Smartphones & Tablets | June 2, 2023
Recently, we told you that Android Auto is a huge success, with many car manufacturers using it because it’s in demand among car buyers. What we didn’t mention in that article is that the vast majority of brands use Android Auto with a wired connection, making the user experience less convenient than desired.
However, there are companies specialized in creating products that convert the wired connection into a wireless one. By wireless, we mean that you can keep your mobile phone in your pocket, bag, or wherever you prefer, as it connects via Bluetooth.
In recent months, we have tested numerous devices that allow for wireless Android Auto in any car with a wired connection. From the Carsifi solution, which required an application, to the more reliable and sometimes more feature-rich options like Ottocast, which even allowed for app installations.
However, there is a more well-known brand that also introduced its own solution, although it had not been available in until now. We are referring to Motorola and its Motorola MA1, a device that is not even expensive. It can be purchased for 89.99 euros.
the Motorola MA1 is not much different from the devices mentioned earlier. It connects to the car via USB and wirelessly to our phone.
It is small, and the box includes two stickers in case we want to attach it to the dashboard. This is necessary because the cable it comes with is short, and as you can see in the images, it is almost floating in front of the screen in my case.
This is a problem for me, and a buyer in the same situation will have to look for a USB cable extender to position it lower or stick it to the side. I must admit that the USB cable placement in this car is anything but logical.
I criticized Motorola for not having a detachable cable, which would have allowed for the use of a much longer cable if needed, as has been the case. However, the cable is integrated within the device, similar to Google Chromecast, for example.
Considering that the wireless connection of a mobile phone with Android Auto can be complex, as we saw in the review of the Carsifi model, I must say that the pairing process with the Motorola MA1 has been flawless and very fast.
When we connect it, we simply need to press the button on the side and observe the bottom LED until it turns blue and starts blinking. At that moment, we go to our mobile phone and search for a new Bluetooth device. Once we find one named “AndroidAutoXXXX” (with X representing various numbers), we select it and pair the devices.
At this point, the system will connect to the mobile phone via Bluetooth and then switch to using a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection without any action required from us.
The operation of this device is the same as what we have seen in other brands because the interface is provided by Google itself.
We have noticed that it is quite fast when it comes to connecting, as well as reconnecting when we turn off the car and connect it again.
This, along with the ease of connection, is what sets this type of product apart from those of lesser-known brands.
The Motorola MA1 was released in Spain and is available in stores like Amazon for 89.99 euros, which we consider to be a very reasonable price for a reputable brand.
This is precisely what makes us highly recommend it if you’re interested in a product of this kind, and as we mentioned before, it provides a high level of convenience for those who are constantly driving or simply prefer not to have to connect via cable every time they start their vehicle.
