MOTOROLA MA1 Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Car (Open Box)

Review Written on June 22, 2022 >>>SUMMARY>>> The Motorola MA1 was released in January 2022. Due to Amazon's inability to control scalpers artificially inflating prices and my refusal to pay double, I was unable to purchase this product directly from the manufacturer for the MSRP until late June 2022. FIVE MONTHS. That is pathetic. To both Amazon and Meizhou Guo Wei Electronics Co., LTD (the manufacturer of the Motorola MA1), shame on you. If you're buying this for any more than $89.95, it is simply not worth it, due to the pre-attached cord, the power on issue, the inconsistent connection. >>>EQUIPMENT>>> I am utilizing a Pixel 5a and a Pixel 6 phone running the latest version of Android 12. The vehicles that were tested on were a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, and a 2022 Kia Seltos, both equipped with Android Auto (wired only) and Apple CarPlay (wired only). >>>PRODUCT REVIEW>>> Starting with Dimensions, the square part of the MA1 measures a roughly 2.125" (2&1/8", 54mm) square, 0.50" (1/2", 12.7mm) thick. The pre-attached cord measures 4.00" (4", 101.6mm) from the square to the tip of the male USB-A port. The cord is not removeable or replaceable and is not very easy to maneuver, making it difficult to mount the MA1 utilizing the (included) adhesive Jel Pad. This also means that when (not if, but when) the cord fails, you will have to buy a new MA1. If you have more than one vehicle that you want to use this for, I would recommend using Velcro (not included) instead of the included Jel Pad. There is one button on the right hand side of the square. This button is used for pairing purposes only. There is a light on the front of the square, which serves as an indicator. The USB-A port is not bi-directional. The entire body is plastic; the top with the logo having a piano black finish, and the bottom having a more rough finish. There's nothing stating what the plastic is, but the manual does state "do not expose to direct sunlight" so possibly some type of ABS. >>>SETUP>>> Before you do anything, plug in your phone directly to your car and make sure Android Auto is set up, otherwise you will have issues! Once you plug in the adapter, the indicator light on the front will start flashing blue. (Pro tip: if you bought it new and the light is flashing green when you first plug it in, you got a used one.) With the blue light flashing, go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, find the "AndroidAuto-XXX", and connect. This seems like the initial handshake the MA1 does to connect your phone to the MA1's Wi-Fi. You need to have both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on for your phone to use the MA1. I did not time the first pairing, Meizhou Guo Wei Electronics claims the initial pairing takes longer. Every other pairing for me took 30 seconds flat, on both vehicles, with each phone. For comparison, Bluetooth connectivity to each car's radio took 25 seconds. >>>USE>>> Everything works as expected. Phone call quality, good, with some normal amounts of lag. Music sound quality rivals that of Bluetooth, maybe slightly better (I'm not audiophile). It quite literally works like wired Android Auto, just without the wires. EXECPT... For Hyundai and Kia at least, the USB port does not power off immediately when you turn the car off and open the driver door, etc. This means that you will still be connected to the MA1 after you leave your car until the USB port powers off. The MA1 does recognize this (sort of), as your music will pause, but your phone will remain connected regardless until that 10 minute timeout hits and the car powers off the USB port. For the Santa Fe and Kia Seltos, this was roughly 10 minutes, but depending on your vehicle, your experience may vary. Additionally, connection to the MA1 unit does not occur consistently. Some times I wait 5 minutes after powering up my vehicle and no connection happens, other times it works in 30 seconds. >>>ADDITIONAL NOTES>>> Additionally, the indicator light will remain illuminated solid green when connected. The light is fairly bright, and can be distracting depending on how the MA1 is positioned. The packaging was nice, minimal plastic waste. The manual also states "Do not expose your product to fire, explosives or other hazardous conditions"... so don't do that... >>>CONCLUSION>>> After all the hype and the waiting and scalpers, I thought this had better be a perfect device. It is not. Its fatal flaws are the pre-attached cord, the power on issue, the inconsistent connection, and the lack of explosion-proofing (as stated in the manual). Everything else is solid, if you want to support a company that profits off of artificial price gouging.