yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Head-Units] CadillacMike:
You can put Android Auto on the Joying head unit. I have the Joying 8 inch screen, 2GB of RAM, with Intel. you just install Android Auto straight from the Play Store:

[IMG="Android Auto home"]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170127/472e7033ca5fc0798ae8e8314d6114f2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG="Spotify on Android Auto"]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170127/15f901b2dbd40f5d8493736d18845f32.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG="GPM"]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170127/a8da753d612ef547239a0e10a2945f54.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG="Android Auto settings"]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161202/dc44eb4dab4ce338f01487778961a75e.jpg[/IMG]

i dont know why some of those images aren't showing, you can see them here:

http://forum.carjoying.com/thread-409-android-auto-app.html?highlight=android+auto
[Android Head-Units] isomalt:
What you say is not false (not all of it at least ...) but it seems you try to compare a mass production device to a simple DIY project !

Of course it won't fit as well as a factory head unit without a little of work and of course you won't have the same functionalities out of the box. But after some tweaks and tricks you can get it to work very well !

And i can think to a solution for many of the points you list :

1) brightness of the screen automatically dim so it never was a problem for me. Also you can add a shortcut on the status bar

2) it's true the volume knob is appreciable, but you also can add shortcuts to control the sound ( on nav bar for exemple )

3) on this i can't agree more but. But with what you wrote maybe i'll find a way to make it work

4) I managed to make mine work with an arduino. It's a little tricky, but keep in mind it's a DIY project.

5) don't really need this features so i can't say

6) My car is not equiped but probably it's possible to get something done on this too

7) internet radio.

8)That's true i rekon

9) apple ? why ?

10) it's more to your onboard car computer to handle this not to your radio

11) Built in android option allow you to do this

12) no problems about this with mine so far

13) don't see why this is a problem ?

14) on this you probably are right. I didn't had problems with the battery but it's true that if i leave the tablet in sun it can shutdown. Anyway i don't think the inside temperature of the car will be harmfull to it.

15) depends the car

16)that's true, but honestly 2 channel is enough to me.

So to me it's not that the tablet install is better than a head unit. Clearly it lacks of some things that only a company product can bring. But as a rather cheap DIY project you can come up with something really great!
[Android Head-Units] isomalt:
I see you are taking the project much further than i did with integration of reverse camera and everything! it's going to be great for sure.

I see you use APEX laucher for you interface. It's a good choice as it's very customizable but maybe you'll like to give a look at "car laucher PRO" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.autolauncher.motorcar) on the store. It's less customizable, but it gives a nice looking and easy to use interface for the car.
[Android Head-Units] gustden:
You picked a great tablet for your install. This is exactly what I was using before I bought a Joying in-dash unit. Going from the 10.1" Tab A to the 7" Joying was a step backwards, especially the display quality. With the Joying my biggest complaint is it not going dark enough at night, or bright enough in direct sun. Not an issue with the Tab A.

If only one of these manufacturers would put a high quality screen into an in-dash unit. As for the processor, the new Joying unit noticeably slower when initially bringing up apps like iHeartRadio (~7 seconds on Tab A vs ~11 on the Joying unit). Once they are loaded in memory switching between is quick on both. I notice the screen quality more than the processor difference during actual use.

I would have gladly paid more for an in-dash unit with AMOLED screen and better specs, but couldn't find anything. Please let us know how it works when your done!
[Android Head-Units] Hilari0:
It's not 4x50W though. The power amp IC is rated at 4x50W at 10% THD or something, which obviously is not useable. A more reasonable 0.1% THD is reached at 4x15W, so that's more realistic. If you want more power than that, you'll have to use an external amplifier.
[Android Head-Units] kaderekusen:
U Can use a tablet to connect a phone and accept phone cals... The name is tablet talk u can find it over PlayStore.. but the biggest issue is the microphone... It uses the mic from the phone, but the phone is too far away it's not really loud
[Android Head-Units] wizzardsk:
Guys, I maybe did not notice this thing. Is it possible to use tablet in a car in car mode? I mean use it as head unit which means to use the phone as a server and tablet as a client, so that we coud also make the calls. I guess this is how original head units with AA works. Right? Is it possible using original AA or we need some 3rd party app?
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
Block Diagram

He is the block diagram of the install

Any suggestions?
[Android Head-Units] Hilari0:
Also, AMOLED isn't a good screen to have in a car install. They're prone for burn-in over time, and has too much degradation over time. LCD is better for use in a car environment.
[Android Head-Units] wizzardsk:
Has anyone solved the problem of phone call routing from phone to tablet? I tried Head Unit Reloaded, but it does not work on my tablet. Also tried AutoMate app, but it does not seem to support BT connection of the phone, so I cannot make a phone call from a tablet. I know there is Tablet Talk app, but I would prefer something integrated to a head unit app.
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
Tablet talk is the closest you will get. There are others out there, but they all do the same thing as Tablet Talk. Tablet weren't meant to use as a phone, so android does not allow routing the voice over to the tablet.

I have recently tried Samsung SideSync with my Tablet A and my Note 4, it works pretty well over WIFI. All my calls and texts are routed to my tablet, and from the tablet, I can answer the call, talk and hear through the tablet or reply to a text, all from the tablet without touching the phone. But it only works through WIFI, no hotspot or bluetooth option available, which means you cannot use it in the car.

Verizon has something called VZ Messages, which allows you to get your text/voice call/voicemail through the tablet, the voice uses VoLTE to make calls, but it is the same number as your phone.
[Android Head-Units] uudruid74:
Android Auto from a commercial unit is just a display for your phone. The headunits are basically a tablet in your car. So, yes, if you loan your car to someone, they'll have access to what you installed on your car unit.

Why would you be Hangouts from your car screen? I can see installing PowerAmp on your car, but Hangouts is tough to use while you drive. Best to just keep that one on your phone, especially if you plan on loaning your car out. You can always screen mirror your phone to the car screen.

You can get a USB dongle that takes a SIM to get Internet in the car, or just turn on your phone's WiFi hotspot and let the the car connect to it. If you use Cyanogen or an app like Tasker you can have your bluetooth and mobile data turn on when it looses your house Wifi and have the hotspot turn on when the phone connects to the car's bluetooth.

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:38 PM ----------

Oh yes, it must be trolling .. because that statment somehow insulted you or made you mad? WTF? And with a thanks meter of 5 times yours, I obviously am just here to piss people off! Like I said, I owned both units and sent the KitKat unit with 2GB of RAM back and the Lollipop one with the same CPU and HALF the RAM ran better. This is consistent with Google's statements and the design of ART vs Dalvik. Its not consistent with people like you that don't know how to remove Facebook and all the other crap from your Lollipop ROM so that it will stop hogging your device.

---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 PM ----------

Huh? Why can't you use Wifi in the car? It won't work with either device in hotspot mode? What about adhoc? I would talk to the app developer about that.

---------- Post added at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

Show me the build that does that for $260

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------

Mt car wasn't equipped for a rear camera either, but for $18 it plugs right into the head-unit and I can honestly say its the best $18 I ever spent! I sometimes use a microfiber cloth to wipe mud from the lens or need to reposition it if I lean against it (partly my fault for my choice of location), but otherwise I LOVE it.

Now ... define "rather cheap". Add your arduino, all the time and money you spend hooking all this up, your OTG cables, and how much you are spending for your data streaming radio that you can have for free (without the lossy compression), and tell me how cheap this solution is compared to $199 for the Joying?? I'm not arguing. I keep hearing how everyone has solved all these problems and how cheap it is, but I'm not seeing any numbers! Teach me! At the end of the day, I want a volume knob, steering wheel buttons, Viper4Android, and my back-up camera when I'm in reverse ... ok, and Torque :)
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
The tablet install is a little big more expensive, but you get much more at the end.

I already tried 2 android head unit, and I wasn't satisfied with either. I really considered the Joying unit, the latest one with 10.1 inch/ 2G /32GB of memory and running lollipop, but they only make a custom fit for the VW, otherwise, you will have a big screen sticking out your dash, I did not like that at all. And it wasn't cheap either ($350). With the tablet install, so far, I spent $500, so a little bit more expensive.

I have been running some test in the car, and so far the sound is way better than my android head unit. The sound is amazing to say the least. The sound is coming out of the tablet through the 3.5mm jack, then goes to the Clarion Eq, then to the AMP, then speakers ( Tablet --> Clarion --> AMP --> Speakers). And I haven't even tried a USB DAC which is supposed to make the sound better. I just bought the Dragonfly USB DAC, I will try it to see if there is any difference, if not I will return the USB DAC and just use the sound from the 3.5mm jack. Nowadays, these newer tablet have pretty good built in sound processor, I was very impressed with the sound coming out of the Samsung Tablet through the 3.5mm jack.

My issue is this:

On the samsung tablet, when you increase the volume, at one point it tells you " Increasing the sound behond this limit may damage your ears, bla bla bla", and you have to press OK to increase it further. I hate that I have to do that all the time. What I want to do is increase the volume on the tablet to close to max, and use the Clarion to adjust the volume, since this is what is recommended by Clarion, also the volume on the Clarion is more linear then the volume on the tablet.

The volume knob on the Clarion is small and nice, I really like the feel of it. I want to relocate it close to my dash where I can access it easily. I am thinking of removing it and use some wires to relocate it on my dash.
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
Let's compare apple to apple:

This is the one I was considering from Joying, which is one of the better ones available on the market right now:

10.1 Inch Double 2 DIN Resolution 1024*600

JOYING Aftermarket RAM 2GB ROM 32GB

$399.00

https://www.carjoying.com/head-unit...ndroid-5-1-1-lollipop-bluetooth-4-0-audi.html

For my tablet install (What I have ordered so far):

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 inch marshmallow = $299

Clarion EQS755 Car Equalizer = $59.00

12V to 5V (3A) power supply = $12.5

OTG cable = $6.99

Joycon ( for steering wheel control) = $42

Bluetooth Receiver ( for phone calls) = $25

USB2.0 EasyCap ( for backup camera ) = $7.50

Total spent = $452

Maybe?

Dragonfly USB DAC = $99 ( there are cheaper USB DAC ) out there

Dash fabrication + Time spent building all this together = Priceless
[Android Head-Units] secured-nor1:
Buy 10000 units and I will show you how to built for 260$
[Android Head-Units] uudruid74:
That is a pointless argument. I bought 1 for $260. Telling me to spend $260,000 to get the same features is worthless.

And I have a VOLUME KNOB!
[Android Head-Units] secured-nor1:
You are comparing a DIY project with a mass production and thats not pointless?

A typical 10" 'retina' 4K screen is around 90$ for 1 unit. If you buy 1000, you can get it under 40$. Thats the point..
[Android Head-Units] uudruid74:
No .. the point is value/features for money. You seem to think its a good idea to pay more money and do extra work, and all I'm trying to do is figure out WHY.
[Android Head-Units] Zaphod-Beeblebrox:
OMG Would you two stop it.

Here's an interesting fact. People on the internet have different opinions.

If you need to ask 'Why' about a DIY project, then you clearly don't have an interest in one. DIY projects almost never make 'sense'. Everyone's reasoning varies. Could be for the simple 'I can'. Could be for some specific, esoteric function or need that isn't offered elsewhere, etc. But trying to convince each why you are 'wrong' about an opinion on either side of this is nonsensical.

I personally have 3 or 4 of the 'Chinese Tablet radios', as well as the parts/remnants from at least two different DIY projects sitting on my desk. There are reasons, advantages, disadvantages to each of them. But those reasons are almost all specific to me and my desires. Neither of you would agree with any of my choices.

But I'm OK with that.
[Android Head-Units] mckaos:
What apps can controll the climate controll?

I have been looking into my own diy by using a tablet in my car. And using a interface to hack the bmw ibus.

This was before i discovered joying. And i only knew about android auto.

Now i want a intel 10.1" single din joying.

But this will block the original climate controll in my bmw x3 e83.

I saw a video from the joying team that showed the setting everytime the adjusted the climate controll. That would be ok since i can reach the buttons and see the setting on the joying. But it would be best if i can controll it via the unit. :)

Hopefully you can help finaly find a solution on something i have been looking for for a long time :)
[Android Head-Units] isomalt:
For the numbers, here are the details of my install :

- Tablet LG G Pad 7.0 4G LTE, 50€ (second hand)

- Alpin 200W amplifier 20€ (second hand)

- Wiring harness 35€ (audio wire, power for amp)

- OTG cable and cigarette lighter charger 15€

- About Internet radio, i share 50Go per month with my phone for 20€ (but this is probably different abroad)

So you see, it stayed quiet cheap! It's true that my install is "basic" compared to the one planed by OP, but using second hand parts i did something ! And i still have budget before reaching the price of a head unit to come up with something with an arduino for steering-wheel controls

THANK YOU !
[Android Head-Units] wizzardsk:
For me the biggest problem is the tablet location. I have a nice old LG G-Slate with 8.9" HD display, but do not have the place for it. Maybe under the front window using the cell phone stand.
[Android Head-Units] secured-nor1:
People on the internet have different opinions and forums are the place that people share and discuss their ideas. Thats what we are doing now.

But now you came with some good points and stop that war =)

You can do what ever you want to do with DIY route.

To me, headunits are bit expensive for the hardware they have but the real thing is I do control ECU(traction control, launch control, logging, changing maps etc..) under Windows.

The good thing is I'm trying to learn communicating via can-bus under Android platform and now i found myself using Wireshark and sniffing the data between car and computer. I almost never make phone call or listen music in my car =)
[Android Head-Units] uudruid74:
No, I'm not trying to prove anyone wrong. I'm trying to figure out what cool **** he can do that I can't. If its really cool, I might want to do it too
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
So far it is coming along great.

My frame is not perfect, but this is the best I could do, first time doing bezel fabrication. Will try some other paint to hide the imperfections and holes...
[Android Head-Units] flash_xx:
I had a Nexus 7 installed in the car, but honestly, even with their little quirks, the Android headunit is a better solution. First, there's the radio, no battery charging hassle, location, zero fabrication, hooks up to factory speakers, doesn't attract thieves, etc. I only wish they had better screens and were faster, but I have two joying headunits and they both work great. One's Android 4.4.4 and the other 5.01. The 4.4.4 works better for some reason.

vs.
[Android Head-Units] wacko37:
Hey Guys.

Im currently a newsmy headunit user and an X Parrot asteroid smart owner.

To be honest these chinesse units are pretty poor compared to the likes of parrot but in the earliy days of the newsmy units they looked pretty promising.

To truly get what suits you best i think this is the route to go. My biggest concern is vehicle input.... Backup cam etc.

My thoughts were more on an android tv box with plenty of inputs compared to a tablet along with no battery that needs to be charged.

Then you could pick a touch monitor to your needs.

Any thoughts?
[Android Head-Units] gustden:
1. How are they violating GPL? They are using essentially unmodified ASOP 5.1.1 and adding additional packages to interface with their MCU.

2. What is so terrible about their design? Many embedded systems which uses a controller, interfaced to a CPU. The controller handles the IO for other devices and sensors. It is economical and it works very well.

How are you going to handle events, like backup signal, parking brake, key on, headlight signal, or other analog inputs you may need. Not everything is USB that you need to connect. Keep adding boxes? Why not just use one that is specifically designed for the task?

I have been developing on android since the G1 and gone through many, many android devices. Personally I am quite impressed for what I got for $250. It's a car stereo, intended to do a few specific functions ( GPS, Maps, Music, etc ) and does these very well. Considering the other non-Android head units out there, it is a real bargain in terms of overall functionality.

Hardware wise I would give my Joying unit 8/10, Software 7/10. They do need to go through their code and remove restrictions based on older hardware ( like bluetooth ), but it works pretty decent in general. What are you having problems with? How is it hopelessly flawed? There are many forums (such as xda ) that can help. If you search the forums, there is a good chance someone already has a solution for your problem.
[Android Head-Units] uudruid74:
Actually, they are violating GPL by not giving the kernel sources. Linux kernel is the only part of the system that is GPL. As for the MCU being separate, he's gonna end up with a bunch of tiny USB devices that aren't as flexible or programmable as the MCU and with less flexibility, or he'll add a Pi or BeagleBone to handle some of the functions ... which is an MCU!

And I keep asking what great features hes gonna add, and since there aren't any, he just has to make broad sweeping statements that the design is flawed. I'm out. While I agree that the software stack leaves a bit to be desired, for the target audience its likely fine. Since mine is rooted, I'll tweak the software myself.
[Android Head-Units] vassandrei:
Hey awesome, maybe some day they might doitright :) but until then we have to deal with the chinese software / hardware..

Interesting that you mentioned the delay in audio output: is there any app that will always output some sort of audio stream of "nothing"? Or something like that? because if I'm playing a song in spotify while gps navigation is running I don't get any audio cut off. Would be a quick workaround
[Android Head-Units] Zaphod-Beeblebrox:
Since this thread has seemed to devolve to a debate about Tablets/SBC's vs Headunits in general, I won't pick on anotheruserx for 'doingitright' in his explanation either :)

Despite the tone of his info, I agree with the majority of his direction. I too have done android headunits, tablet builds, and I've got a bench full of components to do the SBC route (I've got an RPI3 and an inforce SBC (the inforce is based on snapdragon 805 - it's currently available, and more than powerful enough to handle this type of thing. 820 would be nice, but probably a little overkill)).

And yes, the SBC has all of the necessary IO pins/ports to handle everything that the chinese radios do and more. And, in the long run, if done properly as he mentions, would make it a lot easier/seamless for dealing with audio paths.

One advantage we had with the Newsmy devices is that we did get a source code leak. So we could implement some proper audio focus handling even on the Radio & AUX apps, which weren't 'traditional' music apps. Android already has ALL of the necessary focus and metadata infrastructre to deal with this. You don't even need to tell some 'service app' which app is your navigation app. If the underlying apps obey focus intents, it all just works magically.

Having said that, there is one area where doing an MCU type of middle-man is beneficial. Primarily having access to things like backup cams and other in-vehicle systems at boot time. By doing this on the SBC, you'll either have to work out sleep/battery drain balance, or not have backup cam until system fully booted.

So, while the chinese hardware could be better, it is actually a reasonable approach, but the software really holds it back. If they would just open source the MCU and the android apps, we could do a TON more with their existing hardware.
[Android Head-Units] gustden:
I noticed it when I first installed, but haven't noticed it for quite awhile. When are you seeing the issue? Only when music isn't playing? I'm thinking maybe one of the apps I run at startup, is keeping the audio open, masking the problem for me.
[Android Head-Units] vassandrei:
I've just recently noticed it again.. I have a suspicion that my viper4android settings mask it depending on my settings, and I did recently change them.
[Android Head-Units] checksum123:
As uudruid pointed out, these android head will do for most people, who dont care about rooting and just need the basic functionality. They are better than any oem head unit you find in these newer car.

And I got to give it up to the Chinese also, they are the only ones making these head units.

These head units are pretty new, I am sure if you give it some time they will get better. Joying is heading into the right direction, they are upgrading their DSP, and have a pretty good customer support, they are currently working on android 7.0. So yes, the future seems brighter for these head units.