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Android Auto: right on your phone screen

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Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#61

And yet I still can't use a cheap Android tablet as a head unit because Google won't open their protocols to anyone outside their partner network. I either have to use my phone with a tiny screen, get an Android 5.0 compatible tablet with a SIM card (and corresponding data plan), or pony up a stupid amount of money for a "compatible" head unit.

Check DX or alidirect you'll be surprised just how many cheap android 5+ w/ GSM tablets are out there.

[deleted]

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#62
post #21

Was planning to buy an Android Auto-based head unit next month. Guess I'll give this a try first! The one other thing I need is integration with a backup camera...

Can you suggest a good replacement head unit?

I have a double din mount and was looking at the Pioneer AVH-4200NEX. Apparently some time in the next month or two the Sony XAV-AX100 should be released, which is also appealing.

Is either one worth the $500+ price tag? Still not sure.

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#63
post #56

Can't set a shortcut for own apps ? Laughable. Seems more of a launcher for 3 Google apps + added value of Trojan horse for data collection while driving. I wished for Android Auto to get released in this form, but this isn't something I thought a multi billion corporation with talented software engineers would come up with. Here's some real usage info: Gavin • 4 hours ago I just finished driving to work with this (I…

I just installed Android Auto and it's pretty nice. Perhaps you should try it. Having shortcuts to the other apps would, however, be a joke.

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#66

And yet I still can't use a cheap Android tablet as a head unit because Google won't open their protocols to anyone outside their partner network. I either have to use my phone with a tiny screen, get an Android 5.0 compatible tablet with a SIM card (and corresponding data plan), or pony up a stupid amount of money for a "compatible" head unit.

Check DX or alidirect you'll be surprised just how many cheap android 5+ w/ GSM tablets are out there.

I already bought one. Trouble is now I have to pay an additional $20 a month for the data plan unless I turn on internet sharing from my phone every time I hop in the car.

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#67
For anyone considering Android Auto, there's an open source application for turning any Android tablet with USB OTG into an Android Auto head unit.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/paid-software/androi...

This is cool for a diy project to turn an old tablet into a car head unit. Google is not happy about this reverse-engineered version, but since the hardware and software on the cars will be very hard to update, the reverse-engineered protocol will be very hard for them to change. Even if you're not into DIY projects, it's still nice to be able to give it a try before taking the plunge for a new head unit.

I was considering getting/building an Android Auto head unit sometime, but after trying it on the tablet, it was really disappointing for me. Only a handful of apps are supported, and none of the ones I'd like to use.

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#69

While it is nice to be able to use your phone directly, still much better to make your phone talk to an in-dash display and for that you need a compatible in-dash system. The good news is that there's plenty of aftermarket in-dash displays. The bad news is that you have to muck around their awful websites for too long to filter out all the junk and then pay for something that has way more than you need. For whatever…

Well this sounds like MirrorLink will be good enough as AA can now run on the phone rather than needing to be on the head unit too.

Re: Android Auto: right on your phone screen

#70
post #56

Can't set a shortcut for own apps ? Laughable. Seems more of a launcher for 3 Google apps + added value of Trojan horse for data collection while driving. I wished for Android Auto to get released in this form, but this isn't something I thought a multi billion corporation with talented software engineers would come up with. Here's some real usage info: Gavin • 4 hours ago I just finished driving to work with this (I…

I just installed Android Auto and it's pretty nice. Perhaps you should try it. Having shortcuts to the other apps would, however, be a joke.

I paid for offline GPS software which lets me download whole continents of data to my phone. Paying roaming charges to be able to navigate is a joke in my book.

No, you can't save the whole country in Maps. You can't even save certain regions in certain countries (Austria being an example).

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