The multimedia systems of new cars are increasingly equipped with online facilities. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also more or less standard. However, these versions have some limitations. If you want to get the most out of the entertainment system, the Carlinkit Tbox UHD maybe something for you.
The Carlinkit Tbox UHD not only makes CarPlay wireless, you can do much more with it. The box is equipped with Android 13, so you can install all apps on your car’s media system. The screen is transformed into a fully Android tablet. This makes it possible, for example, to watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. on the screen of your car. Thanks to the special HDMI output, it is even possible to display images to an external screen on the rear tire.
Carlinkit Tbox UHD explained
You can do the Carlinkit Tbox UHD perhaps best described as a magical box that you connect to your car’s media system. This is a hub on which Android 13 is installed and it has three functions:
- Use Android 13 independently on your car’s entertainment system
- Connect wired CarPlay wirelessly via Bluetooth to your iPhone
- Make Android Auto wireless via Bluetooth
The last two options may not be very special and can also be achieved with a cheaper dongle, for example. Thanks to the smart dongle that you connect to your car’s USB port, you can make CarPlay and Android Auto wireless. Your smartphone is then connected using Bluetooth and you can use CarPlay, for example, without the need for a physical cable. The Carlinkit Tbox UHD can also do this, but goes a few steps further.
The Tbox UHD itself is equipped with LED lighting on the front of the device, which you can manually adjust so that it matches any interior lighting in your car.
Extensive entertainment system
The Tbox UHD can best be described as a multimedia box that you connect to the car radio. The Tbox is equipped with a Snapdragon 660 processor to run Android smoothly.
An optimized version of Android allows you to use the car’s display as a tablet. You can then install apps on the Tbox UHD via the Google Play Store and use them on the screen in the car.
Of course, these can be apps that you will use in the car, such as applications for navigation, music, podcasts, etc. Because all apps can be installed, you can go a step further. This way you can even install YouTube, Netflix, NLziet, HBO Max, games and other productive apps. Of course, it is not wise to use these apps while driving. It is of course useful to stand still in a parking lot during your lunch break.
The Android system also has support for split screen, allowing you to display multiple apps on the screen. For example, a navigation app on the left and music or other media on the right.
Built-in navigation
The Carlinkit Tbox UHD has a built-in receiver for satellite navigation, which supports GPS, Glonass and Beidou. When you start an app on the Tbox, it will always use the GPS system of the device itself, not that of your car.
Qualcomm processor and storage
The Carlinkit T-box UHD is equipped with 8 GB of storage space. You can also add extra storage memory via an SD card with a maximum of 128 GB or a USB stick via the USB-A connection. The 8-core 64-bit processor from Qualcomm (Snapdragon 660) ensures fast operation of the Android system.
Mobile 4G network and WiFi (hotspot)
To connect to a network you have two options: via the settings you can use your smartphone’s personal hotspot. If the car is still in front of the door, you can connect it to a WiFi network, useful for installing all apps.
In addition, the Tbox UHD is equipped with a Nano SIM card slot. You can insert a 4G SIM card into this that is suitable for internet of things devices such as tablets or wireless cameras. You can purchase this from Vodafone, KPN or Odido, among others.
You can take out a subscription so that the Tbox IHD is always connected to the network. Check your provider’s policy regarding use abroad and how many GB the data package contains.
Conditions for use of Tbox UHD
Not every car is suitable for using the Tbox UHD. For example, you can only use this system if your car supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If your car does not support this, you cannot use the Tbox UHD.
Think about safety
CarPlay and Android Auto limit the use of apps in the car. Of course they do this for a reason. Apple and Google do not want you to be distracted in traffic and that is why these systems are fully designed for safety.
This is a different story with the Carlinkit Tbox UHD. Thanks to the independent use, own interface and App Store, you can install and use every conceivable application available in the Google Play Store on the display of your car. Useful for Google Maps or to check where you can charge your car, unsafe when you put on a Netflix series.
Of course it’s nice that you can keep the children quiet in the car with a YouTube video, but then it might be better to let them use a tablet in the back. It is also nice that you can play media on the screen of your car while you are standing still and waiting.
Of course, you can also hang your smartphone on the windshield and start a movie or series. This has exactly the same effect, after all the driver remains responsible for the use of this type of media in the car.
Purchase Carlinkit Tbox UHD (20% discount code)
The Carlinkit TBox UHD can be purchased online at autokitcarplay.com for a promotional price of $158 (± €149 including 20% ​​discount) that includes standard shipping. When purchasing, make sure you choose ‘Android 13.0 for other countries’. With the discount code APPLETIPS20 you will receive a 20% discount on all products in the webshop.