[Nebula]

I recently found out Android 11 brings wireless android auto for phones like mine (S20 FE). Does anyone know if our Bolts are capable of taking advantage of this feature? I’d give it a go, however, I have T-Mobile and they have yet to release the update.

2020 Bolt

 

[Curt]

I'd really love that feature. But almost certainly not, as the system was designed at least 4 years ago and works over USB only.

It would be possible for GM to implement it in a software update (they won't).

 

[Nebula]

I'd really love that feature. But almost certainly not, as the system was designed at least 4 years ago and works over USB only.

It would be possible for GM to implement it in a software update (they won't).

Your thoughts echo my fears. The lack of give a **** from GM with software updates is why the Bolt is the last nonTesla vehicle I’ll ever buy.
Before anyone attacks that statement...Yes, I’m aware Tesla doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support (Wireless or tethered).

 

[wesley]

It would be possible for GM to implement it in a software update (they won't).

I don't think the Bolt's infotainment system is designed to support wireless projection (i.e. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto) even if individual hardware components (e.g. Wi-Fi module) exist within that are prerequisite for such function. So I doubt it would be possible for such software update to be created even if GM was motivated.

 

[MisterJJ]

Maybe?

AAWireless

CarDongle: USB Car PC Computer Dongle for Vehicles

 

[wesley]

Your thoughts echo my fears. The lack of give a **** from GM with software updates is why the Bolt is the last nonTesla vehicle I’ll ever buy.
Before anyone attacks that statement...Yes, I’m aware Tesla doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support (Wireless or tethered).

There have been several software updates for Bolt from GM. It's just that most are provided non-OTA (heck, it was 100% non-OTA for the Korean version since it lacks Wi-Fi / LTE function in the first place) and are only focused on fixing flaws, not adding new function. It's the usual ways the traditional manufacturers approach the problem. Since Tesla's Silicon Valley mindset has upended this, I think things will slowly move in that direction for others as well, including GM.

 

[wesley]

Maybe?

AAWireless

CarDongle: USB Car PC Computer Dongle for Vehicles

Aftermarket "bridge" devices that can turn wired projection into wireless have existed for some time and I believe some forum members already use them. It's just that the car itself can't be updated to support it natively (i.e. without using additional device like that).

 

[MisterJJ]

Aftermarket "bridge" devices that can turn wired projection into wireless have existed for some time and I believe some forum members already use them. It's just that the car itself can't be updated to support it natively (i.e. without using additional device like that).

Is there one available now that would work for wireless AA? If so, please share link.

 

[wesley]

Is there one available now that would work for wireless AA? If so, please share link.

I'm an iPhone user, so I've only looked at the wireless CarPlay dongles so far. It seems that the Android Auto situation is a bit lagging in having an actual product, now that I checked it.

 

[Nebula]

I know GM is moving in the direction of Tesla with OTA software updates. However, my issue is their complete disregard of the 2017-2021 Bolts. I would have no issue if GM said “the car is not capable of OTA updates.” From the beginning. However, they said it was. Now, here we are 4 years later with nothing but smoke filled assholes.
Hence, my statement for never purchasing another GM product. It’s Tesla from here on out for my family.

 

[Firetruck41]

Is there one available now that would work for wireless AA? If so, please share link.

There's is one, on one of the crowd funding sites that is in final stages. A Google search should find it.

 

[wesley]

There's is one, on one of the crowd funding sites that is in final stages. A Google search should find it.

If you mean AAWireless, I'm quite sure MisterJJ is aware of it since it's been linked in his earlier post.

 

[Curt]

I don't think the Bolt's infotainment system is designed to support wireless projection (i.e. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto) even if individual hardware components (e.g. Wi-Fi module) exist within that are prerequisite for such function.

Do you know of a specific architectural reason why not? The phone can already connect wirelessly to the infotainment system, which acts as an access point and router. Connectivity between the phone and infotainment system need only be switched from USB to Wi-Fi. It's a safe assumption the video is already compressed and the data requirements are tiny (2Mbps or less) compared to what Wi-Fi can do. All the camera data is compressed too; so the display/video processing bandwidth is clearly there. I think it's only a matter of software on both sides.

I want it so when I get in the car with my phone in my pocket, Navigation pops up.

 

[wesley]

Do you know of a specific architectural reason why not? The phone can already connect wirelessly to the infotainment system, which acts as an access point and router. Connectivity between the phone and infotainment system need only be switched from USB to Wi-Fi. It's a safe assumption the video is already compressed and the data requirements are tiny (2Mbps or less) compared to what Wi-Fi can do. All the camera data is compressed too; so the display/video processing bandwidth is clearly there. I think it's only a matter of software on both sides.

I want it so when I get in the car with my phone in my pocket, Navigation pops up.

There's this article.

How to Add Wireless Carplay to Your Vehicle - AppleToolBox

While CarPlay supports wireless, most cars connect via the lightning cable. Learn if & how you can connect wirelessly to CarPlay in your auto

appletoolbox.com

Wireless CarPlay needs Bluetooth and in-vehicle Wi-Fi to work properly. But that’s not all. Your car actually also needs to have a dual-band router built-in to allow for CarPlay.

I haven't been able to find solid reference about Bolt EV's Wi-Fi hotspot feature being dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) - only about 2.4GHz band. I have the Korean version of Bolt so the Wi-Fi & LTE feature is nonexistent and am not personally able to firmly verify that Wi-Fi in Bolt is 2.4GHz-only, but it seems plausible that this is the case for the ones that do have the functionality.

On the issue of a single-band 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Apple's developer information about doing wireless CarPlay has this to say.

Developing Wireless CarPlay Systems - WWDC17 - Videos - Apple Developer

Wireless CarPlay is perfect for any trip. Get in your car without taking your iPhone out of your bag or pocket, and start experiencing...

developer.apple.com

2.4 GHz Frequency Band
Not recommended for wireless CarPlay
Highly congested

(from page 209 of the presentation)

It seems that 2.4GHz band is only regarded as a fallback, so it would be unwise to build wireless CarPlay support on top of limited hardware. Obviously, Apple doesn't think the data & latency requirements are as lean as you think, and I tend to agree because for real-time screen projection you need low-compression, low-latency output. It's not the same as streaming Netflix of YouTube videos. In my experience with driving external PC monitors via USB, wired USB 2.0 connection barely make the cut at sub-720p resolutions and that provides 480Mbps max throughput. 2.4GHz Wi-Fi essentially tops out at 150Mbps in real life.

 

[Sean Nelson]

In my experience with driving external PC monitors via USB, wired USB 2.0 connection barely make the cut at sub-720p resolutions and that provides 480Mbps max throughput. 2.4GHz Wi-Fi essentially tops out at 150Mbps in real life.

Computer monitors and video interconnects have normally been engineered to transmit video data as a stream of uncompressed pixels at a sufficient speed to redraw the entire display surface at rates from 30 to 60 times per second. That's a LOT of data that requires a LOT of bandwidth. It's been that way because a wired connection has plenty of capacity for that kind of thing.

It seems logical to me that a wireless video connection would be designed to take advantage of compression in order to deal with bandwidth constraints. Those constraints stem not just from the capacity of the carrier signal itself but also from the fact that the carrier is time multiplexed with other potential data streams.

I have no idea what the technical specs for wireless Android Auto are, but I'd be pretty surprised if it didn't include some sort of compression for the video data.

 

[yalere5205]

Great article . Extremely helpful .

 

[NickSP]

I'm mixed on wireless AA. If it's built in the car then great. I have a small USB cable and I shove my phone in the charging port. It works great.
This way it keeps the phone charged also.

 

[BobBolt]

I recently found out Android 11 brings wireless android auto for phones like mine (S20 FE). Does anyone know if our Bolts are capable of taking advantage of this feature? I’d give it a go, however, I have T-Mobile and they have yet to release the update.

2020 Bolt

Yes, AA works wirelessly as does the charging in the EUV....can't comment on the 2020 though.
I discovered the older Bolts don't have built in NAV and so I was getting all sorts of funny responses to questions that I was asking.
I think the wireless thing is a recent addition as well.

 

[dborn]

I can confirm AAWireless works great in my 2019 Bolt with a Samsung Galaxy S10e phone on Android 12.
I ordered it back in November 2021 and just recently received it. Only "problem" is the Bolt's USB ports "wake up" quite frequently and with my Bolt parked in the garage, my phone tries to connect with the car several times a day. So for lack of a better solution, I keep the AAWireless disconnected from the USB port when I don't use the Bolt for several days (Covid).

 

[ga2500ev]

Is there one available now that would work for wireless AA? If so, please share link.

I purchased a Motorola MA1 which just came to market at the beginning of the month:

MA1 - Wireless car adapter for Android Auto from Motorola Sound

Find the latest wireless car adapter for Android Auto from Motorola Sound - Direct USB plug-in, Fast media transmission, Fast automatic connection

motorolasound.com

I've been pleased with its performance so far.

ga2500ev