Despite modern cars offering increasingly advanced infotainment systems, multimedia capabilities often leave much to be desired. Car manufacturers' choices are certainly driven by road safety, but more and more drivers want to watch a TV series on their car screen while, for example, waiting in a parking lot. So how can you have an unrestricted multimedia system in your car? Well, mini PC-style solutions have been around for some time now that bring a full, unrestricted version of Android to your car's screen. Such solutions include the Ottocast OttoAIBox E2, which uses a modified Android operating system to trick the car's infotainment system into thinking a smartphone has been connected via cable, allowing it to install virtually any app from the Play Store once the system is booted. Let's explore the performance, construction, and capabilities of the new Ottocast OttoAIBox E2 in this review.
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Design and materials
Essentially, the OttoAiBox E2, as the name suggests, is a box—a small box that offers connections and hardware capable of connecting to your car's USB data port, as well as Android-based software that essentially transforms your car's screen into a multimedia smartphone. The device is square in shape, slightly larger than the average for similar products, but its construction is impeccable, with brushed aluminum profiles and a large grille on the bottom for heat dissipation. Here we also find a switch button that allows you to set the boot to CarPlay or Android Auto, thus offering almost 100% compatibility with cars, provided that the car's native system has at least CarPlay or Android Auto wired. The profiles also feature a USB-C port, which, using the supplied cables, is used to power the box via the car's USB data port. The package includes both a USB-A/USB-C cable and a USB-C/USB-C cable, as well as an additional cable to use if your car isn't able to provide enough power to the box, using any chargers plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. An LED on the top indicates the device's operating and connection status.
Still on the sides, we find two other small slots, with which you can expand the device's memory via microSD, or you can insert a SIM to make the device completely independent from your smartphone. In fact, the OttoAIBox E2 can connect to an Android smartphone or an iPhone via Bluetooth, or use the internet via the smartphone's hotspot. By inserting a SIM with a data plan, it will use the connection, becoming a sort of fully-fledged Android smartphone. At the system level, the Ottocast solution integrates a sort of data SIM (CloudSIM) with a pay-as-you-go plan with gigabytes that must be purchased separately. However, the SIM slot allows you to use all sorts of solutions offered by major mobile operators; in fact, in my tests, I used a Very Mobile SIM.
Hardware features
The OttoAiBox E2 is sold as a single bundle, but you can purchase the wireless controller separately for around €26. This remote control will allow you to control the box even if your screen isn't touch-enabled. If you want to save money, you can download the Aicontrol app, which turns your smartphone into a Bluetooth remote control. This isn't the latest hardware available on the market, but this combination of components allows it to run the operating system, based on Android 13 with OttoDrive 2.5 graphics customization, without slowdowns and with performance that's truly enviable compared to the competition.
The presence of the 4G module also tends to significantly improve the accuracy of the integrated GPS, allowing you to use Android navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze without having to use your smartphone. By the way, the box doesn't support direct calls unless you connect your smartphone via Bluetooth, but since it has the Play Store, you can install a dialer like Google's and then manage calls via the SIM card used on the box, making you completely independent. The Bluetooth module also allows you to connect controllers, for example, for use with certain games. But be careful with the gaming—we're talking about a car box after all, not a games console—but it's still a nice option among the many Ottocast offers.
We mentioned the Bluetooth module and GPS, but the OttoAIBox E2 also integrates a WiFi module that can be used to connect the device to a hotspot if you don't want to use a 4G connection, and which can also be used to connect to CarPlay Wireless or Android Auto Wireless. In fact, by purchasing this solution, we also bring home the opportunity to use CarPlay or Android Auto wirelessly, making it a 2-in-1 product. The basic system is Plug-and-Play with minimal initial configuration, namely the choice of language and geographical area, with the possibility of FOTA updates if released by the company.
Compatibility and operation
As I reiterate in every review of similar products, to use the OttoAIBox E2, the car you're connecting it to must be compatible with Apple CarPlay. However, a new feature of this product is that it's also compatible with cars that only offer wired Android Auto. That said, simply plug the device into your car's USB data port and wait a few moments. After a few seconds, the system will pretend to have connected a smartphone, and the Ottocast box's home screen will appear on the screen. However, it's very different from the one typically found on devices of this type. In reality, you may see the system restart automatically as it recognizes and adjusts the best resolution for your car's display. As already mentioned, the whole thing runs Android 13 customized by OttoDrive 2.5, a graphical interface developed by the brand that makes the entire user experience significantly more intuitive and more suitable for cars. You can't create folders, but you can insert widgets and move icons. You can also benefit from the split screen function, which allows you to manage two applications simultaneously on the display, such as Spotify and Maps, or Phone, etc.
With this GUI, you can customize the home screen with widgets specifically for in-car use, access a quick settings menu that not only lets you manage all connectivity options but also provides useful information about the device's operation. All this is complemented by a user experience that's much more suited to in-car use and on the go, with larger, clearer, and, why not, more beautiful elements. By default, some apps like Netflix, a file manager, and much more are already installed, but you can still download all the apps available on the platform via the Play Store. The only limit is your imagination; for example, you could install an IPTV app so you can have your favorite shows on your screen even while parked.
The entire user experience is perfectly fluid and free of annoying lag. Its processor allows the device not only to play 4K videos or FLAC audio without any issues, but also to run many of the games available on the Play Store. You can pair any gamepad via Bluetooth, allowing you to play in the car while watching the content on the infotainment display—a brilliant solution for entertaining your kids while on the road. The beauty of not having to rely on Android Auto or CarPlay is that you have access to truly comprehensive apps, like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Maps, without any limitations. But if you really need the in-car systems offered by Google and Apple, you can connect your smartphone to the box using a specific app to use CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. For example, with Spotify, you can view the song lyrics.
All the apps I tried worked well, although I honestly wasn't able to test apps like SkyGo or DAZN, but I hope you don't buy a box like this just for that, considering the many streaming apps available. The only drawback is that the steering wheel controls don't always work, except for the volume control, but if needed, the voice assistant is always available, allowing you to manage most of the Ottocast box's features hands-free with the magic word "Hey Google."
Price and considerations
The Ottocast OttoAIBox E2 retails for €179.00 directly on the official website, which currently offers a discount that brings the list price down to €139.99. However, just for you, with the exclusive code EITECH20 you will receive an additional discount that will allow you to get the product for only €112 including shipping. Always emphasizing the obvious safety risks and the fact that you should obviously never use such devices to watch a movie on Netflix while driving, or to watch YouTube if you are not parked, this is a truly well-built product that does what it promises, without too many hiccups, thanks to its high-performance and complete hardware. If you are looking for the best of the best in the car, with unlimited apps and multimedia, then you should not miss out because right now, as far as I'm concerned, we are talking about the best Android box for cars on the market, with the guarantee of a brand like Ottocast, a leader in the sector.
