Database Develop

Porting Android Auto to existing Windows CE car headunits

Hey folks. Apologies if this is in the wrong area. Now that Android Auto is announced (http://www.android.com/auto/), I know there are lots of folks with Windows CE-based car headunits. I'm wondering if we could start a conversation about getting Android Auto set up on those head units. I have no idea what would be involved, but I want to see if it's a possibility for discussion.

I would also be interested in this if it is possible to port it to other windows or Microsoft based systems.

Yeah I'm bumping this for sure - I've got Microsoft Sync in mine, but it's the non-touch version, so I'm not sure if Android Auto could be configured for that hardware...

You can pretty much forget about this idea right now guys. Even the most advanced and most recent CE head units use hardware that is so outdated that even 1st gen android phones look cutting edge in comparsion (typically 400-800mhz single core processors and 128-256mb of ram). Even if it was somehow done it would be a serious pain in the behind to use.

Simply put no it will not happen
99.9 percent of windows ce devices are armv6
Only first gen android runs on that and android 5.0 requires atleast armv7
Ot would require a complete rewrite of android from the ground up and thats 2-3 yrs work if you can find a team of about 30 devs all willing to give up their day jobs to do it for free
90 percent of all android head units available already will not see auto at all just like all the android watches that will mever receive wear
Sent from my LG-D722 using XDA Premium HD app

silent_bob52637 said:
Simply put no it will not happen
99.9 percent of windows ce devices are armv6
Only first gen android runs on that and android 5.0 requires atleast armv7
Ot would require a complete rewrite of android from the ground up and thats 2-3 yrs work if you can find a team of about 30 devs all willing to give up their day jobs to do it for free
90 percent of all android head units available already will not see auto at all just like all the android watches that will mever receive wear
Sent from my LG-D722 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's assuming that Android Auto is running full-blown Android. My understanding is that the phone is doing all of the heavy lifting and the head unit is effectively a "dumb display" similar to MirrorLink. If that's the case, then the head unit doesn't need to do much and they are probably using some pretty low-spec hardware already. Now, if you're trying to get Android 5.0 on these systems so you can run Android Auto without a separate phone, then I agree - most headunits will not be able to handle that with their low specs
Anybody have any info on what the head unit is actually running on an Android Auto system? Does Google provide anything as an example, or is it strictly APIs and left unto the car/HU manufacturers to figure it out?

tbkdan said:
That's assuming that Android Auto is running full-blown Android. My understanding is that the phone is doing all of the heavy lifting and the head unit is effectively a "dumb display" similar to MirrorLink. If that's the case, then the head unit doesn't need to do much and they are probably using some pretty low-spec hardware already. Now, if you're trying to get Android 5.0 on these systems so you can run Android Auto without a separate phone, then I agree - most headunits will not be able to handle that with their low specs
Anybody have any info on what the head unit is actually running on an Android Auto system? Does Google provide anything as an example, or is it strictly APIs and left unto the car/HU manufacturers to figure it out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 5.0
Android wear
And android auto are all the same os
Need the same type of specs just look at the moto 360 and lg watch
Way to powerful to have on a windows ce device
The watches are also nothing more then a notification mirror on a digital watch with specs of over 1ghz cpu and 512mb ram the most powerdul windows ce device is the htc hd2
Which runs a 1ghz cpu and 512 mb of ram in the eu model
Sent from my LG-D722 using XDA Premium HD app

silent_bob52637 said:
Android 5.0
Android wear
And android auto are all the same os
Need the same type of specs just look at the moto 360 and lg watch
Way to powerful to have on a windows ce device
The watches are also nothing more then a notification mirror on a digital watch with specs of over 1ghz cpu and 512mb ram the most powerdul windows ce device is the htc hd2
Which runs a 1ghz cpu and 512 mb of ram in the eu model
Sent from my LG-D722 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
www . androidcentral . com/all-you-need-know-about-android-auto
This one's important to remember. Android Auto is on your phone, not embedded into the car. This is the same approach Apple took with CarPlay and is probably the best way to go about it. The auto manufacturers build support for the platform into their own systems – many built on top of the BlackBerry owned QNX OS – and then Android Auto becomes visible to you when you connect your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The head unit is not running Android (although I suppose it could). The head unit is running whatever OS the manufacturer wants and interacts with the phone, acting as somewhat of a dumb terminal to display information from the phone. The phone is running the meat and potatoes of the Android Auto solution.

gf

azq8ooz said:
gf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know of a car infotainment system that has been rooted? I am thinking of installing one in my 2005 Subaru Outback and am hoping to have something that I can install my preferred apps on. I know I can use my Nexus 7 to do it but I'd prefer more of a 'drop in' unit.

bbc0 said:
Does anyone know of a car infotainment system that has been rooted? I am thinking of installing one in my 2005 Subaru Outback and am hoping to have something that I can install my preferred apps on. I know I can use my Nexus 7 to do it but I'd prefer more of a 'drop in' unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...4-4-2-kitkat-head-unit-newsmy-carpad-t2865525
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2660662

That's not android auto for Windows CE, but this app Easyconnected allows you to mirror everything from your Android phone through usb cable. Just activate usb debugging on developer options.
I know it's in Chinese, but nothing that Google translator couldn't help.
http://www.carbit.cn/

rvbeppler said:
http://www.carbit.cn/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good link. Now if someone could get it running on their own HU

rewen said:
Good link. Now if someone could get it running on their own HU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got to run it on my Hyundai OEM navigation, made by Motrex. It works perfectly, but I had to use an old version to change the language to English, hacking the zip file with languages, I've exchanged the file name with English phrases to the Chinese file name.
In the newer versions, this zip file has a password and I didn't find another way to exchange the language from Chinese.

Can you elaborate on how you got it working? I've got a 2013 Santa Fe Sport (Limited; nav) and would kill for this. I've been searching junkyards for 2017 head units lol

I've used total commander disguised as an update (renamed it as update.exe inside the folder update) on a flash drive, and the my head unit recognize it as an update.
When I go to settings - > update, total commander opens and after it I can run whenever program I want.
P.S. only works in Motrex headunits which are used by Hyundai in Russia and Latin America. European, Korean and American cars use another head units.
Source: http://www.santa3.ru/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=1736
http://sorento.kia-club.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=32135
(Used Google chrome to translate it)
Enviado de meu SM-N920G usando Tapatalk

rvbeppler said:
P.S. only works in Motrex headunits which are used by Hyundai in Russia and Latin America. European, Korean and American cars use another head units.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a shame.. I wonder if I can find anything for the North American head unit..

Hi guys. I install the application from carbit.cn , it is a good software, I was able to mirroring my Android phones (Samsung S4 and S6 edge also S4 mini ) to WinCe 6.0 , but I want to have this app in English , not in Chinese , I tried to rename the file from zip archive languages, res_Lang_CHN.xml to res_Lang_EN.xml , because in app the isn't a option to change language, but the program remain in chinese language, I saw just a few words are translated , the zip file has a password, I can't extract the xml file to be able to change it , have you any idea how I can do this ? Also there is an android app called CarMan.apk , witch is also in chinese , how I can skip not to install ?
Regards,
Emil

I am directly send mail to carbit. They don't share pass or language package​ but customer service send another program to me now I am using Turkish.
Xperia Z3 cihazımdan Tapatalk kullanılarak gönderildi

hzr34 said:
I am directly send mail to carbit. They don't share pass or language package​ but customer service send another program to me now I am using Turkish.
Xperia Z3 cihazımdan Tapatalk kullanılarak gönderildi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's that another program? Can you share it with us?
Enviado de meu SM-N920G usando Tapatalk

[Q] Android auto for tablets?

I'm obviously a newbie, but since I"m using a Nexus 7 (with Autodroid currently) as the head unit for my car, I'm wondering if it's possible to use (or adapt?) Auto, when it comes out, to the Nexus 7? I'm sure it's possible, but what might be involved? Is it practicle?
I have some programming experience, but it's been a long time. Nevertheless, it might be fun to try if it's not too involved.
Thanks to all who contribute to these forums!

I'm pretty sure it comes built in with cars so unless your willing to buy the hardware idk...
I might be wrong though. xx
~Kate xoxo

Check out AutoMate!

Im also running a nexus 7 as my head unit. Came back this forum with the same question..... would android auto be ported to a tablet? Im pretty happy with my my nexus running pure android but you know curiosity killed the cat....

AutoMate? That looks very interesting.
Maybe I don't know where to click, but I don't see much about it other than it's "Android Auto, re-imagined for phones and tablets". It's a horrible search name, since the search noise makes it impossible to search for.
I can't see it on Google Play. I joined the community, but there's no news from anywhere or anyone that I can see about it, only unanswered comments from other people who have joined. What am I missing? Can I download this somewhere?
Thanks!

The g+ community has a small description section explaining what AutoMate is, along with some screen shots. It's currently under development with a target for early April.
Kman9 said:
AutoMate? That looks very interesting.
Maybe I don't know where to click, but I don't see much about it other than it's "Android Auto, re-imagined for phones and tablets". It's a horrible search name, since the search noise makes it impossible to search for.
I can't see it on Google Play. I joined the community, but there's no news from anywhere or anyone that I can see about it, only unanswered comments from other people who have joined. What am I missing? Can I download this somewhere?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for that. I see it now.
I'll be very interested in how this plays out. Currently I've got my Nexus 7 running pretty well as a head unit, but it could always be better!

Gator Brah said:
Im also running a nexus 7 as my head unit. Came back this forum with the same question..... would android auto be ported to a tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this will be figured out.
But Google is likely to resist and may not allow apps that help on Google Play.

Who cares, there is a lot of apps available only on xda, it will be one of it !
http://storage.googleapis.com/andro...developers_backstage/ADB 23 Reincarnation.mp3
17:00
Everything Is just processing and everything just happens on phone, video is just sent to head car unit and displayed on screen, it's 100% sure that there is a way to baypass this and just use phone screen as head unit screen, that's it

brainscollector said:
Everything Is just processing and everything just happens on phone, video is just sent to head car unit and displayed on screen, it's 100% sure that there is a way to baypass this and just use phone screen as head unit screen, that's it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From Google's perspective, to some extent, yes.
But head units can add "external" features, like Pioneer's AM/FM and HD radio.
These "external" features might even be possible to "internalize" to some extent, to avoid the hassles and UI discrepancies that mode buttons bring. (Not positive yet.)
I have noted there is a protocol between phone and head unit. It's not a simple hardware type connection like HDMI/DVI for video for example.
This is an extensible protocol of course, and future possibilities are limitless. I'll write some more of what I've found on the developer mode thread I started.

Porting Android Auto to Aftermarket Android Headunit?

So I have a DVD headunit which I purchased last year it has better specs than those of Windows CEs but still was wondering what is the minimum required hardware to run Android Auto or to port it?
the one i have is this > http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/295405311.html?orderId=60478515687114
It would be great if I could run a newer version of Android on that.
thanks

panos_27 said:
You can't
Στάλθηκε από το SM-G900F μου χρησιμοποιώντας Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything is possible.
It's just "very, very difficult" without Google's source code.
Without the Google code (which I doubt will be released), or code from a non-trivial reverse engineering project, I think it would become merely "very difficult", especially for Chinese devices with no documentation.

tatail said:
So I have a DVD headunit which I purchased last year it has better specs than those of Windows CEs but still was wondering what is the minimum required hardware to run Android Auto or to port it?
the one i have is this > http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/295405311.html?orderId=60478515687114
It would be great if I could run a newer version of Android on that.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought i'd bump this because i have found something that may interest you after looking for something similar for ages:
It's called automate https:// plus.google. com/communities/102908788212710276577 it's a clone of android auto that you can install as an apk and looks amazing!

stewartie4 said:
I thought i'd bump this because i have found something that may interest you after looking for something similar for ages:
It's called automate https:// plus.google. com/communities/102908788212710276577 it's a clone of android auto that you can install as an apk and looks amazing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey thanks for the link, but do you think this will be able to run on Android 2.3?

stewartie4 said:
I thought i'd bump this because i have found something that may interest you after looking for something similar for ages:
It's called automate https:// plus.google. com/communities/102908788212710276577 it's a clone of android auto that you can install as an apk and looks amazing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Automate is an app that looks somewhat, sort of similar to AA, but it's not AA, and it won't be able to take advantage of all the AA enhancements Google will be putting out over the next several years.
I've written an Android Auto Headunit app that can turn a tablet or phone into a basic AA compatible headunit. It works with the standard Google AA app and will continue to support it as it, and my app, get new features.
Tablets on a dashboard have some disadvantages compared to "real" head units.
So I'm now looking at the most popular Chinese headunits, and I'd like to try to get my app to run on the more popular ones at least. If it looks more or less like a standard Android device, which is pretty likely, it should work...
I'm about to post release #2 of my app on my thread in this section if anyone wants to try.

mikereidis said:
Automate is an app that looks somewhat, sort of similar to AA, but it's not AA, and it won't be able to take advantage of all the AA enhancements Google will be putting out over the next several years.
I've written an Android Auto Headunit app that can turn a tablet or phone into a basic AA compatible headunit. It works with the standard Google AA app and will continue to support it as it, and my app, get new features.
Tablets on a dashboard have some disadvantages compared to "real" head units.
So I'm now looking at the most popular Chinese headunits, and I'd like to try to get my app to run on the more popular ones at least. If it looks more or less like a standard Android device, which is pretty likely, it should work...
I'm about to post release #2 of my app on my thread in this section if anyone wants to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My week keeps getting better! does your app support jellybean? as I know a lot of headunits out there (even good spec ones) are stuck on 4.1
Thanks!

stewartie4 said:
My week keeps getting better! does your app support jellybean? as I know a lot of headunits out there (even good spec ones) are stuck on 4.1
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seemed to work on my stock Xperia P with 4.1.
It's currently configured to require 4.0 minimum, but there is some small chance it could even run on 2.3, if a good H264 decoder is present.

[Beta][4.2+] Android Auto re-imagined for phones and tablets

Ever since Android Auto was announced at Google I/O last year, I really wanted to have it in my car. Unfortunately, I am not in the market for a new car, or even a $800 car stereo that supports Android Auto.
With that in mind, I set out to make an app called AutoMate that gives a similar experience to Android Auto. After five months of work, I am close to releasing a beta version. I am very excited to share some early screen shots with you guys today.
Would you see yourself using something like this? I'd love to hear some thoughts and opinions! I can't give an exact release date just yet, but I am hoping for the end of March.
I also created a g+ community that I will be using when the app is ready for beta testing. Please feel free to join to get updates about development.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Tnx broo
Congrats men, look very similar to android auto, is a very good option, i test your app and report, and also tell to my friends

Thats got alot potential man! looking good. I've got a in-dash nexus 7 ready to test

AMAZING!

Sign me right up!

Great work man ! it looks very promising, I surely would like to install it on my galaxy Note 1 running CM12 !
if the app can be triggered by connecting a Bluetooth device or a car-mount (Driving mode) that would be perfect !
keep up the good work, best luck

Correct me if wrong, but AutoMate is (or will be) a "regular" app, right ?
It is not Android Auto, or a direct alternative to AA. IE if I build an app with Android Auto features, it will not automatically have those features used in the same way as AA.
I mean no offense, and I am not attempting to criticize what this app is doing, but I think it needs to be made clear that this is not AA, nor is/will it be compatible with AA.
For these reasons, perhaps a post here in the AA section might be misplaced.
If it does what it does well, and people like it, that's great, and I look forward to seeing an APK posted.

Can't wait to try this out in my car install. Would be more than happy to test it for you if needed. Keep up the good work!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2113259
Sent from my LG-VS985 using XDA Free mobile app

Correct, it's a regular app. Sorry if I was not clear. It's not affiliated with AA or compatible with AA in any way. The reason I posted it here was because some users expressed frustrations with not being able to run the AA UI on their phones, and this app provides an alternative.
mikereidis said:
Correct me if wrong, but AutoMate is (or will be) a "regular" app, right ?
It is not Android Auto, or a direct alternative to AA. IE if I build an app with Android Auto features, it will not automatically have those features used in the same way as AA.
I mean no offense, and I am not attempting to criticize what this app is doing, but I think it needs to be made clear that this is not AA, nor is/will it be compatible with AA.
For these reasons, perhaps a post here in the AA section might be misplaced.
If it does what it does well, and people like it, that's great, and I look forward to seeing an APK posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Why is this tagged as Beta? it's not available to download. This is at most a teaser, in which I don't see the point. Post when you actually have something to share.

I'm willing to be a tester. I love what you are doing. I have a pioneer AVH-X4700BS so I'd love to see what your app looks like on my 7inch touchscreen. Congrats man

Bit, this looks amazing, I am very excited for this, will this require a minimum version of android? I have a parrot asteroid smart that runs android gingerbread 2.3.7 and I would love to be able to run this on there so I wouldn't have to buy a new head unit. Thanks!

HiWhatsUpNothin said:
Bit, this looks amazing, I am very excited for this, will this require a minimum version of android? I have a parrot asteroid smart that runs android gingerbread 2.3.7 and I would love to be able to run this on there so I wouldn't have to buy a new head unit. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to be a jerk. Buy it says 4.2+ in the post title.

billydroid said:
Not trying to be a jerk. Buy it says 4.2+ in the post title.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.. I saw that when I just got the notification that someone replied.... Hahaha

Gator Brah said:
Thats got alot potential man! looking good. I've got a in-dash nexus 7 ready to test
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks awesome, can't wait to test the beta.

I have been using the beta with my in-dash Nexus 7 for a few days and I like it, I like it a lot, it is well designed and easy to navigation however it is a real shame (due to Android / Google play service limitations) that turn by turn directions will leave the app.
I suppose paying for the premium features and having it as the home screen is a good workaround.

Check out the OP's Google+ page. There's a link to download the APK to test it out.

So would this app replace the launcher on my android head unit in my car or is it meant for the phone side of it?

Help with Toyota Tacoma 2023 head unit??

How can I root or get my head unit like my phone so I can watch YouTube or install any app I want on it?
They really limit what you can have on this thing.
Or what android auto adapter can do these things?
(my phone is a s22 ultra)
Thanks in advance.

What have you found or considered thus far

Teh crickets

So far I'm using the app AAAD and it lets me watch YouTube and go online and mirrors my phone too so that's how far I've got.
I'd like to know more if anyone else got tips or tricks for the trucks head unit.