Android Streaming boxes - MMB, Magic Box, Carlinkit, etc

[LightF150]

That's the one. Amazon Carlinkit Store has a coupon on it right now and it's out the door for around $160 instead of over $300. Even cheaper than buying direct from their own website. The free 30 day return is what matters to me. When you get it, you'll most likely need to do firmware upgrade to achieve full screen. You'll need a micro SD card for the update. The new firmware will allow OTA updates moving forward.

Thanks.
Man, I went to Amazon and saw the listing then looked around, but then it appears they changed it, or I cant find it again. This is as close as I see to that pricing: https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-CarPlay-Ai-Box-Performance/dp/B0BSQQPYXQ?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

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[FirstTimeFord]

Thanks.
Man, I went to Amazon and saw the listing then looked around, but then it appears they changed it, or I cant find it again. This is as close as I see to that pricing: https://www.amazon.com/Carlinkit-CarPlay-Ai-Box-Performance/dp/B0BSQQPYXQ?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

That's it. You just have to check the box by coupon. Add to cart and proceed to checkout to see the discount reflected ?

 

[minirx7]

Is there a way to power this up in the house so that you can do downloads inside the house instead of in the car?

 

[heffer86]

Is there a way to power this up in the house so that you can do downloads inside the house instead of in the car?

Yes, I use Anydesk app on the device and the one on my computer. If you hook it up to your home wifi and setup unattended access it works great. I just plug it into a USB-C charger and download updates and get the system setup.

 

[minirx7]

So i tested this out.. My truck has the latest Ford Updates, and currently running June 2023 software on the Carlinkit Tbox Plus (version 138 north american).

Things i have noticed:
1. IT doesnt start as full screen. I used the trick someone mentioned here to expand full screen using Android Auto then switch to carplay and that works.
2. Overall performance is pretty good
3. The bottom of the screen is cut off. FOr example if you use youtube music, there is supposed to be a part that shows up next and other buttons but it doesnt show up. This renders some apps useless.
4. Fullscreen modes do not seem to function correctly.
5. Right side of my Ford screen (Where you ahve the secondary screen for fuel econony extra) in the far right middle, doesnt seem to respond to touch very well (or at all). Very strange. When using a mouse it is no problems. This makes it impossible to click things if the app spreads out that far.

I am hoping there is a way to resize the screen but i cant seem to find anythign on that.

I am debating whether i should return it or keep it!

 

[FirstTimeFord]

So i tested this out.. My truck has the latest Ford Updates, and currently running June 2023 software on the Carlinkit Tbox Plus (version 138 north american).

Things i have noticed:
1. IT doesnt start as full screen. I used the trick someone mentioned here to expand full screen using Android Auto then switch to carplay and that works.
2. Overall performance is pretty good
3. The bottom of the screen is cut off. FOr example if you use youtube music, there is supposed to be a part that shows up next and other buttons but it doesnt show up. This renders some apps useless.
4. Fullscreen modes do not seem to function correctly.
5. Right side of my Ford screen (Where you ahve the secondary screen for fuel econony extra) in the far right middle, doesnt seem to respond to touch very well (or at all). Very strange. When using a mouse it is no problems. This makes it impossible to click things if the app spreads out that far.

I am hoping there is a way to resize the screen but i cant seem to find anythign on that.

I am debating whether i should return it or keep it!

#3 Just try scrolling the app screen up, you should see all of the options for the app. They're a little small but still there.

#5 I've had this issue with more than one of these boxes. Try just tapping slightly to the left of the target, it might take a few taps. Not sure if this is a Ford screen thing or the box. Using the floating white circle button for back can usually help in these situations.

Other notes:

I've been getting the weird audio issues again. Where the sound is all highs and only from the front. Thr audio is distorted as well. Sometimes I can trick it to go all speakers by changing sources. Sound quality still not great though. I'm on sync 4.2.3 right now. I'm thinking this is a CarPlay issue with Sync though as I'm hearing others having similar issues without using these "ai boxes". Why the hell they call them that, I have no idea.

Another thing to keep in mind. When dealing with Carlinkit support, you'll hit a brick wall if you bought from Amazon. I assumed "The Carlinkit Store" was the manufacturer, I guessed wrong. Seems they want you to order direct which means expensive returns to China like the rest of the sellers off Amazon. The firmware updates still work and apply, just no direct support from Carlinkit. Hmmmmm

None of these media solutions are perfect, that's for sure. Finding the one thats most tolerable is the key ?‍

 

[minirx7]

#3 Just try scrolling the app screen up, you should see all of the options for the app. They're a little small but still there.

#5 I've had this issue with more than one of these boxes. Try just tapping slightly to the left of the target, it might take a few taps. Not sure if this is a Ford screen thing or the box. Using the floating white circle button for back can usually help in these situations.

Other notes:

I've been getting the weird audio issues again. Where the sound is all highs and only from the front. Thr audio is distorted as well. Sometimes I can trick it to go all speakers by changing sources. Sound quality still not great though. I'm on sync 4.2.3 right now. I'm thinking this is a CarPlay issue with Sync though as I'm hearing others having similar issues without using these "ai boxes". Why the hell they call them that, I have no idea.

Another thing to keep in mind. When dealing with Carlinkit support, you'll hit a brick wall if you bought from Amazon. I assumed "The Carlinkit Store" was the manufacturer, I guessed wrong. Seems they want you to order direct which means expensive returns to China like the rest of the sellers off Amazon. The firmware updates still work and apply, just no direct support from Carlinkit. Hmmmmm

None of these media solutions are perfect, that's for sure. Finding the one thats most tolerable is the key ?‍

Thanks for your response.

#3 - scrollling up doesnt show the 3 buttons for youtube music for instance. I am trying to get to the song queue.

#5 - i tried clicking everywhere around it. there seems to less sensitivity on the right side of the screen, but more so no sensitiity to touch in the middle of the right edge of the screen.

I have had no audio issues so far however.

 

[FirstTimeFord]

Thanks for your response.

#3 - scrollling up doesnt show the 3 buttons for youtube music for instance. I am trying to get to the song queue.

#5 - i tried clicking everywhere around it. there seems to less sensitivity on the right side of the screen, but more so no sensitiity to touch in the middle of the right edge of the screen.

I have had no audio issues so far however.

Did a factory reset on my TBox and my audio issues are gone. My guess, one of the many apps I have installed and probably never use. Will be trying installing as I use, one at a time, to chase it down. As for your YouTube Music cue issue, I tried and have zero issues. The 3 vertical dots appear to the far right of each song in the list. I can easily press the the dots on the first try, they actually are about an inch to the left from the far right of the sync screen. If you like, I can take a photo or short video to make sure we are seeing the same thing.

BTW - I asked a question on Amazon a while back for a product called Onince Carplay Magic Box 2.0 asking if it would support fullscreen on the F150 21-23. Finally received an answer and they say as long as you update to the newest firmware it will work. The specs are low for my tastes and it's Android 10. Maybe some folks that already have it can use this info though to get theirs working with the new update.

 

[minirx7]

Did a factory reset on my TBox and my audio issues are gone. My guess, one of the many apps I have installed and probably never use. Will be trying installing as I use, one at a time, to chase it down. As for your YouTube Music cue issue, I tried and have zero issues. The 3 vertical dots appear to the far right of each song in the list. I can easily press the the dots on the first try, they actually are about an inch to the left from the far right of the sync screen. If you like, I can take a photo or short video to make sure we are seeing the same thing.

BTW - I asked a question on Amazon a while back for a product called Onince Carplay Magic Box 2.0 asking if it would support fullscreen on the F150 21-23. Finally received an answer and they say as long as you update to the newest firmware it will work. The specs are low for my tastes and it's Android 10. Maybe some folks that already have it can use this info though to get theirs working with the new update.

I am still struggling with the full screen not working. Perhaps I will do a factory reset as well and see what happens.

Overall been pretty happy with how it works.

 

[FirstTimeFord]

I am still struggling with the full screen not working. Perhaps I will do a factory reset as well and see what happens.

Overall been pretty happy with how it works.

If you do a factory reset, keep in mind not to update the native apps already installed. Carlinkit makes a note not to update those. Was thinking perhaps that could be an issue for you on Youtube Music. Good Luck

 

[minirx7]

If you do a factory reset, keep in mind not to update the native apps already installed. Carlinkit makes a note not to update those. Was thinking perhaps that could be an issue for you on Youtube Music. Good Luck

I reset it, no change.

1. Still have issue with youtube music, lower bar missing.
2. Full screen is a hit or miss, seems a bit better, but when it gets cut off i used that trick from thread to expand it using my phone android auto then switch over.
3. RIght side touch sensitivity is slightly improved but still horrible
4. Audio during youtube playback sounds very tinny (as if it was on a call instead of audio).

Overall for the small amount i paid for mine i am not going to complain. (8G + 128G storage), works pretty good.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BSQQPYXQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[FirstTimeFord]

Received an email from Carlinkit this morning, looks like they are shipping with Android 13 on the TBox now. From what I can see, the specs are the same as my current TBox Max that shipped with Android 12. Same hardware, just shipping with Android 13 now. I did read their Android 12 versions would be able to upgrade to 13. When that happens, I have no idea. Not in a rush as I'm sure there will be some wrinkles to iron out. The current 20230630 version already has OTA updates, will post here if I see an update come through. Keeping a copy of the 20230630 firmware just in case I need to go backwards. That version is still on the Carlinkit download site.

 

[2022Bruce_L]

Sorry. Is the consensus that the best bang for the buck is the Carlinkit or the Magicbox?

I want to be able to run various apps from my phone right on my sync4 such as myQ garage door opener and OBDLink.

Thanks!

 

[FirstTimeFord]

Sorry. Is the consensus that the best bang for the buck is the Carlinkit or the Magicbox?

I want to be able to run various apps from my phone right on my sync4 such as myQ garage door opener and OBDLink.

Thanks!

The specs are much lower on the MagicBox, even the new 2.0 version. They run on Android 10 or 11, can't remember. In the past, they didn't work on full screen Sync 4 but I believe they recently did a firmware update to resolve that issue.

 

[2022Bruce_L]

The specs are much lower on the MagicBox, even the new 2.0 version. They run on Android 10 or 11, can't remember. In the past, they didn't work on full screen Sync 4 but I believe they recently did a firmware update to resolve that issue.

ah ok. So then the Carlinkit is the one to go with.

This is the correct one?

https://www.amazon.com/Version-Carl...mzn1.fos.18630bbb-fcbb-42f8-9767-857e17e03685

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