Database Develop

[Q] Duplicate Ipod Functionality

I just got a new car and it has a spiffy usb hook up where you can plug in an ipod/flash drive/phone and it will play music off of it. The ipod works amazingly with the stereo system, displaying titles and artist as well as making navigation really easy. The display/navigation is **** when hooking up a flash drive/phone.
It would be amazing for my phone to work the same way as the ipod.
Right now there doesn't seem to be anything like that out. I know that I probably can't change anything with the way the car's stereo system recognizes and plays devices, so that means the hack would have to be on the phone. The only way I can think it would work is the make the phone spoof as an ipod when connected to the car's usb hook up.
I'd like to know if anyone has tried doing this before, maybe on a different phone or device? Is this possible at all, and if so, where would I start?
The phone I have now is a Captivate running Serendipity rom and the car is a 2010 Honda Civic.

This would be an excellent idea for an app. I hope this can be made possible

Have you tried putting the phone in USB storage mode? Either through the standard menu items, or enable USB debugging, and enable it after you plug it in.
Sent from my Captivate running Continuum 5.5

The mass storage thing works for just playing music but it displays songs terribly, usually just by track number and the number (not the name) of the folder, sorted by creation date. It's basically impossible to use if you have more than a small amount of songs.

I just connect the phone to my car stereo via BT, plug the phone into a car charger, set the display to always on, place it in my dash mount to the right of my steering wheel and use the phone to see the Now Playing info. My steering wheel controls work the phone just fine so I can skip foward/back and raise/lower volume. When I shut the car off the music automatically pauses until I come back and it automatically reconnects to the radio and I just hit Play again.

Miami_Son said:
I just connect the phone to my car stereo via BT, plug the phone into a car charger, set the display to always on, place it in my dash mount to the right of my steering wheel and use the phone to see the Now Playing info. My steering wheel controls work the phone just fine so I can skip foward/back and raise/lower volume. When I shut the car off the music automatically pauses until I come back and it automatically reconnects to the radio and I just hit Play again.
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Click to collapse
My car doesn't have blue tooth so this isn't really an option right now.
I'm actually willing to write an app for this, but I'm not sure entirely where to start. The biggest unknown is how the stereo system recognizes ithe ipod and what it sends/receives to/from the ipod.
If I had some starter code where someone did something similar or documentation on how the ipod works of usb I should be able to at least start writing an app for this.

dpayne19 said:
If I had some starter code where someone did something similar or documentation on how the ipod works of usb I should be able to at least start writing an app for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not going to find that in here.

I would look up what kind of stereo the car has and the technology it uses. I can bet there is a forum out there on that type of stereo. Your probably not the only one with this question.... If you can list the specs i will look into it myself.

echonc said:
I would look up what kind of stereo the car has and the technology it uses. I can bet there is a forum out there on that type of stereo. Your probably not the only one with this question.... If you can list the specs i will look into it myself.
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Click to collapse
The car is a 2010 Honda Civic Ex. I don't know what the stereo system is, it's what ever comes stock.

Welcome to proprietary apple exclusive deals. Do you think the ipod integration and lack of android integration is accidental?
By all means if you can write an app that will make android phones work with iphone docks and compatible stereos more power to you.
It would definitely involve reverse engineering closed source apple code.

[Q] Car stero suggestions.

Hi guys, I'm looking to upgrade the stereo head unit in my car and looking for one that best interfaces with my note in terms of both hands free calls and music streaming/control.
Does anyone have any suggestions for decent head units?
Which connection gives the best control Aux, Bluetooth or USB? (must be between BT and USB).
Would I get better control/dispaly from a SD card in the head?
Is there any head unit that will allow me to brows my music on the phone by artist/album etc, or am I stuck with folder browsing?
Will the car head unit display any details of the music being played, artist, track etc. or even album art?
I use player pro on the note for my music at the moment.
My requirements...
Blue-tooth Hands free calling and music streaming.
Remote Stalk Adapter available.
Front Aux Port.
Variable colour display if possible.
USB
SD Slot as a bonus.
1U preferable but can fit 2U if needs be.
Looking to spend up to around £300 ish.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

You should post this on a car stereo forum site, they will probably be more able to help

se1988 said:
You should post this on a car stereo forum site, they will probably be more able to help
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I appreciate that but am more interested if anyone has any specific experience with the note/android. Hence my post here

cliver said:
I appreciate that but am more interested if anyone has any specific experience with the note/android. Hence my post here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but also your requirements are from a stereo point of view rather than the note

Richy99 said:
but also your requirements are from a stereo point of view rather than the note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all, I'm looking for constructive replies from people who have some experience with using the note with car stereos. If someone has any relevant experience I'm sure they will help me. If not then nothing lost as far as I can see.

Try this and then let me know so i can buy one! But no.... It really looks promising, finally a company recognizes android needs integration like the piece if crap iPhone!
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

eroracing said:
Try this and then let me know so i can buy one! But no.... It really looks promising, finally a company recognizes android needs integration like the piece if crap iPhone!
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! that looks like the business. I really wanted a 1u head but that may change my mind. Looks like I can find one to have a look at tomorrow so I'll report back once I have had a play.
I have also found this on the Kenwood site.....
http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/cd_receivers/cd/KDC-BT92SD/
couldn't agree more on you iPhone comments

cliver said:
Wow! that looks like the business. I really wanted a 1u head but that may change my mind. Looks like I can find one to have a look at tomorrow so I'll report back once I have had a play.
I have also found this on the Kenwood site.....
http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/cd_receivers/cd/KDC-BT92SD/
couldn't agree more on you iPhone comments
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is the hunt?
I am using my note in the default head unit that came along with car (Ford Figo)
If you want to control the music from headunit, it better be bluetooth and not the Aux or USB.
If you use Aux, common sense says no control at all.
If you use USB, you can control the songs, but will not be able to answer or make calls with the car head unit.
Hence it is preferred only to use BT, that way the songs will get paused while you answer your calls and all the display is shared with your car audio headunit.
Hope this info helps.

Coolkriss said:
How is the hunt?
I am using my note in the default head unit that came along with car (Ford Figo)
If you want to control the music from headunit, it better be bluetooth and not the Aux or USB.
If you use Aux, common sense says no control at all.
If you use USB, you can control the songs, but will not be able to answer or make calls with the car head unit.
Hence it is preferred only to use BT, that way the songs will get paused while you answer your calls and all the display is shared with your car audio headunit.
Hope this info helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hunt ongoing but hoping to get a scent today.
Many thanks for the info,I wasn't aware of the limitations you describe. That's good to know.

For information I settled on the Kenwood KDC-BT92SD....
http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/cd_receivers/cd/KDC-BT92SD/
The Pioneer looked as though it would offer a bit more and better integration with android but personaly I prefer the looks of the Kenwood. I had a play with and settled for the Kenwood as it looks good and sounds great. It plays the music on my Notes sd card no problem. And, if you install their music control app it creates a file/database on the sd card so you can browse by Title, Artist, Album, Playlist etc.
The software is realy a music player app which scans your music and created the file for browsing on your Kenwood stereo. It's not a bad effort but a bit slow and lacks some features such as an equaliser. You can set it to play through your favourite player software though so may be worth a mess with.
All in all so far very happy

cliver said:
The Pioneer looked as though it would offer a bit more and better integration with android but personaly I prefer the looks of the Kenwood.
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Click to collapse
Really? I had a look through the app list and it was completely dominated by iOS apps. They have half a dozen integrated navigation apps for iOS, zero for android. Same with the music mixers etc. All for iOS. There's only the basic stuff offered for android phones.
Looks a poor, 2nd rate effort wrt android from Pioneer IMO.

As long as it makes the buyer happy ...
For me i only want to listen songs from my mobile.. I switch on the native player from my mobile and use the equalizers on mobile...
Only the output is pushed to the headunit..
Fortunately since it has BT i can jump between songs from the headunit without touching the phone...

biscuitlad said:
Really? I had a look through the app list and it was completely dominated by iOS apps. They have half a dozen integrated navigation apps for iOS, zero for android. Same with the music mixers etc. All for iOS. There's only the basic stuff offered for android phones.
Looks a poor, 2nd rate effort wrt android from Pioneer IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree it's not perefect but it'#s about the best there is for Android at the moment. At least it's a step in the right direction.
I agree with Coolkriss though, I only want handsfree and to be able to play my music from my phone. I have found the Kenwood does it pretty well both from the USB source and via BT.
My only quibble at the moment is that I can't find a way to stop it automatically switching to USB source when I plug the phone in. I often just want to charge it, connect to handsfree and carry on listening to the radio but it switches to USB as soon as I plug it in.

cliver said:
I agree it's not perefect but it'#s about the best there is for Android at the moment. At least it's a step in the right direction.
I agree with Coolkriss though, I only want handsfree and to be able to play my music from my phone. I have found the Kenwood does it pretty well both from the USB source and via BT.
My only quibble at the moment is that I can't find a way to stop it automatically switching to USB source when I plug the phone in. I often just want to charge it, connect to handsfree and carry on listening to the radio but it switches to USB as soon as I plug it in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest charging via the 12 v USB charger. That way the head unit only does the BT job.
If you still wish to plug it to head unit, try disabling or enabling the USB debug option under settings--> developer
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA

Coolkriss said:
I would suggest charging via the 12 v USB charger. That way the head unit only does the BT job.
If you still wish to plug it to head unit, try disabling or enabling the USB debug option under settings--> developer
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm experimenting with various connectivity options. Didn't think about disabling USB debug though. Thanks for the tip I'll try it

Kenwood DDX9902S Ordered

I ordered the Kenwood DDX9902S the other day, should arrived on the 28th and I will install on the weekend.
Going to install in my 2014 Mazda CX-5 Touring with Bose system.
I chose the DDX9902S over the DDX9702S because it's only $50 more and has 2 more bands of EQ and 2 years of warranty vs 1, and some other stuff.
I chose it over the Pioneer AVIC-4100NEX because it can do the screen mirroring and control the Phone from the touchscreen. (Though the damn Nexus 6 doesn't support video out damn it).
It is too bad the Kenwood only has 1 USB input though, and the Pioneer has TWO and also has an SD card slot. Does a USB hub work?
I'll have to do some creative wiring so I can swap out cables for card reader/etc if I want to view movies and such. The Kenwood can playback mkv files, didn't look up if the Pioneer can.
Ordered it from Crutchfield, $749 + $79 for the steering wheel control/wiring harness, free antenna and dash kit. Since it's so new, it's the same price elsewhere on the internet.
The Crutchfield Mastersheet is stupid. It only shows you how to take out factory audio unit and speakers, nothing about wiring at all. If buying stuff is cheaper elsewhere, do it.
Going to wire up my factory rear view camera to the Kenwood, from the Mazda forums, someone detailed how to do it. Got the items today and will get it prepared for next weekend to install by myself. I'll report back, I might also do a YouTube video since this unit is so new and no one has it.

What phone are u currently using???

cerobles1 said:
What phone are u currently using???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 6

nxt said:
it can do the screen mirroring and control the Phone from the touchscreen. (Though the damn Nexus 6 doesn't support video out damn it).
It is too bad the Kenwood only has 1 USB input though, and the Pioneer has TWO and also has an SD card slot. Does a USB hub work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you expect to mirror, instead of running Android Auto ?
Pioneer is limited in what it can do on each port. I think iPhone/iPod goes to port 2 while firmware updates and Android Auto are port 1.
In theory, anywhere a phone works, a phone plugged into a USB hub should work. But don't underestimate the need to get a quality hub and cables for reliable connections.
I have no idea if the Kenwood supports flash or other USB stuff besides a phone, and at the same time a phone is connected.

mikereidis said:
So you expect to mirror, instead of running Android Auto ?
Pioneer is limited in what it can do on each port. I think iPhone/iPod goes to port 2 while firmware updates and Android Auto are port 1.
In theory, anywhere a phone works, a phone plugged into a USB hub should work. But don't underestimate the need to get a quality hub and cables for reliable connections.
I have no idea if the Kenwood supports flash or other USB stuff besides a phone, and at the same time a phone is connected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I will use Android Auto but would like to check out the screen mirroring too, for apps that don't support Auto / 'appradio' yet.
I've downloaded the manual and the Kenwood does support movies and music on a USB flash drive, but no mention of hubs or simultaneously connected to phone.

I just installed the DDX9702s over the weekend. It's a pretty good unit, Android Auto works flawlessly with my Sony Z3, and the external GPS makes it super accurate. Kenwood's interface is so freaking ugly though
Android Auto is also incredibly finicky on my wife's OnePlus with CyanogenMod. I flashed to 12.1 nightlies hoping to resolve some of the issues but it's no better.
The iDatalink Maestro was also fun to install, it requires taping some wires on your ODBII port. My tip there is grab a right-angle generic ODBII to Serial cable on Amazon/Ebay for $10 then cut it up and splice it into the iDatalink Meastro harness. That way you can just plug it in rather than t-taping or hard-wiring the maestro cable to your car. You can also re-pin the ODBII port as well, but splicing an extra ODBII cable seemed like the best option if I ever want to go back to stock.

jonowar said:
Android Auto is also incredibly finicky on my wife's OnePlus with CyanogenMod. I flashed to 12.1 nightlies hoping to resolve some of the issues but it's no better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't start or what ? Sometimes enabling/disabling USB debugging can help with getting a phone connected.
I saw the news about 1+2 not having NFC. It appears NFC is required to trigger Android Auto over Wifi connections, so that could be an issue for the new 1+2.

mikereidis said:
Doesn't start or what ? Sometimes enabling/disabling USB debugging can help with getting a phone connected.
I saw the news about 1+2 not having NFC. It appears NFC is required to trigger Android Auto over Wifi connections, so that could be an issue for the new 1+2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, it won't start unless I "forget all cars" and go through the acceptance dance again then most of the time it freezes or just shows a blank black screen. I can't believe how much difference the Sony Z3 is, it works flawlessly every time.

jonowar said:
Yea, it won't start unless I "forget all cars" and go through the acceptance dance again then most of the time it freezes or just shows a blank black screen. I can't believe how much difference the Sony Z3 is, it works flawlessly every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It MIGHT be due to bad USB connections; maybe the USB port isn't tight.
Android Auto tends to freak out if USB isn't a perfect connection.

mikereidis said:
It MIGHT be due to bad USB connections; maybe the USB port isn't tight.
Android Auto tends to freak out if USB isn't a perfect connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the same cable for my Sony though, which means it's the port on the OPO which is only a few months old
I'll give it a shot with the official OPO cable just to make sure.
I guess it's time for USB C.

jonowar said:
I'm using the same cable for my Sony though, which means it's the port on the OPO which is only a few months old
I'll give it a shot with the official OPO cable just to make sure.
I guess it's time for USB C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not saying that it IS the port, just that it's a possibility.
I have about 15 test devices and I don't think any ports are bad, even after years of use.
I DO have cheap USB cables that are pretty bad though.
Trying other cables is the best idea I have, besides wiggling the cable a bit to see if Android Auto stops.

mikereidis said:
I'm not saying that it IS the port, just that it's a possibility.
I have about 15 test devices and I don't think any ports are bad, even after years of use.
I DO have cheap USB cables that are pretty bad though.
Trying other cables is the best idea I have, besides wiggling the cable a bit to see if Android Auto stops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, you were right! The OPO cable works perfectly! Thanks for the tip.

Have the same unit... Love it, look on the Kenwood website, there is a firmware upgrade for our units

Frankenberrie said:
Have the same unit... Love it, look on the Kenwood website, there is a firmware upgrade for our units
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! thanks for the heads up, 100mb.
It says to do a reset after, is that necessary, kenwood has a ton of settings.

nxt, been eagerly waiting for your DDX9902S in depth review. Did I miss it? If so, please point me in the right direction. If not, I'd love to hear your thoughts now that you've been using it for a few months, especially if you've had a chance to compare it to the 4100NEX and from an Android perspective (mirroring vs Auto). Thanks

Frankenberrie said:
Have the same unit... Love it, look on the Kenwood website, there is a firmware upgrade for our units
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
senseimike said:
nxt, been eagerly waiting for your DDX9902S in depth review. Did I miss it? If so, please point me in the right direction. If not, I'd love to hear your thoughts now that you've been using it for a few months, especially if you've had a chance to compare it to the 4100NEX and from an Android perspective (mirroring vs Auto). Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote a pretty long review on Crutchfield but ran out of space. I ended up not making a video review because... it's not that great.
Just like any head unit, the regular UI for radio/settings/menus/audio/etc is ugly.
Anyways, here's some info going from the HU itself then Android Auto.
The Kenwood only has 1 USB. It charges your phone very very slowly, but it can charge it to 100% if you keep it connected long enough even while using Android Auto. (I do 6-7hour drives every other weekend).
1 USB, so 1 USB device connected and that's it. The Pioneers have a dedicated SD card slot, you can store music on it and leave it in there forever.
Putting about 64GB of music on a USB 3.0 Flash drive, the Kenwood took a very long time to get complete ID3 tags. So I'm forced to listen to Adele when it starts up, or manually choosing another folder before I can shuffle ALL songs.
The Kenwood supports various file formats, it can even play video files! Too bad all the .MKV files I have, no audio is decoded.
Bluetooth audio. Very little lag, steering wheel control to skip tracks almost instantly changes the tracks. My stock HU there was 2-3 second delay. ID3 tags show up properly. I primarily use Google Play Music app. I mostly use Android Auto mode when using to music though.
Bluetooth Phone. Works fine, I have a 2014 Mazda CX-5, I put the microphone where the stock microphone was. People can hear me perfectly. Android Auto voice commands have no issues hearing me either.
I have a Nexus 6 and when it was on 5.x.x, the Bluetooth Phonebook on the headunit would be SCREWED UP. No names, and just a ton of phone numbers. I installed Android 6.0 that was released a few days ago and Contacts information show up perfectly.
The Kenwood's backup camera input works really well. I can turn on the car and as the Kenwood is still booting up, if I put the car in reverse, the backup camera would be displayed! I'm pretty surprised with this and love it. The Kenwood takes a while to boot up.
The Kenwood, like most high end HUs have a TON of audio settings. I'm no car stereo buff so I mostly leave everything at default since I don't know half of what the settings mean. Each audio input has it's own audio setting which is great. My car has the factory Bose system and it sounds even better with the Kenwood.
The Kenwood has built in iHeartRadio/Pandora/Aupeo! "apps" that's supposed to work with your phone. It's junk, I've given up trying to make that work and just do regular Bluetooth Streaming.
Kenwood also has a SmartPhone control mode where if you can get your phone to video output into the Kenwood's HDMI or AV input, you can load the Kenwood App, and control your phone from the Kenwood's touchscreen, so you can use Waze or other apps directly. The app sucks and doesn't get my touches correctly. Don't rely on it, it's not reliable.
So yeah it has 1 HDMI input you can use with your iPhone using video adapter, or Android or whatever else.
It has DVD slot for movies/audio cds, I've never used it.
HD Radio. The radio interface really sucks, but it works. The way to change an HD station from HD1 to HD2 is really dumb and annoying. it has 3 different "seek" modes when you press the >> or << button. Seek1 auto scans to the next station that it can grab. Seek2 is manual seek. Then there's Auto where it changes to your next Preset.
Then there's the CHup and CHdown buttons. So if you're locked into an HD station and you want to change to HD2 you press the CHup or CHdown button, but that only works if you're in Seek2 (or maybe Seek1, I forgot), if you're not, all it does is the same as >> or <<. It makes no sense because CHup and CHdown acts EXACTLY like the >> and << buttons.
I have a ZuneHD with a special car aux box for it, I use it in AV1, works and sounds fine but when I put it into video mode I get a lot of interference. Not sure if it's the Kenwood or my aux box for it.
The Kenwood's video controls suck too. It's just hard to adjust and get proper color/brightness/etc.
At night, it's too bright, and lowering Brightness and "Blackness" levels, it gets hard to see/read the screen. So to make things clearly readable, screen has to be a little bright. There is a way to set holding Menu button and the screen will turn off until you press screen or a button.
OK Android Auto, I won't talk about Android Auto itself, there's many reviews and videos about it. I'll talk about how well it works with the Kenwood.
When it works it's great, but it's a coin toss if it'll work great on this drive, or the next.
Plug in USB cable to the phone and you're prompted to press OK on a warning screen on the Kenwood. The Apps icon turns into Android Auto.
Again, when it works, it works. Here's when it doesn't:
On my road trips, I would get into car, search the destination, and start navigation.
About 5 minutes later, Android Auto on the Kenwood would shut off and you're taken back to the main menu and the Apps icon return. Phone's Android Auto app is shutdown. There's no way to relaunch Android Auto without unplugging the USB and plugging it back in. On my last road trip, I did this about 4-5 times, then I decided to start Play Music while navigating, then it worked and had no issues. On my drive home, I started music right away with navigation and it still shutdown every few minutes. Unplugging and plugging back a few more times then it worked with no issues. It's completely random.
On my drive to work and back home, I drive through some low cell signal areas. When my phone looses signal and then catches signal back, Android Auto's screen would BLINK. Navigation wouldn't stop, music wouldn't stop, the screen would just BLINK. It's distracting.
Phone calls go through Bluetooth still, but it works well from the Android Auto screen. I'm sort of impressed how it works.
It's possible to listen to another audio source (HD Radio, CD, etc) while in Android Auto navigation, just press menu button, pick your source, then go back to Android Auto.
Android Auto I believe needs a lot of work. It's still in its infancy and the missing features and odd limitations Google has with it frustrates and confuses me.
Kenwood released a firmware update 9/17/2015.
Changelog is: Changed the specification of Volume function. Improved stability.
I hadn't noticed any improved stability.
That's all for now. Ask your questions and I'll try to answer them.

About Mirroring vs. Android Auto.
My Nexus 6 unfortunately does not support video out. I'm pretty pissed. The new Nexus 6P won't either, damn it Google!
So what I did to test was to hook up a Chromecast to the Kenwood's HDMI input.
Then I would set up my phone to be a hotspot, the Chromecast would connect to it, then I was Cast my Phone's screen to the Chromecast. Totally going in a circle LOL. (This will eat up your cell data FYI).
But it does work and my screen shows up on the Kenwood's screen.
The issue is the Kenwood's SmartPhone Control app like I mentioned in the above post.
It does not sync up properly so my touches on the Kenwood's screen, does not touch the right area of my Phone's screen.

I've never used the Pioneer 4100 so unfortunately I can't compare.
I believe that having TWO USB ports on the Pioneer and a dedicated SD card slot is BIG!
It's so annoying swapping out my Phone with a USB Flash drive.
If I were to do it again, I would probably get the Pioneer because of the TWO USB and SD card slot.
I chose the Kenwood because of the higher audio capability (EQ) and the App Mirroring (which sucks now that I've tried it), also it was cheaper than the comparable Pioneer high end model.

Hello, I ordered a DDX9702S and installed it in my '09 Civic Si. I've got a Nexus 6P and have been experiencing odd audio glitches, and I was wondering if you could test something for me.
When I play music, everything is fine until I get an audible notification or use the Voice Search. After that there is an audible buzzing/frying noise in the tweeters of my stereo when a bassy note hits. Once the noise starts, it doesn't stop until I reboot my head unit. Could you see if you have the same problem? I don't know whether it's Android Auto in general, my Kenwood stereo, or what. I've also reproduced the issue with 2 other Nexus 6P's and a Nexus 5, so I know it's not just my phone or model. I know yours is a different model, but it's worth a try to see if it's just me.
Steps to reproduce:
App to use:
Either Google Play Music All Access or Spotify
Song to use:
Rearrange by Vérité - the beginning of the song is quiet with a bassy beat, making it easy to spot the distortion / static.
Steps:
Turn on the head unit and plug in your phone (I used a Nexus 6P and a Nexus 5)
Once Android Auto is running, go to your music app and play Rearrange by Vérité. I find its easier to play the song if you add it to a playlist titled "1" (without the quotes) first, so it's at the top of your playlists.
You'll notice that the beginning of the song is quiet with a bassy beat. After about 10 seconds, hit the microphone in the top right of the screen to activate the Google Now Voice feature. Once it gives an audible beep, hit the microphone button again to cancel.
Hit back on the screen to start the song over. At this point, on my stereo, every bassy beat is accompanied by a static in the tweeters of my stereo. This happens on every song I play, even the radio, but it's much easier to hear on quiet songs like the one I gave as a suggestion to test with.
The static continues even if you disconnect/reconnect the phone. The only think that stops it is restarting the head unit by turning it off and back on. If you use Google Now again or a notification comes in and makes an audible sound, the static will come back. It seems, to me, that any notifications or audio playback from an Android device will cause the head unit to distort the sound until the head unit is rebooted. If nothing happens to cause the distortion, sound quality is stellar.
Hope you're able to test this, and thanks in advance!

DDX9702S
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

Android Auto headunit vs just tablet?

Hello all, I had a Son XAV-601BT, which was supposed to be a very promising and awesome android headunit, but ended up being a dud because mirrorlink doesn't work well, etc, I can only connect my phone with bluetooth and play music through it. I just got a Nissan Titan and want to up my in car experience. I had a good bit of audio equipment I took out of my old 240sx and was going to reuse it, which included the 601BT, 2 kicker amps (one for the sub, another 4 channel for speakers), and polk audio speakers, but the headunit is basically.. meh.
I was wondering what would be the ideal route to go to get the best experience. I know they have head units that have all the android auto stuff built in, but since I already have a nice amp I can use to drive the speakers, would I be better off just using a tablet and getting things connected up that way? I would like to be able to utilize good quality voice for commands and phone calls, but I am not sure if using a tablet for that would work (using the phones capabilities through the tablet to make calls and texts via bluetooth or some other way.)
If anyone has any recommendations on how I can have a nice sized mounted capacitive screen to control my audio (spotify), navigation, and be able to use voice commands (though I could technically just make them through my watch as I have been), I would love to hear some suggestions. If the best route to go would be an actual android auto headunit, then so be it, but I would like to know if alternatives can do this.

See my sig for Headunit app for Android Auto. Nexus tablets are working well with it.
Tablet solution likely takes some time to get it the way you want it, but it makes it very customizable and can be done cheaply-ish.
There are 2 popular lines of $300 Chinese HUs discussed on XDA. They are best described as... the Chinese stuff you find on EBay/Alibaba etc. Source is available but the latest Newsmy is still stuck on Android 4.4.
Or for $500-2k get a Pioneer or Kenwood Android Auto 4100/6100/7100NEX. There's a custom ROM just come out for some Pioneers, but it will take time to mature.

Awesome, thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I was looking in to some of the interesting setups people have, such as using an Arduino with an IR transmitter that you connect to the tablet, so you can use a standard smaller headunit, hide it in the dash to connect to the speakers and control the volume, and the tablet can be mounted nice, and when you hit the volume etc on the tablet it makes the Arduino blast the IR to the head unit, and it makes the volume go up as if you pressed the button (or in this case, the remote)
That might work well with a head unit app or something similar. I will download the APK's you linked and check them out!

DIY Samsung tablet car system vs dedicated AA touchscreen head unit

Just bought a used 2007 Toyota Solara SLE convertible (with JBL 7 speaker system), and looking to replace stereo. I've read up on here and elsewhere about some of this, but still have some Q's before moving forward.
Main needs:
Spotify (strongly prefer NOT to use bluetooth due to audio compression)
GPS (The larger the screen, the better for this)
Theft-resistant (Either looks not worth stealing, has removable face without wearing out connectors, is built-in and looks hard to steal, etc)
I'll drill down on the details in a bit, but I'd like a little perspective first on reasons why it would matter if I go with a dedicated head unit, or possibly get the fiddly bits and hook them up myself to do something like a slide-mounted Samsung tablet that I can easily pop in and out.
1) Is there some reason in general why one path is better than the other?
2) If I go DIY route, I've been reading up that Android Auto is not available for tablets without data (wifi only versions). Can't tell if that info is outdated, or still true. I see a few mentions of 3rd party workarounds, but not much info on how they are working.
3) I'd really prefer a larger readout as I use GPS heavily on a regular basis. The detachable ones I see for 10.1 screens from Joying, etc look to have connectors NOT designed for daily plug/unplug. Do these hold up?
4) Is it better for theftproofing to have a removable face, or something smaller that fits in the double din and looks harder to steal?
5) If I do the DIY route, does the audio come out of the tablet via usb and need a d/a, or out of the phones jack?
5) There seems to be info out there for DIY to get the steering controls working, car info like tire pressure, temp, etc. If I then already have the amp, and can work out the audio, and get info to and from via bluetooth with my phone or using my phone as hotspot, that's all bases covered, right? Is there anything I'm missing that CAN'T be done this way and would be better off just getting head unit?
6) Are the dedicated head units less updatable or anything like that than something like a samsung tablet?
7) Is there an issue with my 7 speaker system? Haven't checked, but I'm under the impression from some conversations I've had that there's a 7 speaker dedicated amp currently in place (not part of existing head unit). I read something about certain versions of AA not supporting subs. Not sure what that means. If I'm replacing head unit with full DIY rig, can't I just sent audio to the amp, and it splits from there, or does processing and separate out for sub need to somehow happen prior to the amp?
FYI: Asking in part because I'm thinking about getting a tablet anyway, and might as well have dual use if possible. Also, I'm considering idea also of leaving the stock stereo as is (has BT for voice, but not audio streaming), and rigging a detachable dock for tablet that then feeds audio via the aux input. I guess if I go this third route, I'd store music on it locally, and use it's wifi with my android phone as mobile hotspot to get new tracks, access map data, etc.
Thoughts on why one path is better?

Too many q's?
Available info in another thread? (I've searched and read all I could find)
Better in another subforum? (Connected car maybe?)

Thank you for the questions it is helping me do more research.
If any one can answer part of a question please chime in.

1. Android tablets (Samsung, LG) over Chinese (KLYDE, Joying, etc) units:
- better screen - even an old Galaxy Tab3 has a screen 10x better than any chinese in-car unit.
- cleaner Android implementations - chinese units suffer from poor system implementation that generates lots o0f issues with Bluetooth audio quality, OBDII pairing, WiFi and 3G/4G compatibility
- software upgradable - again, my Samsung Galaxy Tab3 from 2013 runs Nougat. My Klyde in-car unit runs Lollipop
- better RAM, usually
- more flexible in implementation
Chinese (KLYDE, Joying, etc) units over Android tablets (Samsung, LG):
-easier to install
-FM radio
-some level of integration with the car's systems
2. Since version 2.1 Android Auto is a standalone app so it will run on WiFi only units
3. No idea. But if I were to take the DIY road, instead of removing the tablet I'd have a fake panel to cover the screen, with the front part of a cheap stereo.
4. It depends on your preferences. Audio will be much better if run through an external d/a converter but you can start with getting the signal from the headphone jack and add a converter later.

Probably 2 main differences:
Android tablet wont have good amplifier. Not so good sound, you must install many apps from yourself (this is good and bad), no radio probably or bad radio. You must also connect an antenna for the radio if the tablet has one.
You must also do some modding by yourself, connection for power etc. Probably use tasker for some things, search in youtube and other places for suitable script. Xposed, app settings will help for making many apps more car like.
Search for car launcher etc.
I am writing this as i have installed in past, not tablet but mobile phone (an old galaxy s2) in a Fiat punto. So i have done those im Writting for.
If you give time and efford at the end it could be better the result compaired with a dedicated one.
The dedicated one has the benefit of don't search at all. Just install, plug and play. Probably better sound.
If it has android, you can make many things with this. Probably most as the tablet i wrote before.
If it only has android auto you can do only basic things..
Sent from my SM-G9350 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Ok, I had both approaches with 2 different chinese units and one Zenpad.
- 1st Chinese unit, piece of .... so I almost smashed it with a hammer in a fury rage, so got it sold after 3 month, conclusion stay away from XTRONS!
-2nd I had a Zenpad built into my dash, lucky enough for me my dash was big enough to easily fit in an 8" tablet. I bought a mechless Sony car radio, which is much smaller than a normal unit and I hid it behind the tablet, steering wheel remote control still worked, so I could control the radio from the steering wheel, but never needed anything else than adjusting the volume. I did not use FM radio at all. See attached picture. This has a few potential problems, most probably you won't be able to charge the device & use the usb port at the same time, you will need a custom kernel for that or a USB-C tablet. Also its much more difficult to fit it in properly, when the system freeze or crash and you need to hard reset it, it can be painful, however overall I was very pleased with my setup. Since you cannot use the tablet for the bluetooth hands free I still needed to use a Himbox HB001. TIP: The install was done with the help of a 6mm acrylic sheet, which I cut to size using a jigsaw.
-3rd changed the car and couldn't do the same thing in the new car so I bit the bullet and bought another chinese unit, this time I went to an Intel based one. So far so good, I have only done about 1000 miles with it but it looks to work OK, boot up is really quick, bluetooth A2DP quality is good (not like the crap XTRONS), handsfree quality seems decent, but I need more feedback from others on this, I hear them clearly the question is how good they can hear me, so I can recommend the unit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301955449854
And now to the Android Auto question, they run on all of them, just use my app: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...ndroid-4-1-headunit-reloaded-android-t3432348