Who's interested in a full Android head unit?

[Gardus@Supersprint]

The thing is...you can have a Mini PC UG808 with ICS/Jellybean, a 1.6 ghz CPU, for 70$..
So why this kind of hardware can't be integrated in a similar HU?
Same thing with chinese tablet with bigger screen and higer resolutions, like the Pipo U1 with a 7" IPS display 1280x720, same 1.6 ghz CPU and a good GPU...$ 150!
This hardware in the same chassis, without the CD player, would be perfect.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Gardus

The thing is...you can have a Mini PC UG808 with ICS/Jellybean, a 1.6 ghz CPU, for 70$..
So why this kind of hardware can't be integrated in a similar HU?
Same thing with chinese tablet with bigger screen and higer resolutions, like the Pipo U1 with a 7" IPS display 1280x720, same 1.6 ghz CPU and a good GPU...$ 150!
This hardware in the same chassis, without the CD player, would be perfect.

I completely agree. I would love to do a Kickstarter, but wouldn't even know the first place to begin for getting the stuff manufactured.

Toss in a Tegra 3, HD IPS, 16GB of onboard, Bluetooth, Internal Amp, GPS, and WiFi, then write the APK's to handle car related stuff. Boom, awesome unit.

Unfortunately, our options aren't there yet. This is the first real plunge into android on car units. So maybe if it takes off, we will see more manufacturers competing for it?

[Reason]

Curious, you say that for torque to work you have to use wifi... but this unit has a bluetooth chip for the phone integration. Is the limitation software related?

[Gardus@Supersprint]

I'm probably wrong but I think the bluetooth-OBDII interfaces don't work on Android and Torque...

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Gardus

I'm probably wrong but I think the bluetooth-OBDII interfaces don't work on Android and Torque...

No, bluetooth OBD2 works fine with my phone.

I just called the manufacturer to ask about it. They are going to get back to me either tonight or tomorrow.

[2forme]

So I'm considering creating a custom car-centric home launcher for the head unit. Something that's customizable and makes navigating around a head unit easier. Being a software architect, it should be within the realm of possibility

Would anyone be interested in that as well? Post any ideas or concerns!

[michaelahess]

Hate to compare to an iDevice but some simple tiles would suffice, no need for something too complicated, just dropping the most used apps on the desktop is all ya really need.

Now if you could implement the backend of each app, radio, media player, nav, etc into a single interface, that would be different. A complete reskin as such where you never leave the home "app."

If you do that, then I like the existing BRZ format, source on the left, just make it customizable, settings and other option things on the bottom, then the rest of the space for media and nav. The left bar should autohide and come back if a tap is detected somewhere other than an existing soft button.

[Smudgeous]

Originally Posted by 2forme

So I'm considering creating a custom car-centric home launcher for the head unit. Something that's customizable and makes navigating around a head unit easier. Being a software architect, it should be within the realm of possibility

Would anyone be interested in that as well? Post any ideas or concerns!

Code on, fellow coder

I haven't gotten my hands muddied in much of any Android dev yet, and no idea how much time I'd have to help on the coding side, but if you ever want to throw ideas off of me, feel free

[DKPJester]

Originally Posted by Smudgeous

Code on, fellow coder

I haven't gotten my hands muddied in much of any Android dev yet, and no idea how much time I'd have to help on the coding side, but if you ever want to throw ideas off of me, feel free

I was thinking the same actually. I'm a coder by trade but I've only toyed with the android tools. With our powers combined.....

[2forme]

I got a buddy of mine who's a graphic artist coming up with some proof of concept shots. Should I start another thread or just post in this one?

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by 2forme

I got a buddy of mine who's a graphic artist coming up with some proof of concept shots. Should I start another thread or just post in this one?

I have been working on my ELA interface for WinCE vehicles for over a year and now have a working version for Android, any interest in working on a joint venture? Do you have any development experience on Android?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I have been working on my ELA interface for WinCE vehicles for over a year and now have a working version for Android, any interest in working on a joint venture? Do you have any development experience on Android?

This is my first venture into Android specific development but I've been a software architect for the past 5-6 years and developing for 12.

[DKPJester]

This Android HU really brought out the nerds. Is there anyone on this thread that doesn't write or design software for a living? I also noticed on the list your profession boards that there are a ton of software/IT people. I wonder what it is about this car.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by 2forme

This is my first venture into Android specific development but I've been a software architect for the past 5-6 years and developing for 12.

Ok good luck!