Some weeks ago I bought a wireless CarPlay adaptor for my new 2021 Toyota Camry. The Camry support CarPlay but only when connected with a lightning cable.
My experience with it to date has been mostly positive, with some caveats. The largest issue I have is its “Chinese knock-off” software interface. I don’t quite know how they are making this whole thing work, and not having had CarPlay before I don’t know what earlier generations of the software were like. However, the version that is installed on the CarPlay device has a “bootleg” feel. For example, native CarPlay has iconography for buttons. The CPlay device has icons within button borders and some of these seem slightly misaligned. I also notice on my podcast app that not all the interface elements seem quite the same, such as the speed of playback.
The other weird thing I notice is when playing back voice messages and other interactions with Siri. The volume is much lower than any other audio making it hard to hear. However, I’m reticent to blame this solely on the CPlay device. I think it may have something to do with the configuration of the audio in my car system? I don’t know, and I’m still trying to figure it out.
All that being said, the thing works. I keep waiting for it not to work and partly expecting it to fail, or drop the connection, but it works everytime. It supports multiple devices as well, with both my phone and my wife’s connected to it. It auto-switches based on last use and whichever device is available.
For short trips, I think this thing is great. If I’m travelling a longer distance, I’m still going to use the lightning cable. Would I buy it again? Yes, I would.
I also bought a custom-fit Chi charging pad. It’s not that great, but is necessary if you want to use the CPlay for a length of time and not kill your phone battery. I have found my phone slips off it too easily unless I put the phone in a case. As these things are designed differently to fit each kind of car, your mileage may vary.
Trying out the Ink theme on micro.blog. Always good to change the look from time to time.
The future’s so bright, I’ve gotta wear shades.
Finished reading: Honeybee by Craig Silvey. An incredible coming-of-age story of a boy with all the odds stacked against him. Wonderful to read a book set in my home town, too. 📚
OneDrive now has a “personal vault”. A shot across the bows of 1Password. Do Microsoft do more Sherlocking than Apple these days?
I’ve bought my ticket to “A Voyage Through Time” couch concert by Voyager featuring my guy Alex Canion on bass. $20 - bargain! 🤘🏻 voyager.veeps.com
This provides a stark reminder of how incredibly uncreative I (and probably most people) am. Through imagination, technology and the support of the Bezos delivery system, Burnham creates something quite amazing within a single room.
For the first time in 2 years I have a cold complete with aches, pains and a sore throat. Can we go back to isolation and social distancing so I don’t have to deal with these?
I highly recommend Like You podcast for anybody that has youngish children. My kids listen every night as part of their bedtime routine.
Episode 36 of Hemispheric Views saw us establish a brand extension - a YouTube channel. I want to call it Hemispheric Toobs, but I think I’ve been voted down.
In any case, here are two videos in support of Episode 36.
DevonJimbo
FinderJimbo
Can confirm that my Intel iMac can launch 205 applications and keep on trucking.
Enjoyed watching a game of NBL1 tonight. My team didn’t win but a good outing nonetheless.
