Hello everyone,
I'd love to have a display to which I could connect my Android phone (via Android Auto) in a similar way like I can do in my Seat Ibiza, just so I could have Android Auto on a big(ger) screen on any car I'm driving (parents, brother, friends, work).
I've done some googleing, but couldn't find a successful project (there's one person who said it was quite unstable), so I came here to get confirmation for either side.
I appreciate your answers! Thanks a lot in advance!
You can install Android Auto app on your Android Head Unit, but you get the problem when you try to call. The app thinks that the radio is the phone, and does not recognizes it as a handsfree. If somebody could tweak it, it would be wonderful.
Related
Is there any way to get mirrorlink working on the Nexus 6?
Not sure what mirrorlink is. Do you mean Miracast? If so, I don't believe it works. Chromecast works great for screen mirroring your Nexus 6 to a HDTV.
Found this searching for compatibility... One application for MirrorLink for those that didn't know is Pioneer head units like the AppRadio so you can mirror your phone's screen onto it...
any luck?
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
My understanding....
spillytime said:
Is MIrrorlink compatible with the nexus 6? If so, anybody know how to enable it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have been told neither Mirrorlink nor AppRadio are compatible with Lollipop in general and the nexus 6 specifically. Your only option at this point is Android Auto which works well if you have the supporting HU from Pioneer. However, at this time, not many developers have made their applications compatible with it. When the 2016 car models start rolling out with AA preinstalled in their HU, then I believe we will see a flood of apps moving into the platform.
Google needs to start supporting MirrorLink on Nexus phones. I have a Nexus 6 and the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX.
Android Auto has been a horrible experience so far. It worked at first, for a couple of months, and then I don't know why (Android update maybe?) but suddenly it stopped working and hasn't worked since.
Even when it did work, there were some VERY annoying things:
1) if your phone is plugged into the USB cable, Android Auto launches, and as long as you're still plugged in I couldn't find any way to temporarily get out of Android Auto (such as if I want to check my email or some other app on the phone). Or if I want to listen to a YouTube video (or watch it from my phone, lets say I'm the passenger ok?), then I'd have to un-plug the USB which means my phone isn't charging.
2) The other really annoying thing is that Android Auto limits developers in how many screen clicks user would need to do to get to content (including, clicking the down arrow to browse through a long list). Where this is a problem for me for example, is my Spotify playlists. Android Auto will only display about 10 or so of my playlists.
So I find myself disconnecting the phone from the cable and just streaming over bluetooth.
In fact at first I was really upset that my phone was no longer launching Android Auto at all and stopped working with my Pioneer AVH-4100NEX, but now that I am just able to leave the phone charging all the time and have full access to my phone apps, all my spotify playlists, and am just streaming over bluetooth I'm not really sure I want to fix Android Auto.
What I really want at this point is to just MIRROR my phone screen to my head unit. This way no matter what I want to watch or listen to, it doesn't matter if "Android Auto" supports it or not. I can put on YouTube videos, or anything I want.
So this gets me back to Mirror Link, I don't know why Google or Motorola is not supporting it, MirrorLink from what I've seen should be another viable option for Android users (and for now I think a better option than Android Auto)
I'll be posting this reply as a separate topic as well, here and in Google's forums because it needs some attention.
Thanks
Ill repost this here as well
You have to take into account the many laws in different places concerning cell phones and driving. In some places you can get a ticket just for having your phone in your hand while driving. And now they are cracking down even harder on it. Also some OEM have been known to block some cars from working with devices like that. It was found that one samsung device had a list built into the OS that blocked a number of different cars from working with Android Auto. This I can only assume came from the Car manufacturer.
If I had a nickel for all the distracted drivers around me, well, I'd have a lot of nickels!
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!
Hello iam from the Netherlands and new on this forum.
Looking for somebody who like to help me with a problem. I bought one week ago an Android radio navigatie carkit 6,2 inch A9 cortex processor QUAD CORE 1.6 Ghz - wifi -android 5.1.1 Lollipop - 16GB
w-ww.caraudioexpert.nl/nissan-qashqai-juke-note-radio-navigatie-carkit-quadcore-wifi-android-5.1
MTCD_KGL_V1.92a_2 Oct 13 2016 10:49:02 Android-versie? 5.1.1 Kernel-versie? 3.0.101
I would like to know if this system is good enough to install Android Auto?
Because in the Netherlands playstore is not supporting Android Auto. I can not install this offcially. Any one who like to help me with an working APK file? Because what I downloaded is not working?
Looking forward to get some help
Oxalex said:
Hello iam from the Netherlands and new on this forum.
Looking for somebody who like to help me with a problem. I bought one week ago an Android radio navigatie carkit 6,2 inch A9 cortex processor QUAD CORE 1.6 Ghz - wifi -android 5.1.1 Lollipop - 16GB
w-ww.caraudioexpert.nl/nissan-qashqai-juke-note-radio-navigatie-carkit-quadcore-wifi-android-5.1
MTCD_KGL_V1.92a_2 Oct 13 2016 10:49:02 Android-versie? 5.1.1 Kernel-versie? 3.0.101
I would like to know if this system is good enough to install Android Auto?
Because in the Netherlands playstore is not supporting Android Auto. I can not install this offcially. Any one who like to help me with an working APK file? Because what I downloaded is not working?
Looking forward to get some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto will not work on your headunit.
However, you CAN use Android Auto the way it is supposed to work: install it on your phone and connect the phone to the unit using Easy Connect.
Thanks
m00n61 said:
Android Auto will not work on your headunit.
However, you CAN use Android Auto the way it is supposed to work: install it on your phone and connect the phone to the unit using Easy Connect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I bought the right headunit? Because i thought this unit is self supporting.
Do you have a link or right APK file of Android Auto because i cannot find a official version?
Oxalex said:
Did I bought the right headunit? Because i thought this unit is self supporting.
Do you have a link or right APK file of Android Auto because i cannot find a official version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto is not meant to be run on the head unit. ANY head unit. It always runs on the phone.
You can download it from here:
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-2-0-6427-release/
Make sure you get the right version for your processor
Looking for a good handsfree solution
m00n61 said:
Android Auto is not meant to be run on the head unit. ANY head unit. It always runs on the phone.
You can download it from here:
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-2-0-6427-release/
Make sure you get the right version for your processor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got this app installed as working version. Thanks I thougt Android Auto will be the perfect solution between my Headunit and Asus Dual sim Zenfone Z00AD
My experience is that Android Auto is not nice to work with I found out. Searching contacts is not good working aswell voice control. It is also not posible to control more phone apps.
Does i do something wrong?
I am looking for a good handsfree solution so i cann easily use de apps and functions on my phone with the head unit I bought.
Is there maybe a list with "Best car apps". So i can setup the best and safest way to drive my car and control my mobile phone on a friendly way?
Looking forward for some help
Oxalex said:
I got this app installed as working version. Thanks I thougt Android Auto will be the perfect solution between my Headunit and Asus Dual sim Zenfone Z00AD
My experience is that Android Auto is not nice to work with I found out. Searching contacts is not good working aswell voice control. It is also not posible to control more phone apps.
Does i do something wrong?
I am looking for a good handsfree solution so i cann easily use de apps and functions on my phone with the head unit I bought.
Is there maybe a list with "Best car apps". So i can setup the best and safest way to drive my car and control my mobile phone on a friendly way?
Looking forward for some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy Connect is the best solution for mirroring your phone and it's included by default in factory ROMs.
m00n61 said:
Easy Connect is the best solution for mirroring your phone and it's included by default in factory ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer.
But this is not easy to connect with.
When I get in the car, I activate first my phone Bluetooth and Hotspot and the Unit headset. Then every time he is asking for a USB connection? This setup takes long!
After he is making connection I have an Mirror and I can take out the USB and it's working. When I leave the car and i come back I have to do the setup again? This is not handy for short driving.
Other quistion; With mirroring only headup is possible and no landscape, so everything is smaller then on the phone and when you drive this is also not save to use.
Some body who can help me further?
Hi to all,
I use Android Auto on my phone everyday. I have an old car and I would like to have a head unit that support Android auto so I only have to connect my phone, but besides the comercial ones from Pioneers and the such, the Android units like Xtron, Ownice,etc has the capability?
I have read a lot, but there is no definite answer.
Thanks in advance
ezmendriz said:
Hi to all,
I use Android Auto on my phone everyday. I have an old car and I would like to have a head unit that support Android auto so I only have to connect my phone, but besides the comercial ones from Pioneers and the such, the Android units like Xtron, Ownice,etc has the capability?
I have read a lot, but there is no definite answer.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can DIY with this https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...elease-openauto-source-androidautotm-t3748563
Yes I can, but I am not the only one using the car. I want to maintain the radio functionality and integration. That is why I prefer to replace the headunit for something better that supports androidauto when I use the car.
ezmendriz said:
Yes I can, but I am not the only one using the car. I want to maintain the radio functionality and integration. That is why I prefer to replace the headunit for something better that supports androidauto when I use the car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The MTCD headunits can run the Headunit Reloaded app which enables Android Auto..
leonkernan said:
The MTCD headunits can run the Headunit Reloaded app which enables Android Auto..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you already have a pure android HU, what is the point of android auto? AA only makes sense on OEM or non-android-based HUs. It's very limited, unless you hack it to run AAmirror.
Hisma said:
if you already have a pure android HU, what is the point of android auto? AA only makes sense on OEM or non-android-based HUs. It's very limited, unless you hack it to run AAmirror.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is easier just to enter the car and connect a cable to obtain the integration over the same unit and configuration like calendar, contact and messages. AndroidAuto give me all that I need in a day to day.
Evidently, these units need internet in order to give must of its features, the options are to give internet to the unit somehow with the same phone with the hotspot or cable. Obviously the easier is to it have its own sim card, but that will means another line that will be underused.
Hi,
I have a 2015 Audi A3, which unfortunately didn't come with AA as an option (I think it was introduced in 2017). It's a real pain to install the 2017 MMI into an older car, but there are guys out there developing aftermarket Android-based headunits that basically put a whole android "phone" in the dash; which isn't a very eloquent solution and kind of overkill in my opinion. They've got their own SIM cards and you have to change the bluetooth devices the phone is paired to and whatnot. It's really not exactly what I'm looking for. I just want AA and that's it.
Anyway there's one guy who's kind of got what I'm looking for . Unfortunately because the car also didn't come with a touchscreen, I have to toggle through the menus with the knobs and steering wheel buttons, which is meh. I'd love to put a digitizer overlay on the screen and play around with it, maybe have a daughter board made up and inject the screen coordinates into the packets somehow before it's sent down to the phone. I'm more of an EE, don't really have a lot of Android dev experience but I've got a lot of microcontroller and firmware experience. Anyway that's my high level idea of how this might work, not sure if I'm going in the right direction. I did ask the guy at RSNAV (seems to be a one-man show) last night if I might have the source code after signing an NDA and I'm awaiting his response. In the meantime I want to get a plan of action going.
So I'm wondering how AA is integrated on the client-side. Obviously the manufacturer headunits aren't running Android, but they've gotta communicate somehow with the phone. I can't find this info anywhere, I'm guessing this is info Google only shares with Auto manufacturers and the Kentwoods and Pioneers of the world. But maybe I'm wrong. I'm assuming it's a protobuf-based protocol between the headunit and the phone, but I don't know.
Can anybody help me out here? Thanks.
All my android auto head units are running android operating system two Chevy and one Mitsubishi. Main reason why poplar cars get rooted head units and what not. But after market android auto head unit is probably your best choice.