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Twelve South launches new Airfly Drive wireless CarPlay and Android Auto adapter

Just after launching some early fall Prime Day deals, Twelve South is ready to launch its all-new Airfly Drive today. The latest entry in the Airfly lineup, the new CarPlay and Android Auto adapter is live and available for purchase at $39.99. There’s a ton of no name brands out there making something similar (and usually much less elegant than this), but Twelve South has arrived.

Twelve South launches new Airfly Drive

For this unfamiliar with the existing Twelve South Airfly lineup, it is a range of small devices designed to provide wireless audio to AirPods (and other wireless headphones) from wired-only sources (flight entertainment systems, workout equipment, and more). 

With the new Airfly Drive, it is taking its experience in the space to your ride to deliver a “compact adapter that upgrades a car’s existing wired CarPlay or Android Auto to a fully wireless connection.”

Twelve South says million of drivers have cars without with CarPlay or Android Auto built in but without a wireless option, either because “the car predates it or because the wireless upgrade was part of a package they did not buy. Airfly Drive closes that gap for $39.99.“

You simply plug it in to the car’s USB port, pair up to two phones at the same time, and “CarPlay or Android Auto starts automatically every time the car does, with the phone still in the cup holder, a pocket, or a bag.”

A person holding their phones in a car

Features at glance:

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the car’s built-in display
  • Plug-and-play setup with no app, account, or charging required
  • Fast automatic reconnection every time the car starts
  • One-press switching between two paired phones
  • Compact aluminum housing designed to stay plugged in
  • USB-A and USB-C support, with a USB-A to USB-C adapter included
  • Works with the car’s existing display, buttons, and steering-wheel controls
  • Ongoing compatibility updates

Requiring no app, account, or configuration, it draws power from the car’s USB port and pairing only happens once with automatic reconnection upon ignition, according to the brand. It also works with rental cars and more “across more than 75 makes and model years back to 2014.” Airfly Drive fits both USB-A and USB-C ports with an adapter included in the box if needs be. 

The new Twelve South Airfly Drive is now available for purchase on Amazon at $39.99 shipped in black and white/silver colorways.

A close up of a car console

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Avatar for Justin Kahn Justin Kahn

Justin is a senior deal Jedi over at 9to5Toys where he heads up our game/app coverage and more. He also covers all things music for 9to5Mac, including the weekly Logic Pros series exploring music production on Mac and iOS devices


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