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, then the Carlinkit Tbox Plus may be something for you.
The Carlinkit Tbox Plus not only makes CarPlay wireless, you can do much more with it. The box is equipped with Android 13, so you can really install all apps on the ‘factory radio’ of your car. The screen is then transformed into a tablet. This makes it possible, for example, to watch Netflix on the screen of your car, but of course use it responsibly.
Carlinkit Tbox Plus explained
The Carlinkit Tbox Plus can perhaps best be described as a magical box that you connect to the car radio. 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 Plus can also do this, but goes a few steps further.
Extensive entertainment system
The Tbox Plus can best be described as a multimedia box that you connect to the car radio. You can then boot an optimized version of Android and use your car’s display as a tablet. You can then install apps on the Tbox Plus 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. Whether that is safe remains to be seen.
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.
The Carlinkit Tbox Plus has a built-in GPS Glonass positioning and antenna, which is more accurate with navigation and positioning within the standard system. When you download and install a navigation app on the device, the GPS antenna of the Tbox Plus will be used.
Qualcomm processor and storage
The Carlinkit T-box plus is equipped with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage or 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. You can also add extra storage memory via an SD card with a maximum of 128 GB. The 8-core Qualcomm Processor ensures a fast workflow.
Mobile network and WiFi
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.
The Tbox Plus is also equipped with a SIM card slot. You can insert a 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 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 Plus
Not every car is suitable for using the Tbox Plus. 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.
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 Plus. 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.
Tbox Plus or mini
For this product review we used the Tbox Plus. This has a more powerful processor, more RAM and storage memory. This is therefore slightly more expensive than the mini version, which has 3GB RAM and 32 GB storage as standard. You can also purchase the Tbox LED with built-in colorful lighting, but that does not add much.
Purchase Carlinkit Tbox (18% discount code)
The Carlinkit TBox Plus can be purchased online via autokitcarplay.com for a promotional price of $115.00 (± €105) which includes standard shipping. When purchasing, make sure you choose ‘Android 13.0 for other countries’. With the discount code APPLETIPS you will receive an 18% discount on all products in the webshop.