Today, I messed around with the Motorola MA1, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride. I got this thing because I wanted to use Android Auto in my car without plugging in my phone all the time. Sounds simple enough, right?
Getting Started
First, I unboxed the MA1. It’s a small dongle, pretty neat looking. Came with a USB cable and some basic instructions. I have an older car model with a USB port that supports Android Auto, so I figured this should work.
Plugging It In
I plugged the MA1 into the car’s USB port. The little LED on the dongle started blinking, which I guessed meant it was ready to pair. On my phone, I opened up the Bluetooth settings. I waited for a bit, and sure enough, “Android Auto” popped up on the list of available devices.
Pairing
I tapped on “Android Auto” and followed the prompts on my phone to pair the devices. It took a couple of seconds, and then the LED on the MA1 turned solid. That seemed like a good sign.
Setting Up Android Auto
Next, I launched the Android Auto app on my phone. It detected the MA1 and asked me to complete the setup on the car screen. I switched my car’s display to Android Auto mode, and there it was, asking me to agree to some terms and conditions.
Troubleshooting
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The connection dropped a few times initially. I had to unplug and replug the MA1 a couple of times. Also, I restarted my phone just to be sure. I don’t know exactly why, but sometimes it just needed a little kick. After that, it seemed to stabilize.
Using It
Once everything was set up, it was pretty cool. I could use Google Maps, play music from Spotify, and even send texts using voice commands, all without touching my phone. The voice recognition worked surprisingly well, even with the windows down and road noise. The maps were smooth, and the music quality was just as good as when I used a wired connection.
Final Thoughts
So, after messing around with it for a day, I’d say the Motorola MA1 is a handy little gadget. It’s not perfect, and there were a few hiccups during setup, but once it’s running, it does what it’s supposed to do. Now I can just hop in my car, and Android Auto connects automatically. It’s convenient, and I like not having to fiddle with cables every time I drive. If you’re looking to cut the cord and still use Android Auto, this thing might just do the trick for you.
- Unbox the Motorola MA1.
- Plug it into the car’s USB port.
- Pair it with your phone via Bluetooth.
- Launch and set up Android Auto.
- Troubleshoot any connection issues.
- Enjoy wireless Android Auto.