I had a long online chat session this morning about the Wireless CarPlay Device. The first thing to note is that this is a very new product, first customer shipments start towards the end of next week.
According to the responder:
- Installation just requires a bit of trim removal - Dash Side Panel, Inner Panel behind Centre Console, side trim below console, dash panels either side of the radio
- No modifications, such as drilling/cutting panels are required
- It uses a second microphone for Siri, but the existing one for phone calls
- Once the panels are removed, installation is just plug & play
- Factory reverse camera will continue to work as designed
- To use climate control and other standard Manu items, you need to switch out of CarPlay by a long press on the Home button
- An experienced installer would expect to take about 3 hours to install, so someone that hasn't done it before would probably take a bit longer
- The parent company IDCORE designed and engineered the device, but it is manufactured in their own factory in China.
- The UK office is in Exeter
- The device is fully CE approved.
They're planning on updating their website with more details and pictures of the system this afternoon.
There is also an, almost, identical system available from JoyAuto https://www.joyeauto.com/land-rover-discovery-5-jaguar-f-pace-wifi-wireless-apple-carplay-airplay-solution/ which is quite a bit cheaper, but JoyAuto are based in China and do not appear to have any UK representation.
I shall probably go with the Unique AD device, even though it's more expensive, purely for the UK support.
I'll post further information if/when I get hold of the device.
Regards,
Dave.