I Tried Turning the 4th Gen Tacoma Factory Screen Into Something More Useful

[SmokyMtnTaco]

One thing I’ve missed from my 3rd Gen Tacoma is having a head unit that could do a lot more than the factory system.


I didn’t want to replace the screen in my Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter, so I tried a different route with the Ottocast P3 Pro.


I wasn’t sure how well an AI box would actually integrate with the factory Tacoma screen — especially once I started testing streaming, web browsing, internet options and everyday usability.


A couple things surprised me.


Full test here:



Curious what everyone else is using with the 4th Gen factory display.

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[lauren01]

One thing I’ve missed from my 3rd Gen Tacoma is having a head unit that could do a lot more than the factory system.


I didn’t want to replace the screen in my Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter, so I tried a different route with the Ottocast P3 Pro.


I wasn’t sure how well an AI box would actually integrate with the factory Tacoma screen — especially once I started testing streaming, web browsing, internet options and everyday usability.


A couple things surprised me.


Full test here:



Curious what everyone else is using with the 4th Gen factory display.

That is one useful puck. Much better than the laggy, quirky MagicBox we bought in 2019 when we camped in our 2016 CR-V. Played your video for wife and she’s shopping the Ottocast P3 Pro…lawd help me…thanks Ole Smoky.

 

[Sner]

It’ll likely be an obsolete product if Apple does what they say. It won’t be long and you’ll be able to play YouTube. “Apple added the underlying software framework for video streaming in iOS 27”. No release date yet, but spending $300 seems questionable. I’ll just wait thanks.

 

[lauren01]

It’ll likely be an obsolete product if Apple does what they say. It won’t be long and you’ll be able to play YouTube. “Apple added the underlying software framework for video streaming in iOS 27”. No release date yet, but spending $300 seems questionable. I’ll just wait thanks.

You read my mind. We looked into it further and Ottocast wants subscription monies to get the most from their system. I am well hoed out to Apple since 1980 and will hope for their magick at some point. All Ottocast would do is let me leave my iPad at home. It’s cool though and I appreciate knowing it’s available.

 

[Sner]

You read my mind. We looked into it further and Ottocast wants subscription monies to get the most from their system. I am well hoed out to Apple since 1980 and will hope for their magick at some point. All Ottocast would do is let me leave my iPad at home. It’s cool though and I appreciate knowing it’s available.

If the ottocast was a more reasonable price I could maybe justify it. But knowing Apple, it’ll come eventually and when it does it will likely work better than rival products.

bigger thing to remember is those who post here with a link to their youtube channel and a discount code likely didn’t pay for the product and are likely just looking to make some money over anything else.

 

[Will721]

I highly doubt apple will add the ability to play YouTube videos to carplay. Too much of a liability for a company that size. Most likely it has something more to do with YouTube music playback.

I just don't have the time or frankly ambition, but what I would really like to do is build an onboard streaming PC based on a Raspberry Pi. Would be much faster, more stable, and upgradable. With an android based OS, you would in theory be limitless to app usage.

The coolest part of it, is alot of dash cams are adding Bluetooth apps to download footage. In theory you could connect it to the Pi and automatically download all footage. If combined further with a starlink or onboard hotspot, it could also upload to a cloud or home server any time the truck is running.

 

[Sner]

I highly doubt apple will add the ability to play YouTube videos to carplay. Too much of a liability for a company that size. Most likely it has something more to do with YouTube music playback.

I just don't have the time or frankly ambition, but what I would really like to do is build an onboard streaming PC based on a Raspberry Pi. Would be much faster, more stable, and upgradable. With an android based OS, you would in theory be limitless to app usage.

The coolest part of it, is alot of dash cams are adding Bluetooth apps to download footage. In theory you could connect it to the Pi and automatically download all footage. If combined further with a starlink or onboard hotspot, it could also upload to a cloud or home server any time the truck is running.

Think what you want, but it’s a fact, been announced. Here’s a link to Apple’s developer webpage explaining to developers on how to “Discover how to create CarPlay video apps so people can browse and watch their favorite videos in supported vehicles when parked. Learn how to integrate thumbnails, media information, and voice controls in your CarPlay app.”

Not sure how much more proof you need.

its going to happen.

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