Latest news with #CarPlay
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Review: Viofo A329S dash cam backs up its high price
Your average punter is going to balk at shelling out nearly £500 for a dash cam but that's exactly what Viofo wants you to do with its latest A329S three-channel set-up. And I'm here to say it might well be worth it. The Viofo gives you three cameras - one to the front, one to the rear and another one covering the cabin. And definitely the most impressive thing about the device is that it offers multiplex video - in that it mixes footage from all three cameras into one video feed. This is not only very easy to handle for the user (no editing required), but also means it's got you covered if you encounter a mishap, as well as being terrific fun! Is that enough to justify the price tag? The dash cam has a pleasing, slim-line look and certainly feels high-end. It's not the smallest but the set up is reasonably straightforward, attaching the usual adhesive pads to the windscreens before placing the cameras where you want. The rear and cabin cameras both record 2K video and the quality is perfectly decent. The cabin camera includes four infrared LEDs and offers switchable ultra-wide and fisheye modes, ideal for rideshare drivers or even in-car vlogging. However, it's the front dash cam when the Viofo really shines and you start to understand where all the money went. It can capture true 4K footage at 60fps thanks to its Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, and the quality, particularly during daytime, is superlative. It's super detailed and you'll never be left squinting trying to make out a license plate again. You can't take advantage of the HDR mode and 60fps so you are faced with a little trade-off, but the quality was so smooth anyway I didn't really care. HDR is better suited to the dark, however, as the camera can then sense when an image is too bright or too dark and compensate on the fly. Sundown performance is maybe not as impressive as when the sun's up but you're have to search high and low to find anything light years better. The A329S captures a lot of video, so a large memory card feels like a must. You end up with some pretty big files but thanks to Wi-Fi 6 the transfer speeds to your phone are admirably rapid. Make sure when you do this your car's dashboard is off or you'll end up battling beteeen the dash cam and CarPlay (or Android Auto), which is a maddening experience. The Viofo UI is relatively straightforward yet customisable. I had little trouble getting everything working, and even made a few tweeks, but those new to dash cams might find it a little overwhelming. Luckily, there's no end of guides online to help you out. There are plenty of other features to play with, inclduing GPS tagging, voice control, emergency record button, and an upgraded 24/7 parking mode. The Viofo A329S is one of the most advanced dash cams you can get right now - but as I mentioned you'll have to pay for it. There are one- and two-channel options available as well if you're looking to keep the cost down. If you're after superior video quality, speed, and smart features, then look no further. The Viofo A329S is available from the Viofo website for £470. What other reviewers say Hemel Today: "Only, that is, if you're about to make the mental leap of spending nigh-on £500 on a dashcam. If you do, you'll be buying one of the best - if not the best - dash cams on the market, all things considered." Tom's Guide: "If you're prepared to forego a few bells and whistles and prioritise high definition recording with a single one-time purchase, the Viofo A329 lays a strong claim to be the dash cam you choose in 2025."
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Amazon Is Selling an ‘Amazing' $210 Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter for $35, and Shoppers Say It ‘Works Great'
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. View post: Porsche Macan Is Now the Fastest-Selling Porsche Ever — Here's Why It Matters Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Wired Apple CarPlay might work fine, but constantly plugging and unplugging your phone can be a real pain. If you're tired of dealing with cords, this wireless CarPlay adapter we found on sale at Amazon could be the simple upgrade your car needs. It brings wireless CarPlay to most vehicles with zero fuss, and it makes jumping in the car and getting going far quicker and easier. The Uoofly Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter is currently down to just $35 at Amazon, a massive 83% discount. It plugs right into your car's USB port and instantly pairs with your iPhone, eliminating the need for extra apps or tools. Once it's connected, it auto-reconnects every time you start your car, even if your phone is buried in your bag or pocket. Note that this adapter is only designed to work with iPhones and Apple CarPlay. So if you're rocking an Android phone, check out this wireless Android Auto adapter instead. Uoofly Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter, $35 (was $210) at Amazon Despite its tiny size, the Uoofly adapter is packed with features. It supports 5.8GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, stable connections with near-zero lag. It includes both USB-A and USB-C connections and works with almost all vehicles that support factory-wired CarPlay, covering iPhones 6 and up (iOS 10+). With it, you'll have access to full CarPlay functionality without messing with any wires, including navigation, calls, texts, and Siri, all while using your touchscreen or steering wheel controls. The compact metal body keeps things cool even during long drives, and online firmware updates ensure long-term compatibility with future iOS versions. Shoppers say setup is incredibly easy, with a handful describing the process as 'plug and play.' One noted that the 'setup is effortless,' while others called it 'easy to use,' and praised that it 'doesn't take [up] much space.' Other buyers focus on performance in their reviews. 'Easy setup, stable connection, and now I never mess with cords,' one reviewer said. Another shared, 'this wireless CarPlay adapter for my iPhone is fantastic!' Simple one-word descriptions like 'awesome' and 'amazing' also popped up repeatedly from buyers, showing just how much they like it. When something is on sale for 83% off, it doesn't tend to stay at that price for long. So head over to Amazon today and take your driving experience to the next level with the Uoofly Wireless Apple CarPlay Adapter while it's still just $35. About the Author Andrew Koopman View Profile
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
As Rivian embraces Google with Maps integration, it shuts out Apple CarPlay
Rivian (RIVN) is tightening its relationship with Google (GOOG, GOOGL), leaving Apple (AAPL) and CarPlay out in the cold. Rivian said today that it is incorporating Google Maps natively into its infotainment system, meaning Google routing, time of arrival, traffic, and satellite imagery will be "seamlessly integrated" into Rivian's navigation system. Using Google's Automotive SDK for Maps, Rivian can build its own custom navigation system on top of Google Maps. This will give drivers the freshest mapping and traffic data, along with updated ETA info and "arrival range" at destination, a critical piece of information for users, directly within Rivian navigation. Charging information, such as where to stop, user preferences, and the location's overall score, will be included, as well as locations for the bespoke Rivian Charging Network. The addition of Google Maps is welcome news for Rivian owners, with one owner saying the prior system "always" suggested longer routes compared to Google Maps, for example. Rivian's embrace of Google Maps comes as other manufacturers like GM (GM) push ahead with deeper integration of Google products. GM's EVs, for example, no longer have Apple CarPlay compatibility, though its gas-powered vehicles do. This has been a huge issue for customers who have come to live with CarPlay as the de facto standard for car connectivity. Apple says more than 800 vehicles globally support CarPlay; Apple has also said in the past that 79% of new car buyers insist that the vehicle is CarPlay compliant. Read more: How to find the best luxury car insurance A third-party McKinsey study found that the percentage is closer to roughly a third of buyers insisting on CarPlay, but nonetheless, consumers are making their preferences heard. "Like most corporate decisions, this one is driven by revenue in the hyper-subscription world we now occupy," industry analyst Karl Brauer of told Yahoo Finance back when GM ditched CarPlay for its EVs. By keeping Apple out, GM can charge users for services offered through its native UI systems, like the automaker's SuperCruise semiautonomous software. Tesla has been offering subscription services for years now, with "enhanced connectivity" for some features and subscription pricing for its full self-driving (FSD). Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 GM would also prefer to keep all the data coming from its customers, which it can remarket in a number of ways (but not all), and not have to pay a license fee to Apple for CarPlay. Rivian is likely making the same bet. And as a tech-forward company that makes its own software, Rivian does not want to cede its entire design language and user experience to Apple. However, Rivian does point out that it does include Apple Music, and in the future Apple EnergyKit integration will be coming for home smart charging - but no CarPlay. Rivian owners have been clamoring for CarPlay in forums like Reddit, so a smaller move like Google Maps integration, following Rivian's prior Google inclusions of Search, Cast, and YouTube, for example, may give its owners some of the functionality they desire. Tesla famously does not allow Apple CarPlay or Google's Android projection software in its infotainment system, and never has. Thus far, the lack of CarPlay hasn't hurt Tesla EV sales over the past few years, or at least that hasn't been a cited reason for declining sales in recent quarters. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Amazon is selling a ‘seamless' $80 adapter that adds wireless Apple CarPlay to your vehicle for just $40
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon is selling a 'seamless' $80 adapter that adds wireless Apple CarPlay to your vehicle for just $40 originally appeared on Autoblog. Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. More than a decade has passed since Apple introduced CarPlay, an intuitive software solution that puts car-friendly versions of iPhone apps on your infotainment display. While some automakers now support wireless CarPlay, many still require a USB connection. Thankfully, plenty of third-party adapters exist to help you cut the cord on Apple CarPlay. Revered for its low latency, this one from Jemluse is on sale for just $40 at Amazon — half off the list price. The internet is flooded with cheap, low-quality accessories claiming to turn your wired CarPlay connection wireless. What sets this particular Jemluse model apart is the 7A microchip housed inside its sleek, compact enclosure. An 8-core processor powers its 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. As a result, Jemluse says its adapter is ten times faster than its downmarket competitors, and it's a lot less likely to periodically disconnect. 'The Wireless CarPlay Adapter performs well with stable, fast connections and no lag or dropouts during navigation, music, or messaging,' said one shopper. 'A plus for me is that it connects to my phone every time I get into the car! No need to constantly sit there and reconnect my phone to a cable!' 'Setup was a breeze—plug and play with no fuss—and within seconds, my CarPlay was up and running wirelessly,' remarked another customer. Constructed from aluminum alloy, the Jemluse wireless CarPlay adapter is also more durable and less susceptible to corrosion than plastic dongles, so you won't have to think about replacing it for a long time, if ever. In fact, the company has put it through the ringer, subjecting its cables and metal shells to over 50,000 stress tests, including benchmarks for corrosion, durability, and extreme heat and cold exposure. It survived temperatures as low as -20 degrees celsius and as high as 70 degrees celsius.'Its sleek, black design fits seamlessly into my car's interior, and it's compact, so it doesn't take up much space,' a reviewer added. 'It's hardly noticeable, but I love how I don't have to hassle with cables!' The best-selling wireless CarPlay adapter at Amazon is only on sale for a limited time, so if your in-car tech setup is due for an upgrade, act now before this 50% discount expires. Amazon is selling a 'seamless' $80 adapter that adds wireless Apple CarPlay to your vehicle for just $40 first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
The one thing experts say you must not do whilst driving in a heatwave
The one thing experts say you must not do whilst driving in a heatwave Experts say it could result in a fire Traffic in Cardiff ahead of the Stevie Wonder gig at Blackweir Live (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Drivers are being urged not to use their phones in windscreen holders while driving during the heatwave. Many motorists rely on their smartphones for GPS navigation while they drive, but extreme heat and direct sunlight can cause serious and lasting damage to mobile phones. Mobile phone recycling comparison experts Compare and Recycling says that most smartphones are designed to operate safely at temperatures of up to around 35°C; however, exceeding that can lead to lasting damages and dangers. This can include: The battery overheating or swelling, which can cause a fire Permanent screen or processor damage Unexpected shutdowns and reduced performance Accelerated wear and tear on internal components Having your phone stationed on your dashboard can raise its internal temperature to dangerous levels. Reddit users have previously complained about their iPhones overheating while using CarPlay alone - even without the added pressure of a heatwave. Head of marketing at Compare and Recycle, Antonia Hristov said: 'Smartphones are essentially mini-computers and just like laptops, they don't cope well in extreme heat. 'Using your phone for any task generates heat, and when it's in direct sunlight - especially mounted next to a windscreen where the glass creates a greenhouse effect and intensifies the heat. "It can quickly exceed safe operating temperatures going beyond the recommended 35°C, which even phones with advanced cooling systems struggle with. 'An overheating battery doesn't just pose a risk of damaging your device; it can also pose a safety risk. "When temperatures soar outside, we recommend attaching your phone using a holder that clips onto the air-conditioning vent, keeping the phone cool. 'If you don't need to have your phone up in front of you, and have Apple or Android CarPlay, we recommend that you use that instead, ensuring that you store your phone in a shaded and cool spot inside the car while driving. Article continues below 'You can even remove your phone case or switch on airplane mode while driving to help with cooling.'
