A new alternative to Android head units...
 

Ok, so I've been doing some research and tinkering. I've come across a pretty interesting solution to the whole crappy outdated Android head unit debacle.

First, I'll tease with a video....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs_zFqXWLig"]App Radio 2 Unleashed - YouTube[/ame]

What you see here, is a Pioneer App Radio 2 running full phone mirroring AND touch response. This is done via MHL (or HDMI) and bluetooth connections from the phone to the head unit. There is an app on Google Play that liberates the prior constraints of the radio.

Cost Breakdown
Pioneer AppRadio 2 ... 389$
Pioneer Android kit ......60$
ARLiberator app ..........35$

So for less than 500$ you have a name brand radio running your phone interface.

Restrictions

Nothing is ever flawless, there are some restrictions.

• Phone must be rooted.
• Phone must have an HDMI or MHL output and bluetooth.

Now I'll put up some Q&A

Will this drain my battery?
If you purchase the Pioneer Android kit (CDAH200C), then no. It will charge your phone while connected.

How is the sound quality?
Not bad, Pioneer generally doesn't let down in that department. Sound coming from the phone is digital over HDMI.

Is there a parking brake restriction?
Yes. You can't just ground the parking brake. Pioneer has gotten smarter and makes you perform a "brake on, brake off, brake on" procedure before letting you into phone mode. To solve this, I grounded the brake wire and lead it into the glove box, attached to a switch. When that message comes up, I flick the switch on and off. It doesn't show up again until you restart the head unit.

How is the head units touch screen?
It is capacitive and very responsive. You can see how it interacts with the phone in the video.

Can the phone be connected to the head unit and an OBD2 adapter for Torque?
Yes.

Where can I find the app?
The link for the app on the google play store is here.

What about GPS or microphone reception if I shove my phone in the glovebox?
Pioneer actually includes a GPS dongle and microphone dongle for the back of the head unit and it shares these with the phone.

So far, this is the closest we've come to a complete solution. People want the latest and greatest tech in their head unit, well until they build one with the hardware inside, this is the next best thing. Just buy a cheap older phone or tablet with MHL/HDMI out and throw it in the glove box and call it a day.

I will apologize to those I've steered away from the AppRadio. Until VERY recently, I wasn't aware of this solution. I literally did the install 2 hours ago and set everything up! I hope this makes things easy for some of you!

Nice write-up. However, I'm a bit confused why you decided to switch things up. In your audio build, you were claiming the no-name Android HU to be pretty incredible. These are your words from the thread:

"I've played with and owned a number of double din "all-in-one" head units ranging from Kenwoods, to Pioneers, to Alpines, and even a Clarion mixed in there. They all pale in comparison"

So, why the change? I'm genuinely curious. Are you preferring this solution over your last one? If the Pioneer "paled in comparison", why go to Pioneer now?

^^^ What he said.

Also, this solution wouldn't work if you don't have an Andriod based phone. I'm using an iPhone 5 myself so I'd probably have to stick with the other units like that Ca-Fi knockoff.

This is the best solution I've seen it. Pioneer has ALWAYS been my preferred headunit. I just like the audio they produce and feel their UI is typically the best.

I'm intrigued.

If you don't have an Android phone you, sir, are doing it wrong.

Ideally I'd love to see how this thing works in person.

Well, my Ca-Fi unit started having issues, and after spending almost 200$ to ship it back, I decided to look into other avenues.

From a functionality standpoint, having android on the native unit is the best solution. The physical interface of the ca-fi is great for the car. You get a volume knob and hard buttons to do all the navigating. Not to mention the android interface is far superior to anything Pioneer, Kenwood, or Clarion has available.

However, for those who don't want to buy a China HU for 500 bux, or want a capacitive touch screen, or want Torque... and already have a fast, rooted phone or tablet. This is a better solution. I bought it from Best Buy, so no shipping to China if it fails.

I'm probably going to pick up a cheap 7" ICS tablet with USB and MHL, and just toss it in my glovebox. That would prevent the need to keep hooking the phone up. I wonder if the nexus 7 has this capability...

I think Pioneer has an adapter for the new lightning enabled iDevices. But I am not sure if the third party app is available for iOS.

Looks like there is a connection kit for the iPhone 5 as well.... though you're still doing it wrong :)

You're welcome to come up whenever you dig yourself out ;) haha

I absolutely LOVE the idea of google maps navigation in my headunit.... along with everything else my galaxy nexus is capable of.

Did I just reply to this thread 5 (wait... 6) times? I guess I really am excited about this.

I knew that Pioneer would be too smart to stick to iPhone as the primary beneficiary of the Appradio since while they are the single biggest selling phone there are SIGNIFICANTLY more android based phones in use out there.

Edit: 7

Well, Chewie, before you get too excited... Pioneer had the Android functionality locked down. It was a third party developer that wrote the app to enable this functionality.

I bought a new snowblower this year and after trading my Wrangler in on the FRS I bought a 98 Jeep Cherokee as a second car since I drive ALL OVER new england for work.

In other words.... dig out of what?