ATOTO S8 Gen2 Ultra review - 1yr+ after install 

Thank you. When I'm thinking about purchasing something new, I usually binge on RU-vid videos to get a better idea of how the product works. There are plenty of S8 videos that run down the specs and features. I just wanted to show how you can use the Android features to show all the things you can do with it. I didn't think it would run for over 40 minutes, but honestly there were plenty of minutae that I didn't dig into. (Don't need to go into every menu of the Radio app or show how to rename preset buttons).

Hey, thanks for the kind words. Yeah, when I looking for "more info" on the S8, most reviewers were just reading off spec sheet details and I never felt that I got to know what its going to be like to use it. Yawn. I really don't care how many centimeters wide or tall it is. I just need to know its a Double Din unit since I'm not getting out a ruler and measuring my car's DDin radio bay.

Yeah, I pretty much watch You Tube videos to try to get a feel for a product before I buy it. Especially something that is costly. So I made this video to try and answer those questions for anyone who is would be looking for that kind of information. The gestures work ok, but really you only need the volume up/down. After that it gets odd. Plus like I showed with my Stick Shift, too many gestures while shifting would likely lead to issues.

Yeah, that is the problem with all our head units. One day the apps will require android 11 and they will age out Kinda like when you find a late 2000's car with GPS navigation. It was cutting edge them, but today its nothing compared to Google Maps. But thank you for the kind words.

@@DonJOBrien I'm still weighing on my decision to get the S8 Ultra. If I can get 4 or 5 years out of it before the major apps stop working, it may still be worth it. Tough decision.

True. I kind of expect that I will purchasing a S8 Gen5 or a S9 type of model in a few years that has Android 17 just to remain compatible with apps. Its kinda funny when I get into a mid 2000's car that has GPS Navigation and animation looks so dated.

It really is a solid unit. Enjoy.

They do not have XM Radio adapters, but as you already have observed, they do not need it. You can just install the XM Radio Android app to the ATOTO and stream the XM content that way. If I'm not mistaken, I think there are even additional XM channels that are only available via streaming. So it may be the preferred method anyway. Thanks for the command and have a good day.

I can’t really remember now. There is a assistant app that you can run, it might prompt you for permissions that you will need. I also set up the voice controls for JBV1 and that may have enabled some android voice control settings.

Hi there. The sound quality is satisfactory I'm not a audiophile, so I don't have extra amps or improved speakers. So I can't claim to be expert there. The interface was a Metra brand for Ford interface. I actually ran into issues with the Adapter and Interface when installing this S8 in my 2008 Mustang. It turns out that Ford transitioned the Mustang from the Old style "adapter" wiring to the new Canbus style "interface" during the middle of the 2008 model year. Unfortunately for me I have a 2008. So I ended up buying the nice $10 adapter and found that it didn't work. The radio wouldn't power up and when I traced the power cable from the radio's Metra adapter to the Ford receiving plug for it, the power cable pin wasn't present on the Ford/car end. That was when I knew I had a mismatch. Doing a bit more digging and we found that if the Mustang had a build date after like 11/17/2007 (I just made that date up) that you needed to use the CanBus interface instead That Metra Interface translates the CanBus signals to something the radio can understand. But the Interface costs like $70 vs the $10 for the simple old style. Still the interface does have some advantages such as presenting a "reverse" lead wire for the back camera trigger. If you want to watch my install video, it is here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DFxV7WQch1E.html

@@DonJOBrien Thank you so much.

So far the version of Android has not been a problem. It seems that the apps that I use are still getting updates and are working. I also use my Google ID on the Google apps (RU-vid, Maps, Playstore, etc..). They have all been fine. But we all know that someday it will expire and we will be stuck with non-functional apps. But for today ,we enjoy.

I just stuck them on the glass by the A pillar. One horizontal at the roof line, the other vertical by the pillar. They seem to work fine there.

It’s the “MyRadar” app.

While I don’t have an Android phone, I am sure it does support AA. It should work the same as the Apple CarPlay does.

I got the ATOTO AC-4450. It was fairly cheap and I knew it would work with the S8. I do have to usually do a manual pairing each time I want to use it. Honestly, my 2008 Mustang doesn't have a ton of sensors running, so the usefulness is limited. Just watching temps and stuff.

No, I don't have a USB DVD drive in the Car. I pretty much just stream RU-vid when it comes to video.

I'm always trying tio find that "Killer" Android app for my ATOTO and for the past year, I didn't really have much. But then I saw those Vortex Videos on the Radar Detectors. Eventually i was let to the rabbit hole and found out about JBV1, so I had to shout about it. It is just so perfect for this role. I do wish there was a good Gas/Fuel management app that I can find. When I go looking, they are either just "find the nearest station with prices" (Which I can do with AAA or even Google Maps) or they get 1 star reviews.

Than you for the compliment. I appreciate it. I never did hook up the external microphone, I was already running wires all all over the car (Cellular, Wifi, Backup Camera, as well as Dash Cam and Radar Detector power), so I decided to just go with the internal mic first and if it didn't perform acceptably, I would later install the external microphone. Well it has been nearly two years and everyone says that I sound fine when using the internal mic, so I have never felt the need to connect up the external mic. Its not only useful for phone calls, but I have also have the Google Voice app which allows me to make phone calls via the SIM card that it installed in the Head Unit. I have also used it for Teams/Zoom/WebEx apps while I drive. Note: If you have a gmail/google account, i would recommend getting a Google Voice number/accnt and install the app on your head unit. I have "forgot" and left my iPhone at home and with the GVoice app, I was still able to use my Head Unit to call home and have my wife verify that my phone was there. So its good to have that other option.

@@DonJOBrien thank you so much for the informative responce!! I will absolutely look into the Google voice app!! I have a couple questions.... How are you doing zoom?!?! With the dash cam? Or your phone for video and head unit for sound? Second (I'm not all that sharp) the sim card.

@@DonJOBrien the sim card. How does that relate to using the Google voice app? The whole sim card in the radio confuses me lol

No Video, just audio. So I don't have a USB camera connected to the S8. I do have a separate DashCam, but it's not the ATOTO DVR USB Dashcam. But I am able listen and talk when I'm on meetings as well as view any shared video from others.

The SIM card allows the S8 Ultra to have its own Cellular Network connection. It essentially makes the S8 another device/phone on your cell phone plan. Think of it like having a Cellular enabled tablet, but instead its your car's head unit. This way it doesn't have to pair with a cell phone for Internet access. But one issue is that the cell features of this unit are "data only". So the S8 can only use the "data" services of the Cellular Data plan. It does not use the Cellular Voice service. So you aren't supposed to be able to make "phone calls" with it. Your sim card does however come with a phone number, and if I text a sms message to it, I do see a message show up on the S8's screen. But using a Voice over IP app is a work around to this limitation, It takes your voice and just interfaces with the phone network and allows you to make calls via the app, I'm only recommending Google Voice because its free and most people already have a Google account, especially if you are using a Android system. I'm sure Magic Jack and many others will also work to allow you to make calls on a Cellular enabled ATOTO S8. If found it useful when I left my iPhone at home, but was still able to make calls via the S8's data plan.

I guess I'm not sure what you are asking. Are you asking if you can use this as an Android Hub to a "Smart life" home automation system? I guess you could use it as a Home Kiosk. You would need a AC to 12v DC converter, but those are each to find and are cheap. That woud give you all of the Audio functions that you would expect in a car. it would also have Wifi and Bluetooth. So what ever Android app use that to control devices, should work ok Very interesting approach that you are considering.

I did not have the original Gen1 S8,so I can't give you a fair analysis. I do know that People who had the A6 and F7 do say that the S8 is much fasters, resulting in a smoother experience. If you aren't having performance issues, then I think you Gen1 is likely just as good the Gen2. If you use Facebook, I'd recommend joining the "ATOTO Android Head Unit Owners OFFICAL" group. Plenty of good posters there from the multiple head units, Plus ATOTO support reps post there occasionally.

Yes, there are a number of launchers out there, I tried Nova on my Phoenix Automotive PX6 and didn't really care for it. But I do suspect that I may like one of the other ones if I gave them a try and some effort.

@@DonJOBrien how is the call quality through the built-in mic

Acceptable. People say that i sound fine and I have never felt the need to ever install the included external mic

The metal leads go the right and the notched corner of the sim is up and towards you as the sim card is inserted. The sim slot an the SD card slots appears identical with the "sim" title right between the two. So I can see someone trying to insert in the wrong slot. Be sure to use the upper slot for the SIM card.

The ATOTO does come with may apps pre-installed. But they are mostly generic Android Apps (Music Player, Bluetooth Phone app, File Manager, Settings, Radio, etc) and then some of the most Common Google Apps such as: Google Maps, Google Assistant, Chrome, RU-vid, and Play Store. There are also a number of shortcuts that mascarade as apps. So if you see a "Navigator" icon, it really configurable to point towards your favorite Navigation app, such as Google Maps or Waze. They do throw in some extra apps of interest, such as TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors) app or that Carlink app that does Apple Carplay and I think Android Auto. Like a Android Tablet, once you get it up and running you head to the playstore and download apps that are of interest to you. For me, the following apps were a download from Playstore. Waze - For traffic awareness and Navigation JBV1 - For traffic awareness and Radar Detector integration MyRadar - For when I want to see a good weather radar. Apple Music - My Family's subscription service of choice. Pandora - Streaming music (awkward gui design often prevents me from accessing the part of the screen to put in my pw) Spotify - Streaming audio/video MyQ - Garage Door Opener eufy Security - Home Camera Monitoring Speed Test - Runs internet connection speed tests Network Analyzer - Scans for Wifi networks (Just plain geek fun) Police Scanner - Monitor local police chatter There are some apps that I thought that I would have wanted but realized that they are just better kept on my phone rather than the head unit. Something like Amazon, or Chrome, or even Netflix just don't end up being used on the Head unit. If I want to browse around for items in Amazon or Chrome, its just better done on a hand held device such as my phone. It gets awkward quick on the head unit. Also movie/show content such as on Netflix or Disney+ can't really be viewed while driving, so those are not really used even when you get them working, Much of the RU-vid content that I consume is often some talking head just yapping, so I don't really look at the screen for youtube while driving, just listen. That does remind me to mention something, often the Playstore versions of Netflix or Disney+ do not work on the head units, you have to search around to find a .apk file of the app and install that to get a working version. I hope this answers your question.

​@@DonJOBrienWhy would D+ not work on Android headunits? That's one of the main reasons I want to get an android headunit: control and stream D+ to headrest monitors for my kids on long road trips

For some reason many of the Pay streaming Video apps do not like the Android Head Units. This is true for Phoenix auto's head units as well as ATOTO. Also it happens with Netflix, Disney+ and others. For some reason the version of the app that is in the Playstore thinks that the head units are not compatible. My guess is that for legal reasons, they don't want the liability of someone watching a video via their app in a car while driving. So they block it. The good news is that its relatively easy to find other copies of the streaming apps that do work on these head units from other apk download sites. So you can get a version of D+ that will work, just not on the playstore. I myself don't watch "shows" in the car, so aside from my early attempts to "make it work", I long forgot about them and have deleted them from my HU. I do use RU-vid for Video, but really, many of the videos I play while driving are mostly just some "talking head" where I listen to the audio, but ignore the video while I drive. Other times I will watch while I'm parked waiting for someone else or eating fast food.

@@DonJOBrien I take it that side loading those apks will be pretty simple? Actually, I've been looking. Looks like Atoto has a box that'll concert HDMI to RCA inputs for the headunit. Using the S8's wifi I can connect a Roku stick as an input and run Roku through the headunit to rear monitors, bypassing issues with D+ and Amazon Prime.

No, The one I have is the ATOTO S8 Ultra Double Din Gen 2 7 Inch model. www.amazon.com/ATOTO-Andriod-Car-Dash-Navigation/dp/B08HNL9753/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2DZKLGJIHOVD7&keywords=ATOTO%2BS8%2BUltra&qid=1672758409&sprefix=atoto%2Bs8%2Bultra%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySkJEOFBHREtYNVdCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDQ2OTgyUE9OMU9YWFVPVDVDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNDYxMTIxUjY4WktaTFJQR0M0JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1 The 10.1 Inch models have a separate display that mounts to the Head Unit. It kind of "floats" forward of where the Head Unit mounts. They are pretty cool, but in my Mustang, that 10" model would have obstructed too many of the Car's buttons, so I had to be happy with the 7". I do have a 17" (no kidding) Phoenix Automotive Android Head Unit in my Expedition. It is massive, but hardware wise, its Android 9 with sub-par bluetooth and networking, So it can't pair with my Radar detector like the ATOTO does, nor does it have a cellular option. So if it ever dies on me, I would very much likely replace it with a 10.1 ATOTO and be happy.

@@DonJOBrien Nice. It looks to be superior to a lot of other android units out there. Thanks!

I agree. ATOTO has done a solid job on this one. I would also recommend the ATOTO facebook group as there is usually useful conversations on there about it.

I checked and I don't see a way to do it. I can dim it down so its not full bright, but the only times I have been able to turn off the display is when the whole radio is shut off. The power button also doubles as a mute button for what its worth.

What I do is pull up an image from gallery of a black screen and it simulates a turned off screen while the music plays. I only do it for long drives though it's kinda a hassle.

I never did as mine works fine out of the box. But it has been long enough that perhaps I should.

depends what you want to do with it. do you want the 4g cellular connection or not. if not then get the premium. it's only missing the cellular and the gesture control

@@nigward.1018 Thank you for the reply. And I agree. And I guess the 4G/128gb as well trying to decide if the memory and ram are worth it as well.

@@ttzofutah well tbh, the ram is i believe only one more gigabyte than the premium, but yes the ultra definitely has more space on it, however you can put an sd card in all of them so you can decide if you want the internal memory higher

@@nigward.1018 I didn't see the SD slot on the front of the premium. It has no physical buttons. Do you know if the SD is in the back?

@@ttzofutah its actually on the frint under the touch buttons, its in the bottom left of it

Its a Android, so you can either download the apps from stores, or install the .apk files from a usb/sd card. I've only downloaded one other Radio app, but it did work. I will say that the included one is pretty good, so I've stuck with that. The Rear Camera (and front) use RCA yellow connector, so I would expect non-atoto cameras to work (won't do virtual 3d mode overhead). But a factory camera would work if you can get it to output in RCA. I have a pioneer in one of my cars, it stinks compared to the ATOTO. The pioneer's GUI is all over the place and very confusing. Some pages are icons, others are pull down lists, other are button lists. No thanks, the ATOTO is safely intuitive.

So to get the ATOTO ultra gen 2 and not be worry about reliability compared to the “ big brands “? Do my steering wheel control will work , answer, hang up , volume , stations , do I need special module for them ? It’s coming with that ? What do you think about the android 10 it won’t be absolute soon ? Maybe atoto make new update model soon ? What’s worry me it’s reliability but I need android open device that I can install stuff with integrated SIM card for internet, Thank you

I’ve had mine for two years now with only small problems. So I would recommend.

Yeah. I covered the wring in my Installation Video. That was a fun time, the Mustang happened to change their wiring Mid Model year for 2008 and so I had originaly wired the old way first, (it didnt' work) and then found out why and had to get a interface to correctly wire it up the new way.

There is a ATOTO Facebook group, you may have luck getting files over there

What app are you using for the songs? Apple Music or something else?

@@DonJOBrien spotify

I checked into your observation with Spotify and Carplay. My results were that it changed songs quickly. So I hate to say, it but I didn't replicate what you are seeing. Is this delay consistent? I can imagine that since CarPlay is just a 'pass-thru' to your iPhone, that it is the iPhone that dictates performance. If you using your iPhone's spotify app alone (not in carplay), do you see the same delays there?

@@DonJOBrien i think its because i use wireless apple car play and not wired, haven’t had the time to test it tho cause i didnt plug in the carplay wire

I only use Wireless Carplay as well. So that works fine for me.

It’s an android 10 system

I will have to try that,

I have had mine connected for well over a year and no drain.

i see a whole lot of threads saying they also have a constant .5a drain at the constant 12v wire, still haven't found the solution.@@DonJOBrien