Binize Wireless Android and CarPlay Multimedia Box 2022 REVIEW

Binize gives special entertainment features to iPhone users.

Whenever we take long car trips, I always find myself wishing we had more entertainment options in the car. Our phones of choice are iPhones and thankfully, our cars (2019 Ford Escape) have integration CarPlay. This is a great benefit because it gives us direct hands-free communication options, built-in navigation, and access to music and podcasts.

What we don’t have available to us is an option for watching videos. Thanks to the Binize Multimedia Video Box, we have that option now.

About the Binize Multimedia Video Box

The Binize Multimedia Video Box adds the Android 9.0 system directly to the original stereo system. It’s designed to work with touch-screen car stereos and connects via Bluetooth to your phone. The device gives users the option to have both CarPlay and Android systems in their car. The Binize Box provides users the option to watch videos while CarPlay does not. The box has 4GB of RAM and 64GB ROM. It connects via USB-C and has a Micro SD card slot available for storage expansion.

The Binize device is not designed for aftermarket CarPlay stereos (not for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi) and it isn’t meant for stereos without a touch screen. It’s also not compatible with Samsung phones.

Main Features

• Full Android System & Wireless Android Auto
• Wireless CarPlay
• Storage expansion via TF Card slot (card not included)
• 4G Network compatible via Nano SIM (not included)
• Compatible with vehicles that have wired CarPlay
• Product size: 79 x 79 x 18mm
• Product Power Consumption: 3W
• Power Input: 5V/1A

Unboxing the Binize Multimedia Video Box

The Binize device came in a rather generic package. The box is nondescript there is no branding on it at all. The front shows a blank device and a label that reads, “android — Full Android System.” There is no identification on the box at all or on the user manual. When you get the box out of its package, it too is very generic. It looks like a very small Apple TV.

The device we received was all black with no logo on it at all. I saw several images from other users that had the ‘Binize’ brand stamped on the top of the box. There is a little small card included that has the “Binize” brand information on it. This card also instructs users to contact the Facebook page to activate the warranty and get “details tecinigal support.”

What’s in the Box

• Binize Multimedia Box
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• User Manual
• Binize contact card

Set-up & User Experience

As you can see from the list of included items above, there isn’t much to this device. You plug it into your car via a USB-A port. Then you connect your phone to the device via Bluetooth. The box does the rest of the work. I would say that it takes 10-20 seconds for the box to start up, but that isn’t terrible in comparison to other wireless CarPlay devices that I’ve used.

The box will actually start up and connect to your car’s stereo system without a phone being connected. You will see the Android interface and once you connect your phone, it will give you a prompt on your phone to “Use CarPlay with ‘SpeedPlay’?” If you intend to use the device as it was designed you will want to select use CarPlay.

After the phone is connected to the Binize device you will use the app ‘AutoKit’ in the Android interface to switch to CarPlay. If you are on your car’s main screen and you select CarPlay, it will take you to the Android interface. When you are in the AutoKit CarPlay interface, there is an icon that simply says, “Car.” This is the button you use to get back to the Android interface.

I did not have any issue with getting the Binize box connected or my phone connected to the Binize. The connection held strong while I was in the car and I was able to use all the features of both systems without any issues. Switching back and forth between CarPlay and Android was simple and I didn’t notice any lag between the two systems.

The only problem I had was when I turned the car off. The next time I turned the car on, my phone retained the pairing information to the Binize, but the Binize did not remember the connection to my phone. I went to the Connected Devices section in the Settings of Android Auto and it had the option to pair a new device, but the ‘Previously connected devices’ option was grayed out — as if nothing had ever been connected.

In this particular case, I was doing practical testing and the car had only been turned off for a few minutes when I attempted to reconnect to the system. I could understand if I had been away from the device for several days and it forgot the connection, but a few minutes seems unreasonable to me. I have another wireless CarPlay device that I use and it’s never forgotten the pairing information to my phone. In fact, I’ve only had to reconnect when I’ve manually ‘forgotten’ the device from my phone.

So, even though the device is very impressive in its main function, there is a bit of a usage issue when it comes to ongoing practice.

Pros:

• Connects with USB-C (come with two cables)
• Easy set-up. Connect box to car’s USB port and turn on WiFi of box; connect to box using Bluetooth pairing function through AutoKit app; use the app to connect to media services
• Does work as advertised – allows iPhone users to enjoy Android Auto benefits

Cons:

• Does not come with a Micro SD card or Nano SIM.
• The user manual is poorly written. Poor grammar and punctuation. Example — “Use way of the product”
• Can’t connect to native CarPlay when using box; CarPlay lives inside the AutoKit app within Android.
• Had to re-pair to the Binize device after the car was turned off. Once the connection was severed, the box didn’t recognize that it has been connected to a device before. The iPhone remembered the connection, but the box didn’t.
• Information on the website is contradictory – says it’s compatible with Audi and then says it is not compatible with Audi

Conclusion

This is a unique little device that adds a nice feature to your vehicle. It’s a great option for longer road trips, but continual use may prove to be frustrating for the user if they have to constantly fight with pairing their iPhone to the system.

For more information, visit binize.com, Facebook, and Twitter.