we analyze the Ottocast Picasou 2

Cars are becoming more and more like smartphones. Yes, partly because we’re starting to have to charge them at night while we sleep if we have an electric one, but also because its software is getting more and more advanced. Proposals like those from Tesla or Android Automotive are a good example, but not all cars have these features.

That’s why there are brands like Ottocast that specialize in creating advanced solutions for cars that only have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. In this case, we are dealing with a device that allows the use of the Apple CarPlay interface to use a complete Android system.

• Buy Ottocast Picasou 2

And yes, that includes the Google Play Store.

What’s in the box

The Ottocast Picasou 2 is one of those devices designed to be hooked up to the car and stored in the glove box or left exposed. That’s why it includes an LED light which is also configurable.

The device is delivered in the box, which is circular and particularly thick (this is normal considering all that it contains) as well as three cables. There’s a USB-C to USB-C, a USB-C to USB-A, and another that lets you add extra power if needed by connecting the Picasou 2 to the car’s cigarette lighter.

In the box, it’s striking that there aren’t even any connection instructions, and that’s just because it’s not necessary.

All we have to do is plug the device into the car, start it up, and start setting everything up. Of course, either we use a SIM card in the Ottocast Picasou 2 or we use the mobile router.

connectors and ports

You would think that connectivity does not seem important in a product of this type, but you would be wrong.

The Ottocast Picasou 2 has a USB-C port to connect the charger, but also a microSD slot to expand the 64 GB of internal memory it has (which is not expandable, obviously, are its 4 GB of RAM).

It also has a miniHDMI port to connect an external screen, perfect to put it behind the headrest so that children can see the drawings.

Android in the car

What this Ottocast Picasou 2 allows is to use Android on the screen of our car, as if it were a tablet, although with a particular interface, created to simulate the interfaces of cars .

The main screen has the control buttons on the left, with navigation, calls and media playback in the foreground, and access to some apps.

If we swipe, as you can see in the video that directs this scan, all the apps we have installed will appear. Some like YouTube or Netflix are standard, but nothing prevents us from installing others, like HBO Max.

It is true that some are not compatible, such as Disney+, but we can force the installation through an APK, which the system also allows.

As we’ve said before, the system connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and maintains compatibility with voice control in the car to use the Google Assistant, for example.

Of course, the fluidity is somewhat poor at times, although occasionally using the system while downloading videos, browsing or replying something quickly is not a problem.

The processor is the Snapdragon 665, a bit old chipset, the same happens to the interface, which is not one of the latest Androids, especially when it comes to multitasking.

conclusion

This device is not particularly cheap. It costs around 300 dollars, although they usually have discount coupons on their website. Unlike the Ottocast A2Air, it’s not a product for everyone who has Android Auto in their car (well, Apple CarPlay in this case).

• Buy Ottocast Picasou 2

It is worth buying if you spend a lot of time in the car, if you intend to put a rear screen, if you always have a companion, if you have long waiting times inside the vehicle.

Because the versatility and possibilities of the Ottocast Picasou 2 are enormous.

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