[Exorth]

Renat is the unprofessional individual I’ve had to deal with ,today they claimed a video I sent them of the steering touch controls not working was showing it working, clearly why I sent the video in the first place is it’s showing it “not” working…. Go figure.. claims there’s no other issues with the android box .. there all fixed now !? that was my breaking point ,because it’s just all utter nonsense and going round in circles, maybe deliberately I’m thinking.

It’s been removed from my car and shipped back this morning at my cost.Taking the hit on the return postage, they refused to pay it.I have had enough of the whole thing now I will just live with the car as it is.
Terrible experience , my health and recovery right now is more important than some stupid android box.
Switching off from it all now.

What an awful experience. Your health definitely comes first.

Thanks again for all the information you’ve given.

 

[AbJo1]

Firstly I hope you're feeling better and wish you the best!
Any updates on this or something similar? Maybe if someone has found a dongle that can fit the whole screen. It's unfortunate that your experience wasn't good with the device. I wanted to have a look at it but the link shows me something that's nearly 500 dollars! Is this the same one?
Just bought a 2019 180d and was disappointed with this whole android auto thing tbh.

 

[AbJo1]

Hi guys,

I live in China for long time now and I have A200L (long wheelbase model for China market). This carplay/android auto full screen problem was already been solved in China for some time with something called Baidu Carlife.

Its a system similar to carplay but it takes over your whole screen somehow.

My car have this turned on by default together with carplay and android auto. (in china this comes standard)

View attachment 10955


So there is this wireless small box that connects trough usb-c port in your carplay/android auto plug. Then you connect to the box with your phone trough wi-fi and blutooth (yes, both) and full screen apple carplay appears on your screen.

View attachment 10956

Direct apple carplay with usb-c cable is only supported in that stupid container box in the middle of the screen.
Like this with this box you get full screen.

View attachment 10957

Weird thing is that in the media on the gauge screen I get the message that controls for media are unavailable since android auto is connected. So I think this thing works trough android auto protocol somehow.

So you cant control your carplay music using left buttons on the steering wheel (right buttons in the UK I guess as your steering wheel is on right hand side)

When I try to connect it trough android auto tab, same carplay screen appears and its again connected as baidu carlife.


Its a bit laggy since it works trough wifi but its pretty stable. You enter your car, turn on ignition and carplay appears in 10 sek.

Small issue is that seems you cant get to carplay maps or music screen with shortcut in the middle console (place where are radio/media, favorites, park assist etc...). You need to use touchpad in the middle console or touch the screen.

So Im not sure if this will work in a-class (or any other mercedes) for euro/uk markets but you can see that limitations are not so great that you need to replace whole unit that connects your car's vital functions.

I have to say that resolution is not crazy crisp as mbux but you cant really notice it unless you are very very close to the screen.

You might be thinking where is climate temperature or AC setting now when whole screen is taken by carplay.
Well, when you adjust your temp, temperature tab will appear and then disappear after few seconds. Mercedes could do that at the beginning and not limit people to this tiny container in the middle.

If you have any question I will be happy to answer since I was also looking for this solution long time before.

Cheers

Would this box allow full screen android auto without having this baidu system that you mentioned? Do you have a link for it please it might be an idea to try it!

 

[tadico]

Isn't this the same as Ottocast (also a HK company)? As far as I know fullscreen won't work on MBUX, only on Command systems or the new MBUX 2. What system do the A200L run?

it's just regular MBUX but it could be that chinese version of mbux has baidu carlife option along carplay and android auto.

Not sure whats Ottocast but there are countless dongle solutions made in china.

 

[AbJo1]

it's just regular MBUX but it could be that chinese version of mbux has baidu carlife option along carplay and android auto. Not sure whats Ottocast but there are countless dongle solutions made in china. View attachment 11207

Thanks for the reply. I get you now with the baidu system so we cannot get it. I know there are manny dongles but sadly I dont know which ones will fill the whole screen so we get a 10.25 inhc rather than just 7inch ugly display

 

[veeeight]

We have a new forum sponsor that may be able to provide what you are after, in both Apple Car Play, and Andoid Auto.

Might be worth a new post/thread in their forum section, for anyone that wants to pursue this?

DashLynx.com

DashLynx is a USA-based business that specializes in manufacturing devices for vehicles. DashLynx devices are designed to add Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and HDMI interfaces to vehicles that have factory color screens and/or navigation systems. Add HDMI Input to vehicles with...

www.aclassclub.co.uk

 

[Exorth]

We have a new forum sponsor that may be able to provide what you are after, in both Apple Car Play, and Andoid Auto.

Might be worth a new post/thread in their forum section, for anyone that wants to pursue this?

DashLynx.com

DashLynx is a USA-based business that specializes in manufacturing devices for vehicles. DashLynx devices are designed to add Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and HDMI interfaces to vehicles that have factory color screens and/or navigation systems. Add HDMI Input to vehicles with...

www.aclassclub.co.uk

Brilliant! Sent them a message through Facebook Messenger. Hope to get some more information about their interfaces. Hopefully a much better product than we saw here.

Edit: If I go onto their website I can see that if I press purchase they can only ship within the USA. Unless that is still being worked upon.

 

[AbJo1]

Brilliant! Sent them a message through Facebook Messenger. Hope to get some more information about their interfaces. Hopefully a much better product than we saw here.

Edit: If I go onto their website I can see that if I press purchase they can only ship within the USA. Unless that is still being worked upon.

Let us know please if you get anywhere! Following this.

 

[Exorth]

Let us know please if you get anywhere! Following this.

They state that they do not have any product details as of yet. They claim it’s due to the chip shortage and will have the product in stock after 2-3 months. Not really sparking any confidence in the company as of now. They do state they will support worldwide shipping.

 

[AbJo1]

They state that they do not have any product details as of yet. They claim it’s due to the chip shortage and will have the product in stock after 2-3 months. Not really sparking any confidence in the company as of now. They do state they will support worldwide shipping.

TBH the "car selector" didnt fill me with confidence either but oh well hopefully we get proven wrong. Thanks for the reply

 

[skribble]

Any new information about wireless CarPlay full screen?

 

[Exorth]

Any new information about wireless CarPlay full screen?

There are more brands on AliExpress that sell a similar product. Some are based on Linux and only have CarPlay/Android Auto. I haven’t purchased one yet as there are no reviews to be found which scares me

 

[Exorth]

More news. I have been eyeing an interface box from AliExpress for a while now. It seems to be a very reputable seller, quick in communication and even offers interfaces for Lamborghini's. The interface is just mainly CarPlay and Android Auto. No weird side loads like YouTube etc.

I made a post on the German Motor-Talk forum to see if someone has any experience with these interfaces. Turns out someone has bought the same box I was eyeing and has been using it for a week now, with no issues. I'm currently inclined to purchase the same box and install it in my car. Just talking to the seller to see if they can ship from an EU warehouse (due to import tax). After purchase I'll probably start a new thread with more information for other users if that is something that is wanted.

 

[AbJo1]

More news. I have been eyeing an interface box from AliExpress for a while now. It seems to be a very reputable seller, quick in communication and even offers interfaces for Lamborghini's. The interface is just mainly CarPlay and Android Auto. No weird side loads like YouTube etc.

I made a post on the German Motor-Talk forum to see if someone has any experience with these interfaces. Turns out someone has bought the same box I was eyeing and has been using it for a week now, with no issues. I'm currently inclined to purchase the same box and install it in my car. Just talking to the seller to see if they can ship from an EU warehouse (due to import tax). After purchase I'll probably start a new thread with more information for other users if that is something that is wanted.

That's brilliant thanks for the update. Mind sending the link here?

 

[Exorth]

That's brilliant thanks for the update. Mind sending the link here?

It’s this one: https://a.aliexpress.com/_Evre3fn

And here is a link to the installation that the seller sent me:

 

[Exorth]

Update: Have ordered it today and the seller has created the shipping label, ready for shipping. Once it is delivered (I expect 1.5 - 2 weeks) and installed I will try to make a detailed review for you all in a new thread.

 

[Exorth]

Another update: The CarPlay interface arrived today. It came in a neatly packed and sealed box. The interface feels really solid and has quite a heft to it.

Unfortunately, I’m flying out to the UK today so won’t have time to install it. I’ll be back in the Netherlands on Monday and expect to install it on Tuesday. Stay tuned [emoji16]

 

[LittlePu]

Hi guys, I live in China for long time now and I have A200L (long wheelbase model for China market). This carplay/android auto full screen problem was already been solved in China for some time with something called Baidu Carlife. Its a system similar to carplay but it takes over your whole screen somehow. My car have this turned on by default together with carplay and android auto. (in china this comes standard) View attachment 10955 So there is this wireless small box that connects trough usb-c port in your carplay/android auto plug. Then you connect to the box with your phone trough wi-fi and blutooth (yes, both) and full screen apple carplay appears on your screen. View attachment 10956 Direct apple carplay with usb-c cable is only supported in that stupid container box in the middle of the screen. Like this with this box you get full screen. View attachment 10957 Weird thing is that in the media on the gauge screen I get the message that controls for media are unavailable since android auto is connected. So I think this thing works trough android auto protocol somehow. So you cant control your carplay music using left buttons on the steering wheel (right buttons in the UK I guess as your steering wheel is on right hand side) When I try to connect it trough android auto tab, same carplay screen appears and its again connected as baidu carlife. Its a bit laggy since it works trough wifi but its pretty stable. You enter your car, turn on ignition and carplay appears in 10 sek. Small issue is that seems you cant get to carplay maps or music screen with shortcut in the middle console (place where are radio/media, favorites, park assist etc...). You need to use touchpad in the middle console or touch the screen. So Im not sure if this will work in a-class (or any other mercedes) for euro/uk markets but you can see that limitations are not so great that you need to replace whole unit that connects your car's vital functions. I have to say that resolution is not crazy crisp as mbux but you cant really notice it unless you are very very close to the screen. You might be thinking where is climate temperature or AC setting now when whole screen is taken by carplay. Well, when you adjust your temp, temperature tab will appear and then disappear after few seconds. Mercedes could do that at the beginning and not limit people to this tiny container in the middle. If you have any question I will be happy to answer since I was also looking for this solution long time before. Cheers

How to get Baidu CarLife?

 

[Exorth]

I've got the CarPlay installed! It took extremely long to fit correctly and transfer over the cables as they are located in such a tight spot. I did walk into certain issues. When connected to the AUX it would play audio normally, but when I would get a call it would be delayed and the microphone would sound awful to the other end.

I went into iOS accessibility settings and managed to set that my preferred call route is bluetooth headphones. I then set the MBUX Bluetooth to bluetooth headphones in settings. So now all music and navigation audio goes through aux and when I get a call, it automatically switches seamlessly to the MBUX bluetooth.

You can also just disregard the AUX completely and play all your music through the MBUX Bluetooth. The only downside is that turn by turn navigation audio will not work as iOS only wants to play that through CarPlay and not through bluetooth audio when connected to CarPlay.

It honestly does look amazing and boots up so extremely quick. Audio does not pause when I go into reverse and the reverse camera always pops up perfectly.

There is also an option that when you change the climate control that it will pop-up a temporary black bar in the bottom to show you what temperature it has been set at. However, this does not work for me but the seller told me it's just a setting and that he will help me out. The seller has been really responsive. I have driven 3 hours+ (continues driving) with it without any connectivity issues.

I will keep testing it over a longer period and will post a full review soon

 

[PRW]

Unbelievable that you have to go through all that trouble to use an otherwise fine screen.
It looks fantastic, and I'm definitely tempted