[Android Head-Units] ohsobrown:
Android 4.1 car stereo

So I've just installed this unit into my car. Are there any good updates that anyone recommends installing?:good:[

QUOTE=KID52;47489472]"AN-21 U" - Unbranded 6.2" 2 DIN Pure Android 4.1 Car Stereo Radio Head Unit

To avoid confusion, below is a picture of the unit this thread relates to.

I am aware of a previous unit using the same design, but it runs an older version of Android. This thread is for the unit running 4.1 as standard.

​

Specification / Features

Hardware

CPU: ARM Cortex A9 MST786 Dual Core 1GHz

GPU: Mali-400 MP

RAM: SKHYNIX 1G DDR3 RAM H5TQ4G83AFR

iNAND: SanDisk 8GB SD1N5C2-8G (1GB system storage, 6GB internal USB storage)

MCU: STM8AH ST

Bluetooth: BlueCore5 CSR

Screen: Capacitive 800*480

GPS: SiRF Atlas V GPS Processor

Radio: Philips TEF6624

Sound Effect Processor: BD37534 ROHM

Outputs: 4x 45w outputs, Toshiba TB2929

Additional Outputs: 1x Subwoofer, 4x pre-outs

Microphone: Built in microphone

Supported Features

Bluetooth connection to phone for calls.

WiFi and 3G dongles. These must be plugged in before turning the device on, and are not hot-swappable.

Compatible 3G Dongles

ZTE MF190 Clone (Qualcomm MSM6280 + RTR6280)

Huawei E171 (Qualcomm MSM6290)

Huawei E261

Non-Compatible 3G Dongles

Generic Orange/Black eBay dongle (Qualcomm MSM6280 + RTR6275)

Huawei E352

Connection of multiple USB devices through a USB hub, including wireless keyboards, USB memory sticks, and wireless dongles. These types of devices are hot-swappable.

Multiple USB memory sticks can be plugged in. They mount at "mnt/usb/sda1", "mnt/usb/sdb1", and so on. The limit is not known, three have been tested at once.​

Wiki Page

This unit has a very useful Wiki page with a lot of good information.

Tonghai Create AN-21 U Wiki

It would be really appreciated if before posting any questions, you take a read of it, this main post, watch the video review, or do a search of this thread to avoid any repeats.​

Video Review

[youtube]EX3MuMqBMfw[/youtube]

Other videos showing specific features are also available on my channel.​

News

2014.01.20

Download links and bugs section updated.​

2013.12.05

Root is now possible.​

Previous News

2013.11.16

The manufacturer intends to add new features to the unit, they are currently developing an OBD II system, I assume this would be via USB. They say it will require additional hardware.

Sooner than that, they plan to release wireless mirror link for Android phones.

I asked about Bluetooth compatibility, they said my request would be sent to their engineer to include Bluetooth modules. Whether this actually gets included or not, we will have to see.​

Firmware Updates

To update the unit, extract the update files from the downloaded RAR and copy them to a MicroSD Card, insert the card, go to Settings -> General Settings -> System Update or turn the unit on whilst holding down the 'Menu' and 'Volume' buttons until the update starts.

System Version 2.6.70

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Previous Versions

System Version 2.6.68

*WARNING* This update appears to cause issues with GPS *WARNING*

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Password

System Version 2.6.62

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Mirror 3 - Click here

System Version 2.6.60-2

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Mirror 3 - Click here

System Version 2.6.60

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Mirror 3 - Click here

System Version 2.6.40

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Mirror 3 - Click here

System Version 2.6.23

*WARNING* This update appears to cause unrecoverable bricking of the unit when changing model or MCU. *WARNING*

Mirror 1 - Click here

Mirror 2 - Click here

Password

Changelog (Unofficial)

System Version 2.6.70

When changing panel keys or steering wheel controls, the notification bar is still displayed

New menu option for backing up and restoring both panel key and steering wheel control mappings

Previous Versions

System Version 2.6.68

Homescreen design reverted back to four large widgets per page

App icon for SWC settings

Setting in "Extra Settings" to force USB1.1

Factory reset is password protected (See FAQ)

Developer options are password protected (See FAQ)

System Version 2.6.62

Bluetooth icon in notification bar (appears Bluetooth is turned on by default now, cannot turn it off)

Bluetooth menu, accessed via an app, has "SEARCH FOR DEVICES" and visibility option, however nothing functions when pressed

All extra applications removed (ES File Explorer, GPS Test Plus, QuickPic)

WiFi Hotspot can be activated without re-plugging the 3G dongle in

Background is winter-themed

System Version 2.6.60-2

New home screen design

System Version 2.6.60

Default applications changed back to original theme

APK Installer application install by default

Bluetooth renamed back to Phone

Screenshot feature now fixed and works correctly

System Version 2.6.40

Larger notification bar

GPS icon removed from notification bar

Home, back, menu, and screen off buttons added to notification bar

Default applications changed to red theme (music player, radio, video player, phone)

Phone application renamed to Bluetooth

ES File Explorer installed by default

GPS Test Plus installed by default

QuickPic installed by default

Non-functioning screenshot featured added in settings menu

Bugs / Issues

Key

Unresolved

Workaround

Resolved​

Updated 2014.01.20

Newest issues will be put at the top, solved issues, or issues with workarounds will be moved to the bottom.

Unable to remove applications that are device administrators without factory reset due to security menu being disabled.

Many applications are unable to "see" the MicroSD card, so the choice of music players is limited. The mount point is "mnt/usb/mmcblk1p1".

Despite selecting "Front Speakers Only" for navigation sound, the sound comes out of the rear speakers too. Setting to "Front Right" appears to work correctly.

Bluetooth is restricted to phones only. (Unsure if this is hardware or software related, talking to manufacturer suggests hardware limitation).

Bluetooth dongles do not work.

There is a "pop" from the speakers sometimes when changing applications that control sound, this is extremely obvious if you have a subwoofer installed. It happens when the unit is turned on, and when going from mute, to a volume level.

Screen brightness when buttons illuminated is not user-configurable. This means it may be too bright or dark depending on the conditions. For example, when it is only mildly dark outside, and you have your lights on, the screen is very hard to see.

Workaround: Enable constant illumination from the "Extra Settings" menu by setting the option to "CLOSE", this will set the keys to always illuminate. Then use an application such as Twlight to control the screen brightness based on sunset and sunrise.

Random issue when downloading large applications. The progress will usually get to more than 50%, and then no progress is made.

Workaround: The only fix I have found so far is to stop the download, reboot the unit, start the download, and repeat until download continues. It should download from where you cancelled. This appears to be caused by a limited download cache size.

Steering wheel controls only work with default applications.

Resolved: Open the radio (this does not appear to work with the music app), then hold the back arrow in the bottom right hand corner, the app will close, allowing steering wheel controls to function with other apps.

Most recent default application always opens on boot and continues to play, even if paused. This includes the radio, music, video, and iPod applications.

Resolved: Open the radio (this does not appear to work with the music app), then hold the back arrow in the bottom right hand corner, the app will close, and no default app will open on boot.

USB Debugging is password protected.

Resolved: The password is "john@tw-desktop". Credit to [MENTION=5642747]nikko82[/MENTION]

Screenshot feature does not work, when trying to save the screenshot, a save error appears.

Resolved: This is solved in system version 2.6.60.​

Root

Root is now possible thanks to help from some great XDA members.

Credits to [MENTION=531561]WonderEkin[/MENTION] for the Root My AN-21 U app and [MENTION=5554780]bmj67[/MENTION] for supplying SettingsProvider.apk

Files required

Root My AN-21 U - [ Mirror1 | Mirror2 ]

[youtube]4Ny_KtLQOAo[/youtube]

Root My AN-21 U has been updated since this video was taken, the app should now correctly show "Step 2".

Download the required files above.

Install Android Terminal Emulator on your unit.

Open the AUX application and close it.

Install Root My AN-21 U and create a link on the homescreen.

Run Root My AN-21 U and press the "Step 1" button.

Reboot the unit.

Once the unit has rebooted the screen will likely be black, press the Home button to display the homescreen.

Run Root My AN-21 U and press the "Step 2" button.

Reboot the unit.

Open Android Terminal Emulator and run the following commands.

su
rm /data/local.prop

Reboot the unit.

FAQ

Can I root this unit?

Please see the "Root" section above.​

HELP! My unit is stuck in a boot-loop!

Place the update files on your MicroSD card (see "Firmware Updates" section). Then turn the unit on whilst holding down the volume knob and home button. This should start the update process.​

Can I use Bluetooth OBD devices with Torque?

Not at the moment, Bluetooth is only for phones and Bluetooth dongles do not work.​

Does it have the full Play Store?

Yes, it has the Play Store and all compatible applications are available for download.​

What is the boot time?

18 seconds to home screen, 22 seconds until music application starts. If you use the radio application rather than the music player, the radio sounds as soon as the unit receives power.​

Where can I buy one?

There are many listings on eBay/AliExpress under the search term "android 4.1 car", some have resistive, and some have capacitive screens. There is also the mention of a faster 1.2GHz dual core, however the unit actually has a 1GHz dual core CPU.​

How good is the radio?

The radio reception seems fine, as does the sound quality.​

Is there a Wiki page?

Yes.

Tonghai Create AN-21 U Wiki
​

What is the USB Debugging password?

john@tw-desktop​

What is the Factory Reset / Developer Options password?

7890​

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