[Android General] donaldta:
Sorry that it didn't work for you. We might be able to work around your issues with Music Volume EQ since it seems the only problem for you seems to be resolution. I'll download it to my Smart and check to see what we can do for you. Otherwise, you may consider also contacting the developer with some feedback.

I don't know about that. Their original Asteroid head units were based on Cupcake (Android 1.5 - API Level 3) and this was back in a time when Google did not allow anything on the Android Market other than Smartphones. They did open up third-party developer options with the Classic Asteroid, so it seemed that they were headed in the right direction. I think they are learning that when the open things up it spurs more interest. But, I was disappointed after learning that Parrot didn't get official Android Market / Google Play support for the Asteroid Smart and Tablet. Though the buying point for me was that root access was available on XDA which gives me a larger degree of customization than most of the name brand headunits.

Well, I should start off with conveying that I don't how Sony SmartLink would be used on a car stereo since it is a proprietary television protocol to interconnect various A/V equipment. But, it would be interesting to see it being used in the automotive industry. I do know about the Appradio 2 and 3, which the primary selling point is MirrorLink. But, I'm not really sure what OS they're running and I'm not really sold on the whole MirrorLink technology. MirrorLink is basically a way for audio manufacturers to artificially extend the usefulness of their products through the use of even more expensive smartphones.

Usually, when a manufacturer implements MirrorLink, it is so that they can allow third-party apps to interact with their platform without losing control and without the need to writing any extra code. All they really need to do is authorize the application to be used on their head unit. This is because the underlying technology of MirrorLink is based on VNC server / client where the controls of the phone is mirrored on the headunit and the audio is funnelled from the phone. This is usually handled through WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB as transport protocols. This means that you're completely dependant on the phone for the extra features; so if you forget, misplace, or forget to charge your phone then your stuck with a simple basic headunit until you can otherwise get your smartphone connected and running with it.

Besides, this can already be accomplished on the Smart using VMLite VNC Server or Veency on your smartphone, a VNC client like bVNC Free on the Smart or Tablet, then use Parrot Music Player to connect to it via Bluetooth or Line-In. It'll give you similar experience as MirrorLink just not as "refined" but with infinitely more control. Here's a fairly good article about MirrorLink if you interested, "MirrorLink misunderstood: 8 myths that need busting".

Anyways, back to the recommendation. It is pretty hard at the moment to pick because I still think the choice is Asteroid Smart despite its many flaws. Having root access is a big factor for me as it gives me control over the headunit. But, I might go with a Kenwood eXcelon DNN990HD and hope some day that someone finds a way of rooting it or at least push Android APKs to the unit. I downloaded the firmware and it looks like its running on a Telechips TCC88xx processor with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. It's a little pricey though, especially for being stuck into another walled garden.

I'm personally keeping an eye out for a generic china unit that goes by the nickname, "Knight Rider", to get the Kit Kat make over. Hopefully, when the source code is released they can get rid of Windows CE and go pure Android. I've already seen the unit make the transition from 2.3 to 4.0, so going 4.4 probably wouldn't be a far stretch.

There are a lot of things about the unit (as is now) that I like over the Smart. For example, physical buttons along the bottom of the unit. No obnoxious permanent softkeys on the left side of the screen wasting precious screen real estate. Instead they use softkeys which are integrated with the notification area in the Android Tablet mode. Another big plus is that it comes with Google Play pre-installed, so there is no more worrying about some lame closed off ecosystem. The entire front screen is removable which is a better theft deterrent than the removeable wedge on the Smart. I don't know what Parrot was thinking when they designed it; a crackhead unfamiliar with technology will not know that's supposed to be a deterrent. However, the big drawback is that it runs a dual OS with Windows CE and the bluetooth component does not work in Android.