ShenZhen Exploter Electronics Co.,Ltd.
Instruction Manual
ApplePie Mini CarPlay AI Box
Model No. AI-996
Visit us at: www.naviinterface.com or www.exploter.com
Warning
In order to protect driving safety and avoid breaking traffic laws, please DO NOT watch videos while driving.
Please DO NOT put the product in damp environments or water to avoid electric shock, damage, and fire accidents caused by a short circuit.
Description
The ApplePie Mini is the second version of the ApplePie Series CarPlay Android Car Smart Box. It streams video, audio, and control data (such as touch inputs, steering wheel buttons, and knob operations) through the car's OEM CarPlay USB OTG interface. It mirrors the entire Android system to the OEM screen, allowing users to control and operate the ApplePie on the OEM screen. It offers powerful video decoding and playback capabilities within a fully open software application environment.
Features
- ApplePie AI Android CarPlay MMB box with 4G built-in.
- Android 9.0 system, supporting wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
- Provides Google Play Store access for downloading and installing various APP software.
- Full, free, and open system for users to customize their ApplePie experience and launch applications.
- Dual Bluetooth built-in for hands-free calling, music playback, and connecting to Bluetooth TPMS, OBDII devices, etc.
- Mirrors the entire Android system to the OEM car screen via OTG plug.
- HD Video display for watching YouTube, online navigation, and online radio multimedia systems.
- Supports split-screen display and picture-in-picture functionality.
- Compatible with OEM touchscreen or OEM buttons/knob control.
- Maintains OEM functions without impacting existing car features.
- Easy connection, powered by the car's OEM CarPlay USB port.
- Built-in 4G/3G/2G connectivity, allowing the ApplePie to function as a mobile WiFi hotspot for other devices.
- Offers strong specifications for stable performance.
- Integrated 4G, WiFi, and GPS antennas.
Compatible Cars
The ApplePie Mini is compatible with a wide range of car manufacturers, including:
- Mercedes-Benz
- Audi
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Lincoln
- Land Rover
- Kia
- Nissan
- Mazda
- Honda
- Hyundai
- GMC
- Fiat
- Lexus
- Citroën
- Porsche
- Ford
- Dodge
- Jaguar
- Peugeot
- Ferrari
- Volvo
- Jeep
- Maserati
- Infiniti
Specifications
| ITEM | SPECIFICATION |
|---|---|
| OS Version | Android 9.0 (GSM Available) |
| CPU | QualComm 8 Core Processor |
| Memory | 4G LP DDR3 + 64G eMMC Flash |
| Network | 2G/3G/4G LTE |
| 2G Frequency | GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz |
| 3G Frequency | UMTS B1/B2/B5/B8 |
| WIFI | 802.11a/b/g/n/AC, 2.4G+5G |
| 4G Frequency | LTE-FDD B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B28, LTE-TDD B38/B40/B41 |
| 4G Coverage Area | Asia Pacific (including mainland China, Hongkong, Macao and Taiwan, Southeast Asian countries), Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Middle East and Mediterranean countries. |
| USB Input | OTG*1 Port USB2.0 |
| TF Card | Support 128GB TF Card |
| Bluetooth | Dual BT Master BLE4.2 & Slave BT5.0 |
| GNSS | GPS/GLONASS/Beidou |
| Power | 5V-12V 2A |
| Operation Temperature | -10°C - 70°C |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C - 80°C |
Unit Picture
The unit requires no installation beyond connecting a USB cable to the car's OEM CarPlay OTG interface port. The package includes the ApplePie Mini box, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. A 4G SIM card can be inserted into the designated slot.
Compare with Other AI Android Boxes
| Features | ApplePie (Mini) | Competitor (R) | Competitor (A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Brand | Qualcomm | Rockchip | All Winner |
| CPU Cores | 8 Core 1.8GHz | 6 Core 1.8GHz | 4 Core 1.5GHz |
| DDR | 4G | 4G | 2G or 4G |
| EMMC Flash | 64G | 32G | 16G or 32G |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/AC, 2.4G+5G | 802.11a/b/g/n/AC, 2.4G | 802.11a/b/g/n/AC, 2.4G |
| Mobile WiFi | Support | No | No |
| 4G LTE High Speed Network | Support | No | No |
| Master Bluetooth (Master) | BLE 4.2 | BT 5.0 | BT 4.2 |
| Slave Bluetooth (Slave) | BT 5.0 | BT 5.0 | No |
| GPS, Glonass, Beidou | Support | Support | No |
| Mobile Phone AGPS | Support | No | No |
| USB OTG Interface | Support | Support | Support |
| TF Card (Micro SD Card) | Maximum to 128G | No | No |
| SIM Card | Support | No | No |
| Android System | 9.0 | 9.0 | 7.1 |
| Android System Openness | All Open | Half Open | Half Open |
| Wireless CarPlay | Support | No | No |
| Wireless Android Auto | Support | Support | No |
| Mirror Link | Support | Support | No |
| Dual Screen Picture-in-Picture | Support | Support | No |
| Sound logic of the Original Car | Same sound as CarPlay logic, Watching Video and Navigation sound can be mixed or suppressed. | Not in accordance with CarPlay's standard sound logic to handle | No sound logic, processing one size fits all, not mixed tone and depress |
| Power Supply | USB 5V | 12V from Car Fuse | USB 5V |
Operation: How to Connect ApplePie's Bluetooth Phone
You can search for ApplePie from your mobile phone, or search for mobile phones from ApplePie.
From your mobile phone, find the Bluetooth device named "ApplePie" and complete the Bluetooth pairing connection.
Alternatively, from ApplePie, click the "BT phone" icon. Then, search for your mobile phone, select it, and click the pairing connection button to complete the pairing and connection.
Screenshot Description: The UI shows the main application launcher with icons for various apps like YouTube, Spotify, Google, and a "BT Phone" icon. Another screenshot shows the Bluetooth pairing screen with "Cathy Exploter" connected and "Cathy's iPhone" unconnect.
How to Use Wireless CarPlay
Click the "BT phone" icon to connect your iPhone with the ApplePie's Bluetooth module (slave Bluetooth, BT5.0). After the initial connection, the ApplePie will automatically connect to your iPhone's Bluetooth each time it starts.
Click the "SpeedPlay" icon to initiate the wireless CarPlay connection. The ApplePie will automatically switch to hotspot sharing mode, disabling its WiFi. It will then share a hotspot, sending the hotspot name and password to your iPhone via Bluetooth. Your iPhone establishes a wireless CarPlay connection with the ApplePie through this shared hotspot.
Once connected, the ApplePie's slave Bluetooth and WiFi will automatically turn off as they are replaced by the hotspot sharing mode. You will then enter the CarPlay user interface.
Screenshot Description: The UI shows the main application launcher. Another screenshot shows the "SpeedPlay" icon being selected.
Note: After connecting to CarPlay, you can click the car icon or the suspension ball, expand it, and click the HOME icon to return to the ApplePie launcher. If you close the SpeedPlay app, the ApplePie's slave Bluetooth will automatically reconnect to your iPhone. However, it will remain in hotspot sharing mode. To use WiFi again, pull down the status bar and manually enable the WiFi switch.
How to Use Wireless Android Auto
For Android 11 mobile phones with local 5G support, you can use the wireless Android Auto function.
Click the "BT phone" icon to connect your Android mobile phone with the ApplePie's Bluetooth module (slave Bluetooth, BT5.0). After the initial connection, the ApplePie will automatically connect to your Android phone's Bluetooth each time it starts.
Click the "SpeedPlay" icon to initiate the wireless Android Auto connection. The ApplePie will automatically switch to hotspot sharing mode, disabling its WiFi. It will then share a hotspot, sending the hotspot name and password to your Android Phone via Bluetooth. Your Android Phone establishes a wireless Android Auto connection with the ApplePie through this shared hotspot.
Once connected, the ApplePie's slave Bluetooth and WiFi will automatically turn off as they are replaced by the hotspot sharing mode. You will then enter the Android Auto user interface.
Screenshot Description: The UI shows the main application launcher. Another screenshot shows the "SpeedPlay" icon being selected for Android Auto connection.
Note: After connecting to Android Auto, you can click the car icon or the floating ball, expand it, and click the HOME icon to return to the ApplePie launcher. If you close the SpeedPlay app, the ApplePie's slave Bluetooth will automatically reconnect to your Android Phone. However, it will remain in hotspot sharing mode. To use WiFi again, pull down the status bar and manually enable the WiFi switch.
About ApplePie's Setting Options
Navigation app setup: Allows you to specify an application to be added to the navigation software whitelist. The system will then handle the sound type for this app in accordance with the navigation software's requirements.
Voice assist: Allows you to specify an application to be activated using the original car's voice button (long press for 3 seconds) or the voice button on the floating ball.
Use the OEM GPS data: If this option is checked, the GPS data output from the car's OEM navigation hardware will be used. If the test is successful, the external GPS antenna may not need to be plugged in. If the vehicle lacks navigation hardware, or if the hardware does not implement GPS data transmission as specified in the CarPlay standard protocol, you cannot check this option; in such cases, you must connect an external GPS antenna to obtain GPS data.
Copy log file to SD Card: This function copies startup and system operation logs to a TF card, primarily for research, development, and debugging purposes. Simply insert a TF card, and it will automatically create and save the log files.
Screenshot Description: A settings screen for ApplePie is shown, with options for Car Settings, Navigation app setup, Voice assist, Bootup app, Use the OEM GPS data (checked), and Auto copy log.
About Floating Ball
The floating ball provides quick access to several functions. After clicking the floating ball to expand its options, you can access:
- Home
- Return
- Recently viewed apps
- Voice command activation
- Return to the original car UI
- Clear memory
- One-button split-screen display
Screenshot Description: A floating ball icon is displayed on the screen, and when expanded, it shows buttons for Home, Return, Voice, etc. Another screenshot shows the main application launcher with the floating ball visible.
Restore APPS
The ApplePie comes with many pre-installed applications. If you update an application to a new version and find that it is not working correctly, you can reinstall the pre-install app using the Install Manager within the ApkInstaller.
Screenshot Description: The ApkInstaller screen is shown, listing pre-installed apps like KKBOX, GBoard, YouTube, and Spotify, with an "Already installed" status and an "install" button.
Resolution Choosing
The ApplePie Mini supports resolutions from 1920x1080 (highest) down to 800x480 (lowest). Please drag the green bar in the provided image to select the appropriate resolution for your car's OEM headunit. This ensures smooth video playback.
Note: If you experience slow performance or freezing during UI operations, try lowering the resolution. Switch the display back to the original car UI and then back to the ApplePie UI to test the effect. Repeat this process if the issue persists.
Screenshot Description: A settings screen for ApplePie is shown, with an option for "Video Definition" and a visual representation of a slider or bar to adjust the resolution.
Firmware Update
- Download the firmware file (update.zip) and copy it directly to an empty TF card without unzipping it.
- Insert the TF card into the TF card slot on the unit. Turn on the unit; it will automatically copy the file to the smart box.
- After the file copy is complete, the update process takes approximately 6 minutes. Wait until the unit reboots. Then, remove the TF card.