Playing any other audio than Apple CarPlay/Android and radio - has there been a solution?

[Ozarkbeard]

Almost seems changing cd’s would still be more time efficient . At least they sound way better!

I really cannot imagine futzing with physical CDs in a truck, or leaving them in the vehicle in 100°+ heat. And as for sound quality; yes, CDs would sound better than low bitrate MP3s on a decent home sound system with proper speakers and no background noise. But in a moving vehicle with a "meh" sound system, you're probably not going to hear a difference between CDs and MP3s of decent bitrate, or other (better) audio formats.

Sponsored

 

[rallyshark]

If you want to skip screwing around with your phone to listen to your MP3's and are tired of Ford's asinine USB search while moving, you need an "AI box". It's basically a tiny little box that runs it's own Android operating system that will interface with your factory head unit. You can put ALL of your tunes on an micro SD card and let that box handle playing all of your music via any music playing app you wish, and the sound quality will be light years better than streaming on BT. Your phone can connect to the AI box via BT, so making calls hands free works just as it did before. It can also do wireless android auto or apple carplay through the box. In other words, you only gain features, and lose nothing.

Another plus is you'll have access to any app you can put on an android phone on your factory head unit. I check my trail cams, and even watch TV during lunch breaks on mine(use my phone as a hot spot). I use Poweramp or AIMP to play my tunes. I originally went this route, because my collection of music was more than the Ford system would recognize. On top of that, changing songs/artists while using the USB drive is made damn near impossible with Ford's nanny telling you not to do that while driving. The AI box also allows you to switch back to the factory screen and retain all other adjustments and uses. I absolutely love it, and the additional things you can do with it.

I linked the one I have below, but there are many other brands that should work just the same available on Amazon. I bought one of the more expensive ones, because I wanted as much space and processing power as possible. It really made my truck way more enjoyable. On a side note, the box is very small and I used velcro to attach it to the bottom of the center console above the storage area. It is invisible, except for the little USB cord you see plugged in.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YQ2V4G...ZV9U0BCP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Mavidiesel]

I use a micro SD card in a mini Micro SD card reader, works great. Just make sure it's formatted for FAT32 or exFAT (for cards larger than 32GB) to make sure it will work.

Ok this I can get behind. Micro SDs can be nice and fast. Super fast to load too with a pc. I’ll get one of these.

 

[Jeff D.]

Rallyshark, that box is very intriguing to me.

Is the operating system, Android 13, upgradable as new versions are released? Say Android 14, or 15 in the future?

For me, being able to have my dog tracker map on the infotainment screen while out searching for my escape artist beagle, would be nice. Riding around the neighborhood trying to look at my tracker phone app can be a pain.

 

[Automan21]

I use the carlinkit plug in. Then stream either my pandora, sirius app or YouTube.

 

[George hal]

So I’ve been griping over the fact that the only way I can listen to music in my Maverick is by either streaming or listening to the radio. Has anyone figured out a way to make hooking up a thumb drive or an MP3 player actually work in their truck? I’ve tried the thumb drive deal and every time I get in my vehicle it’s like 25 minutes of indexing before it’s able to play a song and then it’s super sketchy trying to get it to play through a whole song. Something interesting to note my buddy plugs a thumb drive into his brand new Toyota, and it instantly works. None of this long-term indexing that needs to be done every time I’m kind of wondering if Ford has created an update yet for the head unit to get around this

I have a 2024 xl and a thumb drive plays with no problem.

 

[rallyshark]

Rallyshark, that box is very intriguing to me.

Is the operating system, Android 13, upgradable as new versions are released? Say Android 14, or 15 in the future?

For me, being able to have my dog tracker map on the infotainment screen while out searching for my escape artist beagle, would be nice. Riding around the neighborhood trying to look at my tracker phone app can be a pain.

I don't honestly know, but I would assume so? I would imagine that it'd be pretty useful for tracking the dog though. I really enjoy being able to run almost any android app right there on the truck screen

 

[TacoTanium]

I use a micro SD card in a mini Micro SD card reader, works great. Just make sure it's formatted for FAT32 or exFAT (for cards larger than 32GB) to make sure it will work.

This sounds dumb but can you post a picture? lol. It sounds like your doing what OP is doing but yours is working and OP's isn't.....same setup.

Just curious because most new cars today you can just plug in a USB drive and it works instantly.

 

[Mavidiesel]

I have a 2024 xl and a thumb drive plays with no problem.

Can you load in folders of albums or just the tracks only?

 

[Deweyordeweynot]

If you want to skip screwing around with your phone to listen to your MP3's and are tired of Ford's asinine USB search while moving, you need an "AI box". It's basically a tiny little box that runs it's own Android operating system that will interface with your factory head unit. You can put ALL of your tunes on an micro SD card and let that box handle playing all of your music via any music playing app you wish, and the sound quality will be light years better than streaming on BT. Your phone can connect to the AI box via BT, so making calls hands free works just as it did before. It can also do wireless android auto or apple carplay through the box. In other words, you only gain features, and lose nothing.

Another plus is you'll have access to any app you can put on an android phone on your factory head unit. I check my trail cams, and even watch TV during lunch breaks on mine(use my phone as a hot spot). I use Poweramp or AIMP to play my tunes. I originally went this route, because my collection of music was more than the Ford system would recognize. On top of that, changing songs/artists while using the USB drive is made damn near impossible with Ford's nanny telling you not to do that while driving. The AI box also allows you to switch back to the factory screen and retain all other adjustments and uses. I absolutely love it, and the additional things you can do with it.

I linked the one I have below, but there are many other brands that should work just the same available on Amazon. I bought one of the more expensive ones, because I wanted as much space and processing power as possible. It really made my truck way more enjoyable. On a side note, the box is very small and I used velcro to attach it to the bottom of the center console above the storage area. It is invisible, except for the little USB cord you see plugged in.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YQ2V4G...ZV9U0BCP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Sweet! Doing this to mine soonest. Great tip!

 

[Rkfd hopeful]

I use the carlinkit plug in. Then stream either my pandora, sirius app or YouTube.

I was interested in getting something so I can be wireless and play videos. Do you have the carlinkit 5.0. Was it really plug and play. I got a 50 amazon special bit couldn't get it to work. I would love to know what kind of "AI boxes" people have been able to work on their Maverick

 

[Automan21]

I was interested in getting something so I can be wireless and play videos. Do you have the carlinkit 5.0. Was it really plug and play. I got a 50 amazon special bit couldn't get it to work. I would love to know what kind of "AI boxes" people have been able to work on their Maverick

Yea I have that one, I can get in the Mav and not worry about plugging in and also I can watch movies(when parked of course).

 

[StarNut]

Anyplace you might recommend to download free music to play on Pulsar? I have a vague idea how all this works and am trying to figure out how to get some tunes in my Mav.

Check your local library, many have albums you can download for free. Mine allows 1 a week.

 

[mikeg52]

OK, first off, I'm 73years old, so let that explain my tech ignorance.
I have a job one, 25 Lariat, AWD Hybrid. While I do have several SD Micro cards with music on them , I've noticed they play all the songs in alphabetical order. Doesn't matter if that;s how they were put on the cards like that or put on the card under their particular album.. The first card I made for the Maverick was Neil Young. I just put the songs om the card, not by album, but individually, The SD card organized them alphabetically, and that's how they play. The next card I down loaded was albums, by several different artists. they play out alphabetically by song title . Weird but acceptable (I guess). Here's my question : I have several Pono digital music players at my disposal. the PONO player also uses SD Micro cards ( which Is why I have several Music SD cards available) , IT also has an internal; drive where it can also store Music files, on a more permanent basis. I do not have a way, as of yet to connect me Pono Player to the Maverick, but I keep trying. My question for you guys is this, is there any way to connect A player to the USB a or USB c from an output made for a headphone jack ? I've searched the interwebs and found N Non.e .

Any help would be greatly appreciated !!

 

[Maverick Country Club]

Maybe this?…

Sponsored