Motorola’s AAWireless and MA1 are the most popular models that allow users to switch between wired and wireless technology, but the market is full of many other options, including cheaper alternatives from generic Chinese brands.
Both the AAWireless and the MA1 are still in high demand, but the market continues to evolve and new models are being released that take a similar approach but also promise new features. Such is the case of a device called the KALOS K2, which recently hit Kickstarter, hoping to raise enough funds to enter mass production.
The KALOS K2 works like its two other popular rivals. It connects to your vehicle's Android Auto port and your phone so you can run the app wirelessly.
To be honest, I really like the design, and the small form factor is great for those who want to plug the adapter in and forget about it. However, the white case makes it stand out from the rest of the car interior, especially since most cars have black interiors. The KALOS K2 is almost as big as an AirPods case, measuring just 46x46mm.
Photo: Kickstarter
It has a USB-C port to power up and connect to your vehicle. It has Bluetooth 5.2 to connect to your smartphone wirelessly, so when you start the engine, it should automatically power up, make the required connections, and allow Android Auto to work without connecting your smartphone.
If you’ve used AAWireless or the Motorola MA1, you’re probably familiar with this process because they both use the same approach. The KALOS K2 also comes with a companion mobile app like AAWireless, and the parent company promises on Kickstarter that it will push out frequent updates to improve your experience with the adapter. You can download new firmware versions to your smartphone and push them remotely to the Android Auto wireless adapter, so you don’t have to unplug it from your car.
Photo: Kickstarter
Although KALOS K2 is so far “just another” wireless adapter for Android Auto, its main selling point is “bypassing Android Auto restrictions”.
The device allows users to launch apps that aren’t otherwise available on Android Auto, including video services like YouTube. While YouTube isn’t allowed on Android Auto (though Google is working on bringing the app to the in-car experience), users have already found third-party workarounds to enable video streaming on the infotainment screen.
KALOS K2 promises to make everything easier by displaying YouTube in the app drawer as a regular Android Auto-compatible app. You can tap its icon and launch YouTube, watching videos as if Google allowed it from the start.
Photo: Kickstarter
While I understand that some people want to watch YouTube videos while waiting to charge their car, picking up their kids from school, or doing any other activity that involves sitting in their car, I don't think solutions that allow these videos to be played while driving should be allowed.
The demo video posted by the maker of the device shows YouTube playing when the car is in motion, so I can only hope that drivers understand the risks of watching videos when they are not parked. I tried YouTube on Android Auto a few months ago and wrote about my experience here , and my conclusion was simple. Don’t unblock YouTube in your car if all restrictions are applied because you will be incredibly tempted to leave it playing videos when the vehicle is in motion. Having a video playing on your screen while you drive is dangerously distracting, especially at night when you can be temporarily blinded by the moving images.
Otherwise, the KALOS K2 is an interesting device that offers easy access to Android Auto without a cable. Its reliability has yet to be determined, but we should find out more about how it works once the device hits the hands of users.
Photo: Kickstarter
The good news is that the Android Auto wireless adapter has already been fully funded. The campaign will end in six days, but considering that the funding goal has already been reached, the KALOS K2 should go into production according to the promised schedule. If all goes according to plan, the first units should start shipping in October of this year.
If you want to get the new Android Auto wireless adapter, you can secure the Super Early Bird, which can be yours for $89 (a 40% discount off the full price the device will be after the promotion ends). The parent company is also offering a double pack for $149, which is 50% off the regular price.
However, I can't help but ask you to use this device responsibly and if you are going to buy the adapter, make sure you don't watch YouTube videos unless you are parked. Hopefully the manufacturer will limit its use to only when the car is not moving.