Hi all,
Anyone know anything about how exactly do the head units communicate with the head units?
AA doesn't have keyboard control in the standalone version, and I'd like to see how the keyboard control works in the headunit version, to see if I can replicate similar functionality.
Any other info on AA hardware is also welcome.
Have a look at https://github.com/mikereidis/headunit
Its an open source implementation of the AA headunit part
Related
I'm thinking it may be possible to make an app that mirrors what is shown on the phone screen to the car headunit by emulating the Android Auto communication protocol. Touches on the headunit screen could be transmitted back to the phone for interaction with the apps. Most of what Android Auto does is screen display over USB and some touchscreen interaction with the user so it may not be hard to get some of the features.
Does this already exist? If not, do we know if anyone is working on this?
Yes, this is possible.
I am not aware of anyone planning to do this. Google would surely ban an app on Play that does this, as they did with my AA Headunit app. So, along with IMO little demand for this, there is little financial incentive to do this.
I've considered doing this myself, but I'm concentrating on my Headunit app at this time.
Most people with Android Auto compatible HUs will IMO want to use AA (or Apple Carplay if iPhone), rather than mirroring over AA protocol. If they want true mirroring, there are open protocols for this.
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
I think devs may be more friendly to using open mirroring protocols, rather than using a secret, undocumented protocol that will get the apps booted from Google Play.
mikereidis said:
(One exception might be for cars with factory AA compatible HUs, if those HUs do not support mirroring.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is specifically what I'm thinking about. Maybe I want to look up yelp reviews, watch a youtube video, or browse the web on my car headunit while parked when the headunit does not specifically support streaming other than android auto. There is some added value to having a car with an android auto capable headunit if there is a way to do things not supported by google/the car manufacturers.
If the protocol is simple enough, this may be possible with a rooted device. Since it sounds like android auto is pretty much video/audio streaming over USB, this may not be hard to do.
How a developer can get money doing this is another question. This certainly would be something you could not sell in the play store. I'd certainly donate for a good app but I know that is a difficult way to make money unless you have a large audience.
communication between Auto and phone
Is anyone still working this?
I am interested in knowing how the communications between Android Auto and phone is? Communications seems complete gibberish. Are they using any particular Android protocol for communication?
Hi, I am looking to buy a new double-din head unit for my car. I was wondering what the best way to mirror my s6 edge to my car and basically controlling the phone through the head unit using touchscreen? i want to be able to use google maps on my head unit. Should I be looking for a head unit that is mirrorlink ready or am i looking for a head unit that is compatible with chromecast (Pioneer's appradio from what i've read)?
Welcome @hackaveli, you may want to take a look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451980
There aren't going to be many options to control too much of the phone via the head unit, unless you're talking just using BT to control synced things like the phone, and streaming radio. AppRadio aside - if you do find android-based head units, or at least head units with app capability, that are wifi capable, and if you have a hotspot feature on your phone, you could do that, tether the head unit to your phone to access the data for your Google Maps and whatnot.
All that aside, I had a 3-series that I put exactly that kind of aftermarket head unit into. And after the initial play factor wore off in a month, I used exactly one of the fancy options on the head unit - Pandora. I would tether my phone, and start the app. And that would've been just as easy to bluetooth the phone to the HU for sound instead of running it from the unit itself. I just found that it was much easier to just do maps on my phone (my mount was vent-mounted so perfect viewing angle and reach), as well as any other things that I THOUGHT I wanted all those goodies on the head unit for. So obviously your mileage may vary on that.
Hi all,
First: I used the search function, but I couldn't find a solution. So if there is one, just post the link to the topic.
And now my problem/idea: I have car that comes with a radio which supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Unfrotunately, it doesn't support DAB+. I was looking now for a solution to add DAB+ without any additional (visible) screen or remote control. There are some but they mostly are not really working properly.
So I had the idea to add DAB+ by Android Auto. Is there some hardware to do that (if possible without pressing 10 buttons every time I turn on the car/radio)?
Theoretical it should be:
- a USB-dongle (also powered by this)
- on which a Android system is running
- which starts DAB automaticaly
- has the hardware to receive DAB+ signals
- just have to be plugged into the USB-Port of the car
Is there something like that? If not, is it possible of did I forget something which prohibits this idea? How could this be built and what would be needed?
Thanks for your ideas/links/whatever...
PlatinCH
PlatinCH said:
Hi all,
First: I used the search function, but I couldn't find a solution. So if there is one, just post the link to the topic.
And now my problem/idea: I have car that comes with a radio which supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Unfrotunately, it doesn't support DAB+. I was looking now for a solution to add DAB+ without any additional (visible) screen or remote control. There are some but they mostly are not really working properly.
So I had the idea to add DAB+ by Android Auto. Is there some hardware to do that (if possible without pressing 10 buttons every time I turn on the car/radio)?
Theoretical it should be:
- a USB-dongle (also powered by this)
- on which a Android system is running
- which starts DAB automaticaly
- has the hardware to receive DAB+ signals
- just have to be plugged into the USB-Port of the car
Is there something like that? If not, is it possible of did I forget something which prohibits this idea? How could this be built and what would be needed?
Thanks for your ideas/links/whatever...
PlatinCH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A late but working solution...
USB-Stick (working fine with Android)
Thread for working software for this device. --> latest greatest one
Hi Rigattoni,
Thank you for your reply.
If I understand it correct, the stick is only the DAB-receiver and not the "head unit" on which the android system is running? Or can I make Android running directly on this stick?
guys, out of curiosity: what actual alternatives do we have now in mid 2017 to the PX3/5, T3, R16 or Intel Sofia based units from the far east?
must be 2DIN, be able to run Waze and/or Sygic and integrate 100% with canbus i'm not too picky am i?
thx!
No-one will integrate 100% with canbus.
Every car maker has their own way of implementing communication over the can bus and some change it even between models.
Apart from the canbus, any 2-Din unit with Android Auto support can run the Waze beta off your phone for you right now.
leonkernan said:
No-one will integrate 100% with canbus.
Every car maker has their own way of implementing communication over the can bus and some change it even between models.
Apart from the canbus, any 2-Din unit with Android Auto support can run the Waze beta off your phone for you right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's exactly what i'm trying to avoid: having to use the phone & stupid mirroring, i want it native on the 2DIN unit, period.
and what i mean by canbus integration is for MFSW to work properly, not necessarily to display info in the dash. So let's say at least to the level that the chinese units integrate...
I am thinking about replacing my car stereo with an android head unit.
I have been reading the forum but do have some open questions:
1. How good are these head units?
2. Most head units seem to run older versions of android so I am concerned that the playstore and apps are not going to be supported for much longer. Which headunits are somewhat modern (good specs) with good developer support. I assume there are no treble supported headunits yet?
3. My primary use case for an android headunit are:
- listen to podcasts (PocketCasts?)
- GPS navigations (Google Maps or Waze)
- see my reverse camera when backing up
- listen to music (Pandora, Spotify, youtube, or stored music)
- listen to the radio (probably nice to have)
4. I am planning to get a dashcam and I saw that some headunits integrate with dashcam + reversing camera
5. Would be nice to be able to use a Bluetooth or something remote on the steering wheel. Ideally something discreet/small that can be glued to the back of the steering wheel ...
6. I am not planning to install a separate SIM card in the head unit (thanks ridiculous carrier prices in the US). How successful have people been getting their headunit to rely on Wifi at home and tethering to the phone when driving.
7. I saw some threads about headunits "sleeping" when the car is off - I drive an electric car, so I definitely want the unit to be OFF when the car is off. Don't care if it takes 10-30 seconds to boot.
8. Any recommendations for single DIN headunits that match the above requirements/use case? Don't need or want a gigantic screen and certainly do not want a motorized screen ... there seem to be some nice headunits where a 7" screen is mounted to a single DIN unit and the screen can be moved up and down depending on where you need it in the car.
You are actually considering an Android head unit, not Android Auto.
This is Android Auto:
https://www.android.com/auto/
Android headunits have several dedicated sections here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/android-head-units
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/mtcb-android-head-units-qa - for older units running Android 4.4 or 5.1
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android-auto/mtcd-discussion-questions-development - for newer units
Since you do not seem familiar with Android headunits and their specifics I strongly advise against gambling on Chinese units. Getting an Android Auto/Car Play compatible unit from an established manufacturer (the Sony XAV AX-100 seems pretty popular) would be a much safer option at similar price.