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Since everything works wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, there’s also no mess of cables to deal with. This isn’t just a convenient thing. This means no dangling wires within reach of young children.
Where technology collides
This is where the real test comes in. In split-screen mode, the system displays CarPlay and the camera feed side by side, with CarPlay positioned on the left for easier access. It’s a smart layout in theory because you get the best of both worlds, but there are some limitations. To accommodate the camera feed, the CarPlay interface has been condensed significantly. It’s still usable, but it’s small enough that I often touch the wrong icon, especially while driving, when precise tapping isn’t exactly my priority. It’s not a deal breaker, but you’ll notice it, especially if your fingers aren’t very pretty.
Switching to camera mode provides a full-screen view of the back seat, but it comes at the expense of CarPlay controls. Music still plays and calls don’t drop, but I lose access to inputs like the Skip Track and End Call buttons on the steering wheel. If you rely heavily on steering wheel controls, the trade-off will be noticeable, but I find myself sticking with split-screen mode most of the time anyway.
Photo: Nicole Kenning
Another interface feature worth pointing out is that when I tap the screen, Ottocast overlays a back arrow in the top-left corner and a camera icon (the trademark owl) in the top-right corner. The problem is that CarPlay uses these corners to control keys: Spotify’s back button, Google Maps’ exit button, and the Now Playing shortcut. Ottocast overlay hinders your click. It disappears after a few seconds, but if the next click doesn’t go exactly where I want it, the Ottocast icons immediately appear and get in my way again.
In general, Ottocast Cabin Care works best when you treat it as a convenient upgrade, rather than a perfect solution. It solves the problem of being able to check your child in the car without turning around, and it does so in a way that feels (mostly) smooth in everyday use.