Database Develop

LF: Android Auto Experience, without the Wires

feedback non-existent in H/U forum so thought i'd try my luck here.
seeking recommendation to be installed into RSX
back in January I looked into Android Auto/CarPlay from the brand names but they require USB connection to phone = dealbreaker
not looking to DIY a tablet into the dash
LF a 2DIN head unit that works very similiarly to AA without the wires.
I'm looking to have run this app pretty much on default
http://www.androidcentral.com/hands-automate-android-auto-your-phone
will be installing myself
to be used with Galaxy Nexus GSM on 4.3...quite long in the tooth my next phone is likely Note 5 or the new LG Nexus
convenience is key. I just want to enter the car and have BT auto connected to the phone and ready to stream music without having to pull out my phone.
voice-enabled messaging, google apps, backup cam, capacitative touch screen are all requirements. volume knob, 2gb ram, quad-core processor and large community dev support would be nice.I didn't look at Hufei and AN-21 because their specs are dated as they've been around for a while now. I've been waiting for android 5.0 head units to hit the market but it's taking forever.
i'm not an audiophile so as long as the sound quality isn't worse than a stock Honda radio I'm good which is only mediocre at best.

I think you're confused about a few things.
1. Android Auto requires USB, period. It doesn't work any other way.
2. AutoMate is not the same as Android Auto. It's a launcher that looks sort of like Android Auto. It has nothing to do with your other phone, bluetooth, etc. It's standalone. If you want to stream music from your phone you're gonna have a bad time.
The NU3001 is the best (i.e., most modern) head unit available today. Because the source code is available the community has developed a ROM that is car friendly and does work with bluetooth streaming, Google Now, etc. You can run AutoMate on it if you want but I finally uninstalled it as it's just a (pretty) layer that gets in the way between your maps/music/phone apps and you. There are variants available with a physical volume knob but to my knowledge they don't have one for a Honda.

alaninsitges said:
1. Android Auto requires USB, period. It doesn't work any other way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto has Wifi support built in, but AFAIK my Headunit app is the only way to make it work at present, unless you have access to some unreleased devices/apps.
To Original poster: I don't think a solution with all the features you want exists yet. We've been waiting for decades for useful, robust implementations of the sort of environment that Android Auto and CarPlay provide.
I hope that within the next 2 years we will have solutions that are useful and "just work". The ones we have now clearly need work and seem as immature as Android 1.x and 2.x compared with the Android 5.x/6.x level solutions we want.

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.

Recommendations for head unit.

I would like some recommendations for a double din head unit. I wanted to have nav, rear view cam support, aux and 4G/WiFi.
I was going to make my own system with a raspberry pi, but after pricing stuff out I'm gonna be looking at a similar price of $200+. So I would rather just buy an android head unit since that's the OS I want to use anyway and it's still not that smooth on a rasperry pi. Although Google is going to offically suport it soon.
Thanks
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Check on Crutchfield.com. I've only seen one unit that runs wifi(its alot more the $200), and havent seen one that runs cell band

Check out 'Joying'. You will have it in a few days.
If they have a package for your car then she is plug&play. Many of the units are the same but come with different stuff so the price changes. Some have volume knobs - do get that.
Joying... (can't post links so you have to type in)
carjoying-dot-com
I personally got this setup for my Nissan Frontier truck...
and i now have the 5.1 update hardware to update from kitkat. You might want to ask for the 5.1 models.

Yeah after I have been looking around the joying is probably what I'm gonna go with.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

The unit I got was the 'JY-NQ128'.
If you search for it on the joying site you will see it is set up for Nissan cars/trucks meaning they include plug and play cables for that vehicle so it's working in minutes.
That part number also comes with backup camera, gps stuff, etc. It has a volume knob on the top. Some other packages will have the same unit at a different price but come with say an OBD2 dongle and a volume button in the middle or no buttons or no navigation. Some have a DVD player.
A note about navigation... You have to ask for it. They will then send you a link for the 'IGO' software and maps. You install it on the blank SD card they include. IGO is kinda a standard I think but you can also use Google maps, Here, Waze, whatever you like. In settings you just set the nav button to whatever.
You can buy cables, backup camera, etc from their site if they don't have a package for your car.
I have bad ears so can't be trusted on its ability to play music but seems to work fine. I bought it mostly for its backup camera, navigation and of course the powerful Android system. My calendar is on there, email, etc.
Nice unit 1024x600 screen too.

daveEM said:
The unit I got was the 'JY-NQ128'.
If you search for it on the joying site you will see it is set up for Nissan cars/trucks meaning they include plug and play cables for that vehicle so it's working in minutes.
That part number also comes with backup camera, gps stuff, etc. It has a volume knob on the top. Some other packages will have the same unit at a different price but come with say an OBD2 dongle and a volume button in the middle or no buttons or no navigation. Some have a DVD player.
A note about navigation... You have to ask for it. They will then send you a link for the 'IGO' software and maps. You install it on the blank SD card they include. IGO is kinda a standard I think but you can also use Google maps, Here, Waze, whatever you like. In settings you just set the nav button to whatever.
You can buy cables, backup camera, etc from their site if they don't have a package for your car.
I have bad ears so can't be trusted on its ability to play music but seems to work fine. I bought it mostly for its backup camera, navigation and of course the powerful Android system. My calendar is on there, email, etc.
Nice unit 1024x600 screen too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your unit have android auto Capabilites?

lbus9168 said:
Does your unit have android auto Capabilites?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. I've not researched Android Auto but I suspect it is totally limited (AA).
My unit is full blown Android. You have to be careful here. For example streaming a movie while driving is possible. It is initially shut off in settings but you can turn it on.
The unit is like a Nexus phone. No limitations.

daveEM said:
Not sure. I've not researched Android Auto but I suspect it is totally limited (AA).
My unit is full blown Android. You have to be careful here. For example streaming a movie while driving is possible. It is initially shut off in settings but you can turn it on.
The unit is like a Nexus phone. No limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the biggest thing im looking for is a nice driving friendly UI, with good navigation. Android auto ticks all my requirements.

How about “Pumpkin”?
Android 5.1 Lollipop Stereo https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pumpkin-UNIVERSAL-Mirror-link-Bluetooth/dp/B0197X0IKM

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.