Wow. That's extremely disappointing that the more premium package doesn't support the greater feature. Have you or anyone else successfully connected the wireless adapter to the carnival?
Your explanation about the requested screen size and upscale makes sense, but, again, frustrating for a premium package. The full resolution of the display could also not supported by Android auto itself though not just Kia's software. I'll have to research that. May be a new resolution size.
While it’s unfortunate this feature hasn’t made its way to Kia’s larger infotainment screens like the ones on the Carnival EX, SX, and SX Prestige, it can’t be truly disappointing because those models aren’t advertised as supporting it. Just a little bit of research and spec sheet reading will reveal that.
I do not have my own AA Wireless adapter yet, I didn’t buy one when the campaign started since my primary device is an iPhone, so I didn’t think it was worthwhile (I have a
CarPlay2Air adapter to enable wireless CarPlay with my iPhone). I since changed my mind and ordered one to test out with my Pixel since so many people ask about it in the Telluride and Palisade groups. AA Wireless has been noted to be working with the 10.25” infotainment system on the Telluride and Palisade, so should operate just fine with the Carnival 12.3” system (which is identical save for physical size).
Regarding resolution,
Google began providing support for oddly-shaped (e.g., widescreen) infotainment setups soon after the first Hyundai/Kia 10.25” units began shipping (the 2020 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Sonata, followed soon by the Palisade, were the first to get that system in early 2019). Of course, those units (and all of them thereafter) act like the only possibility for AA is the old-style non-widescreen rectangle. And since CarPlay did support oddly-shaped screens at the time, every Telluride, Sonata, Palisade, and subsequent vehicle with this system does support CarPlay taking up the entire screen. That’s why I say that in theory, a simple software update is all that is needed to tell them that they can look for varying resolutions of Android Auto (including widescreen if the split screen function is disabled). Unfortunately, I’m becoming more and more skeptical that this will happen, since four software updates have come and gone with no changes on the AA front. Nothing may happen until they completely revamp the system to add wireless CarPlay/AA, but of course that would be of no help to anyone who already bought a vehicle.