Who's interested in a full Android head unit?

[Skorov]

Originally Posted by 2forme

A lot of valid points, however it's moot in this instance. The mistake you're making is considering this as a tablet in the dash. It's not. It's a radio first, but has the ability to run Android apps. Even though it's outdated hardware, it runs nearly as smooth as my Nexus 7 tablet. Watch the videos. As far as an outdated version of Android itself. Name 5 features in ICS that would be utilized in a car radio over Froyo. And it does have 3G/4G.

I wanted something that didn't require a ton of customization to implement and looked clean. This does that, with a bonus as being a better head unit than anything in it's price range.

Playing the number game with specs and Android versions looks great on paper, but as a car stereo implementation, it's rather pointless. Find me a head unit that runs smoother than this one for anything around 700$. And does a 720p screen really matter that much in a car? I don't think the 1000$+ stereos from Kenwood or Pioneer even have that high of resolution... and they run Windows CE (eek!)

With that said, I have another Android HU coming in to test out. It's a bit more expensive (1000$) but comes with 5V pre-outs, Gingerbread, capacitive touch screen, and compatibility with Torque I'm still trying to get a group buy (for this one) going for people who don't want to spend that much on a HU and would still love a kick ass Android one.

Might this be the Ca-Fi one?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Skorov

Might this be the Ca-Fi one?

It might be.

[RedRocket]

I feel like this is the next logical step in head units, but the quality I would expect isn't there yet. These things are not much more powerful then a Raspberry Pi. I could build a hardware set to match this for under $100 bucks. Wheres Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine at in this market?

[Skorov]

Originally Posted by RedRocket

I feel like this is the next logical step in head units, but the quality I would expect isn't there yet. These things are not much more powerful then a Raspberry Pi. I could build a hardware set to match this for under $100 bucks. Wheres Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine at in this market?

Pioneer have the AppRadio 2
Clarion Mirage is set for release Q4 this year
Alphine... No idea. =P

[Draco-REX]

I just don't see why they can't take a tablet, drop a good sound processor in it and bolt it to an amp, antenna, and a USB/AUX port. Hell, have the screen flip down and put a CD reader in it for old-time's sake.

If they really want to get fancy, have the screen removeable and it'll become a 7" tablet.

Simple, intuitive, and better than anything else out there.

[Gardus@Supersprint]

@Draco-REX I wouldn't go for a "pure" tablet unless you got steering wheels buttons. It's too distracting to use a touchscreen while driving.
At least the on-off, volume and the track +/- need to be physical buttons.

[zohare]

I have been contemplating this as well... I know people who've done it in miatas and run megasquirt do they can log and its in development but tune some as well and then have Pandora gps and whatever else. I think the nexus 7 would be a great start but it would need a custom rom to be completely integrated and smooth where power on/off w vehicle is automatic, voodoo sound is built in, etc. Would definitely be a build. Especially to have full 5.1 audio control with fade balance sub controls etc

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Gardus

@Draco-REX I wouldn't go for a "pure" tablet unless you got steering wheels buttons. It's too distracting to use a touchscreen while driving.
At least the on-off, volume and the track +/- need to be physical buttons.

On the stock BRZ head unit, the track +/- is on the screen. It's *REALLY* annoying. A responsive touch screen would be a huge improvement.

As for volume, I've seen good volume apps with a big slider across the bottom of the screen. That would be fine for driving, as would big + and - buttons. I don't fiddle with my volume all that much when in motion.

[Gardus@Supersprint]

I'm so used to have the ipod connected to the car and control it by the steering wheel stalk that I really see the touch screen as an impracticality.

[TIE Pilot]

if controls by steering wheel is a must, io play and parrot mki9000 may be a solution ($$$)

[greenguy101]

It was just announced yesterday that Parrott will be producing 3 new Android based head units. It looks as if for safety a lot of the Android features may have been scaled back but this might be a good option for those who were looking for a more "recognizable" name brand. Here is a link to the article:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7...s-to-its-belt/

[2forme]

Originally Posted by greenguy101

It was just announced yesterday that Parrott will be producing 3 new Android based head units. It looks as if for safety a lot of the Android features may have been scaled back but this might be a good option for those who were looking for a more "recognizable" name brand. Here is a link to the article:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7...s-to-its-belt/

I really wish they would have included a volume knob. They also didn't release any hardware specs (cpu, gpu, ram, etc). I am also weary of the "Asteroid Market".

[Norkoastal]

If only HTC would jump into this arena... Their marketshare of phones is shrinking with Sammy and Nokia ramping up..

[greenguy101]

Originally Posted by 2forme

I really wish they would have included a volume knob. They also didn't release any hardware specs (cpu, gpu, ram, etc). I am also weary of the "Asteroid Market".

I hear ya. To me it almost looks like an "App" radio but running an Android OS instead of using an Iphone. But im sure the programmers in the group could probably unlock the full potential of the headunit and use the Android market instead of the watered down Astroid market.