I agree. But this is the best we can have at this time. Any ideas where to place touchscreen that will be driver reachable ?

 

I thought the idea of these upgrades is to make the car more functional and up to date... having to connect phone by wire, locating it somewhere reachable in cabin, no touchscreen, funky joystick with no real built in look sorta defeats the whole purpose.

the stock screen location is too far away for practical touchscreen use....

what's the appeal again? cool screen?

 

We're on it guys. Collaboration in progress...

 

Awesome! Any ETA ? Audio will be on Bluetooth ?