Upgrade Your CarPlay & Android Auto With This Fast Charger
▼ Summary
– The PDFriender 2Pad is a 65W car charger prototype that provides full-speed phone charging while enabling a wired Android Auto or CarPlay connection.
– It functions by using two USB-C ports: one connects to the phone and the other to the car, transferring the car’s signal while delivering power.
– In testing, the device worked well, offering instant, stable connections and fast charging, and it is fully USB-PD compliant.
– Its key benefit over wireless adapters is reducing strain on the phone by avoiding the heat from wireless data transfer combined with fast charging.
– The product is planned for production around 2026, with an estimated launch price similar to typical wireless adapters, around €50 ($60).
For drivers who rely on Android Auto or CarPlay, the daily struggle is real. Plugging in your phone with a standard cable often provides frustratingly slow charging, while going wireless can quickly drain your battery. A new device called the PDFriender 2Pad aims to solve this exact problem by combining full-speed charging with a seamless wired connection to your car’s infotainment system.
At its heart, this gadget is a powerful 65W car charger. It plugs into your vehicle’s 12V power port, but it features two USB-C ports with a specific purpose. The first port connects directly to your smartphone. The second port connects to your car’s USB input for Android Auto or CarPlay. When both are plugged in, the device performs a clever trick: it passes the data signal from your car through to your phone while simultaneously delivering a full-speed charging current. This means your phone charges as quickly as it would from a wall charger at home, all while maintaining a stable, wired connection for your driving apps.
Testing with current smartphones shows the prototype works exactly as intended. Phones receive a rapid charge, observed at around 25W even at higher battery levels, while the Android Auto or CarPlay connection is instant and rock-solid. The experience is identical to a standard wired setup, but with the crucial addition of fast charging. The device is fully compliant with USB Power Delivery standards, ensuring broad compatibility.
A natural question arises: why choose this over a popular wireless adapter? While wireless options offer convenience, they come with trade-offs. Wireless connections generate heat and drain battery life, and pairing that with fast charging can put significant thermal strain on a device. The PDFriender’s approach removes that strain. Furthermore, a wired connection is inherently more reliable, eliminating the occasional audio stutters or connection drops that can plague wireless setups. The speed of connection is also noticeably faster; there’s no waiting for a wireless handshake to complete.
Currently, the PDFriender 2Pad is a prototype, with a target production date set for 2026. The anticipated price point is competitive, aiming to be similar to a quality wireless adapter. The final design is expected to refine the prototype, which currently lacks clear labeling for its two dedicated ports (left for phone, right for car).
For those interested in the core technology now, the same company offers the TreePod. This product provides similar functionality but as a separate dongle that sits between your phone, car, and a charger. It achieves the same goal of fast charging plus data passthrough, though the integrated 2Pad design promises a cleaner, more streamlined solution for the future.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
