Database Develop

Alternate Thought: Why not build in the mini android pc into the car

I know I'm missing something about AA, but let me ask this newbie question anyway. Oh silly me ..... what is/are the advantages of AA ..... what if users like me are happy with our car sound and video system but just want a Google centric pc and display in the car. You can buy Android mini pc like Minix, Tronsmart and others for around $200 USD or less. 16:9 HD displays with usb touchscreens have dropped in price, so mount one instead of the Garmin type Navi screens.
Yes, for connectivity you do need a wireless technology bridge from LTE to cat5 wired. But really (!), for $500 or less you get great Android system built into your car and you get to operate your sound system seperately. You can mirror or even 'sidesync' between car pc and phablet/phone if you want. Heck, with those smart TV type boxes you can watch all kinds of stuff. With a little thinking, you can connect audio into your existing sound system. You can use any number of ODBII devices to connect to your car's port and run the Torque app on your car Android pc to have all kinds of car diagnostics and live meters. You have almost the entire Google ecosystem available like any other device (almost).
What does Android Auto get you?
I apologize for asking such a seemingly silly question. Why does everything have to become so complicated and expensive?

The promise of Android Auto and its current reality don't quite match up yet but it is very early and I think it is a matter of time.
AA (and CarPlay) is meant to surface the most important functions of your smartphone and provide a more integrated and less distracting way of interacting with those functions. More integrated in terms of working with steering wheel functions (e.g. volume, next/prev, voice command, etc) and current media playback (e.g. pausing or muting existing audio to deliver turn-by-turn instructions). Less distracting in terms of simplified UI with less touching/typing required and more dependence on voice commands. It also eliminates non-essential notifications while driving (I don't need to see the latest Instagram post until I am parked thanks).
I think it also showcases to auto OEMs what is possible with some good design thinking. I own a 2014 VW with the most unintuitive, cumbersome, slow, frustrating navigation you could imagine. An Android Auto head unit that provides an excellent Google Maps nav experience is light years ahead of a system like that.
Dropping in a smartphone Android interface into a dashboard misses much of what AA is meant to deliver. It may be somewhat more integrated but it is no less distracting.

SCKoman said:
I know I'm missing something about AA, but let me ask this newbie question anyway. Oh silly me ..... what is/are the advantages of AA ..... what if users like me are happy with our car sound and video system but just want a Google centric pc and display in the car. You can buy Android mini pc like Minix, Tronsmart and others for around $200 USD or less. 16:9 HD displays with usb touchscreens have dropped in price, so mount one instead of the Garmin type Navi screens.
Yes, for connectivity you do need a wireless technology bridge from LTE to cat5 wired. But really (!), for $500 or less you get great Android system built into your car and you get to operate your sound system seperately. You can mirror or even 'sidesync' between car pc and phablet/phone if you want. Heck, with those smart TV type boxes you can watch all kinds of stuff. With a little thinking, you can connect audio into your existing sound system. You can use any number of ODBII devices to connect to your car's port and run the Torque app on your car Android pc to have all kinds of car diagnostics and live meters. You have almost the entire Google ecosystem available like any other device (almost).
What does Android Auto get you?
I apologize for asking such a seemingly silly question. Why does everything have to become so complicated and expensive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your "build your own Android mini-PC" idea will seem VERY complicated to "regular people".
Regular people can buy a new car with AA HU installed, and simply plug their stock Android phone in. Or buy an aftermarket HU and have any of thousands of shops install it for you. How may shops will build, configure and install a custom mini-PC ? Mp3car.com MAY do it for $10,000.00 or more I guess... (See their website for custom work.)
Android Auto, after a few years of fixes and new apps supporting it, will hopefully provide a "just works" solution.
Android/computing enthusiasts may prefer to build their own systems and spend many hours tinkering etc. Or they may just want a "just works" solution here too.
Different audiences, different requirements.

Good points .... marketing savvy ... I like.

Thoughts? Erisin 3090A - Single Din, quad core, 4.4, 1024x600

I'm looking to get a single DIN flip screen style head unit. Looks like there are really only 2 quad core options out there:
Eonon GA1312: Seems to be relatively popular Klyde design and shows up under a few other "brand" names. It meets my needs but the basic downsides here being the 800x480 screen and typical lack of an external microphone. From a Youtube walk through it looks like it is a KLD5 MCU.
Erisin 3090A: This looks like an upgraded quad core version of the Erisin 8990A (dual core system). This unit has the upsides of a 1024x600 screen, an external microphone (important given this is going in a loud sports car), options for DAB radio and DVB-T TV (not useful here in the US), and a removable face plate. (I can't post links but the specs are posted at the first google search link for "ES3090A")
Needless to say the Erisin looks like the better on paper, but I'm hesitant to pull the trigger. Anyone have any experience, thoughts, or comments on this unit?

I got both.
Eonon GA1312:
Bluetooth is total crap , no one can hear you in a call .
Missing 3g apn setup
unable to change panel leds color, they are blue and blinding.
no detachable front fascia
front usb and front audio in
Simple to root with a password.
Some apps cannot pass the initial screen due to low Res.
Shutdown timer does not work.
It has configurable reserve camera lines
Erisin 3090A
Bluethooth calling is great plus it has an additional external mic.
Device seems to have 2 Bluetooth devices , one for the phone and other for android
Any color you fancy for the panel leds
detachable front fascia
Can only be rooted via king root ( i was able to replace king root with superuser)
missing multitask button.
No front usb or audio in.
Shutdown timer set a 10 seconds, unable to change so far.
Dos not have configurable reserve camera lines ( most cameras come with lines integrated anyway.)
Both units have the same cpu.
Both units DVR are crap,most of the time they ether crash or fail to start.
The Eonon GA1312 has most setting integrated into the android control panel while the other unit has several other apps to change settings.
Also the Eonon GA1312 seems to have slightly better sound out of the box.
Hope it helps

Erisin a3090 a3090aen 3090aen android quadcore
After extensive reseach ,I also considered a couple of options.
I have a supra mk4 1993. It's double din sits quite low, so opted for a single din with fold out display. So i used the upper part of the space..
Also considered the dvb and TV for posible future uses.
Also there is a reverse camera input with reverse sensor contact as well as the expected dvr with the plug and play USB camera.
I tried a couple of USB cameras and the unit crashed or the app crashed, thought it was a pile of cap,* however I read that it has to be the camera supplied by Erisin. After purchase, the camera has been 100% . Dvr loop, 3 ,5 and 10 mins with option to use specific memory, adjustable up to 500mb.
Not tried the reverse camera as yet.
The Bluetooth works well, I have connected the android phone via Bluetooth for music and the torque unit. They work as expected.
However I did find that on occasions, the phone would knock off when I tired to activate the obd2 Bluetooth adaptor. ( got a converter adaptor on ebay £14)
I got around this by connecting the phone first.
I've not yet tried to connect 3 or more devices as yet.
The 4 really annoying thing are,
1. When on a Bluetooth call, you cannot access the android unit. It seems to lock on to the call screen.
2. Fast processor,* my arse.* More like missing a couple of cores. Slower than my galaxy s5. But fast enough for the pleasures it brings.
3. The Google voice app and other voice apps say error when trying to use. "Mic not working", (something like that).
The mic works normal on the phone and the voice memo apps.
The same happened on another new unit.
4. It seems like there is a limited memory for apps. Can't seem to change where they are stored.
I got about 6 apps totaling around 600mb. And it ran out of storage.
Other things like no AM Radio.
The screen only folds up to 90° angle exactly, so if it's low down on the dash, it may be an issue.
No mic on the dvr they provide,* or the app doesn't support it.
The Satnav could do with having the speed cameras info. But It didn't,* it does have the option to warn for it and others, in the settings though.
The WiFi works well if very close to the antenna otherwise seems to go weak very fast when creating a small distance.
I tested it with a new extended wifi antenna, and actually got a slower speed, but that could be a faulty lead!
I actually was able to test 2 units as I wanted to make sure that my initial unit was working as it should.
And it was. So I returned the second unit after extensive comparisons on data speed and app response times etc.
Despite the problems, I am sure I made the correct decision.
Amazing piece of kit considering I'm updating an old double din of 10 year old with satnav etc.
I use it via a "hotspot" , from my phone. Works really well.
Memory locations and availability work well.
Sound is great.
Ended up costing me £215 after I complained about the mic thing.
I'm sure that another app is blocking the mic from working on the Google thing and other voice apps.
Any or update would be really appreciated to help with my issues above.
I hope I have been of some help.
Contact me at [email protected]
Thanks

Is this a MTCB unit? Can I install Malaysk ROM on it?

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

Considering Android Auto and have some questions

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.

Rear camera view on PHONE running android auto

Hi guys,
I have thoroughly searched the forum, but I could not find an answer reffering to the use case of the car running android auto on the phone, not on the head unit.
Summary: is there a way to reproduce the rear camera functionality of a headunit running android auto in your phone instead?
I am aware there are video WiFi transimiters, also available apps to go with them, pick a rear camera from amazon and off you go, by launching the app on your phone, you can now see the rear camera.
HOWEVER, if android auto is running I would like this app to launch automatically as I put the rear gear in (hence, enabling current to the camera and having something to look at). For the apps and wifi transmiters, it seems they are built to just be continually run, not only on rear mode. See on youtube "DIY Inexpensive Digital Wireless RV Backup camera- Review EC170 and 903W TrA" (can´t post a link since I am a new user!)
It seems like the apps available are linked to a particular wifi transmitter? Or are they available for any device?
Do you know of an app that as soon as current is given to the rear camera, it will launch the camera app (overriding android auto typical screen, just like it happens in AA headunits with rear camera), and as current is cut from the camera, the app will shut down and let AA continue its business? (all of that without shuting down AA in the first place, just overlaying the camera view).
In case an app like that was not available, how difficult can it be to program? I could potentially be willing to pay.
I am not sure if I explained myself correcty. Let me know if you have any further questions, thanks in avance!

I doubt it. Head units which support cameras do so outside of AA (the camera simply takes the screen away from AA). And they have a wire connected to the backup lights to signal when to switch to the camera. And I'm not aware of any backup cameras which use WiFi or Bluetooth (which doesn't have enough bandwidth anyway) - they're either hardwired or use a proprietary wireless link to a dedicated receiver which connects to the head unit.
So, there are three problems to solve. How does the phone know the car is in reverse? How does the video get to the phone? Even if you found a WiFi backup camera, you'd need to be running a hotspot on the phone, and the time it would take to connect would be unreasonable - head units only take a second or so to display when you start backing up.
Finally, what's the app which ties it all together? Even if there were solutions for the first two, simply buying an AA head unit would be cheaper than paying for an app to be developed. So, why not just buy a head unit? Or even just a backup camera solution with its own screen?