The battle is the wireless Android Auto adapter is already fierce, but the whole thing will soon get even more interesting. AAWireless will get a new-generation model, so everybody's now waiting to see how Motorola will respond.
The company has recently announced a new discount for its wireless Android Auto adapter, making it the most affordable "premium" choice on the market. Companies in this space have been juggling with big price cuts lately, so it now looks like it's the right time to buy the MA1.
Wireless Android Auto adapters: what they do
Photo: Motorola
Wireless Android Auto adapters have a very simple purpose: they convert a wired connection to wireless, allowing users to give up on cables.
If you've been part of the Android Auto world for more than a couple of weeks, you probably know that cables are often a big annoyance. They cause all kinds of problems for Android Auto users, including broken connectivity and random disconnects.
Your car doesn’t even have to suffer from a loose connection to experience the random disconnects, as the connection problems can occur for no reason, making it running Android Auto a major challenge. Google has several tips on how to choose the right Android Auto cable, but despite the recommendations, many people find the wireless mode more stable and reliable in the long term.
Wireless Android Auto adapters connect to the vehicle through the USB port and to the smartphone via Bluetooth. They receive the signal from the mobile device and transmits it to the head unit, allowing for the Android Auto experience to run wirelessly.
Drivers can leave these devices plugged into the USB port and enjoy a nearly-instant wireless connection when turning on the engine.
AAWireless vs. Motorola MA1
Photo: Motorola
AAWireless is the device that pioneered this product category, investing the wireless Android Auto concept and allowing users to ditch cables.
Motorola's MA1 launched during Google's I/O event and was seen by many as a Google-backed choice.
However, the two devices offer similar capabilities, with AAWireless touted as the more stable and reliable choice between the two. Motorola MA1 sometimes suffers from long-term reliability issues, with several issues complaining of fried devices or broken connections after approximately six months of use.
Like AAWireless, Motorola MA1 works with the majority of cars on the market, as long as they come with wired Android Auto. However, the parent company says Mitsubishi owners might encounter connectivity issues.
The price cut
Photo: Amazon
Motorola MA1 launched with a $89.99 price tag, but the company has repeatedly discounted the device starting Black Friday 2023. The latest discount is huge, bringing the device down to $64.99 (a 28% discount). The promo is exclusive to Amazon buyers, as Motorola sells the device at the full price on its website.
The price cut makes MA1 the most affordable "premium" device today, as AAWireless has returned to its $74.99 price tag. It's also back in stock on Amazon after suddenly getting delisted due to a fake copyright complaint.
AAWireless 2
Photo: Motorola
Meanwhile, AAWireless is getting ready for the biggest upgrade since launch. The second-generation model was announced at CES this year, promising worthy improvements, a new design, and support for CarPlay.
It means AAWireless, the device that pioneered the migration from Android Auto wired to wireless, will also support converting CarPlay wired to a no-cord experience, allowing Apple users to leave cables behind.
AAWireless 2 also comes with a new design, a physical button, and a sleek LED light that will display its connection status. It's a major upgrade that promises a new experience, though the parent company promises to continue offering updates for the first-generation model too. Many people might find a hard reason to upgrade, but the main selling points of AAWireless 2 are clearly the new design and the CarPlay support.
AAWireless (the first model) already supports CarPlay in beta, but the feature is yet to become available for the stable firmware version. The new-generation device will support CarPlay out of the box.
Motorola is yet to announce an improved wireless Android Auto adapter, and it'll be interesting to see if the company will remain committed to this form factor. MA1 brought Motorola's on everybody's lips, especially because the device was in hot demand after the Google I/O announcement. All stock issues are resolved now, so the price cuts make the device more intriguing for people who are tired with cables in their cars. The device is available on Amazon with next-day delivery.
Motorola hasn’t officially announced the discount, so if you want to take advantage to the offer, you'd better hurry up because the MA1 could return to the full price any minute now.
Meanwhile, Amazon also offers several more affordable options, including wireless Android Auto adapters from generic Chinese brands, though most of these models typically suffer from severe connection and reliability issues. The cheapest model costs approximately $30 and offers the standard Android Auto wired to wireless conversion with no extras.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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