What’s in the Box?
Note the absence of an actual carport/cigarette lighter adaptor.
It’s just assumed you have a USB-C port somewhere on your dashboard.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
I don’tand my car isn’t that old (a 2014 Mitsubishi Outland PHEV).
Luckily, I had an older charger that came with my now broken dashcam, but even so.
So you may need to factor in another $10 cost for a USB car power adaptor.
The MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 secures well to any vent with a ratcheting clamp, and the MagSafe pad keeps your iPhone attached and charging wirelessly. Uniquely, a toggle switch lets you swap between three built-in NFC tags, allowing you to launch your Shortcut actions. Unfortunately, these aren’t enough to justify the high price, and could be easily replicated with either Siri or some sticky NFC tags.
Youll need to stick your fingernail in there and toggle the inset switch.
Each one is a unique tag that can be assigned a different action.
By default, each NFC tag is programmed with a URL pointing toward the Pitaka website.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
Assigning these actions is suprisingly easy, using the built-in Shortcuts app on iOS.
Android offers similar functionality, though I haven’t tested it there.
I got as far as “open Spotify.”
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
Neither Play nor Play a specific playlist are supported within Spotify.
Opening up the app is better than nothing, I suppose.
I also added a Shortcut that would open Maps and add a new destination for Home.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
Apple’s native apps have much better support, of course.
And remember that you don’t really need NFC anyway: a Siri command is equally as functional.
There is a way to fix this without messing up your created Shortcuts: download thefree NFC Tools app.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
Youll find the option toErase Tagin there underOther.
Do this for each switchable tag, and the URL encoded will be removed.
It’s a minor annoyance, and there’s no reason for this to be programmed in, anyway.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
Should You Buy the Pitaka MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2?
The Pitaka MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 is overpriced.
I could almost forgive that if it included a suitable car port charger; but it doesn’t.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
But you’ll find competing MagSafe car mounts that can do that for half the price.
The question is then: do you want to pay twice as much for some NFC tags?
It’s not a flawed productit just isn’t worth it.
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
