Who's interested in a full Android head unit?

[gerrylum]

I just ordered one of the Ca-Fi "imitations" off of ebay for about $350:

It's not branded Ca-Fi, but the design and the specs (1ghz CPU, 512mb RAM, Android 2.3) seem to be very similar to the Ca-Fi 621000. Hopefully that means this has a capacative touch screen, but even if it's resistive, I think I can live with that.

I figure Ca-Fi probably gets their units from the same manufacturers anyway.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by gerrylum

I just ordered one of the Ca-Fi "imitations" off of ebay for about $350:

It's not branded Ca-Fi, but the design and the specs (1ghz CPU, 512mb RAM, Android 2.3) seem to be very similar to the Ca-Fi 621000. Hopefully that means this has a capacative touch screen, but even if it's resistive, I think I can live with that.

I figure Ca-Fi probably gets their units from the same manufacturers anyway.

Yes, they do. I asked them.

Sadly it is a resistive screen. And I don't think it has the USB driver for Torque like the Ca-Fi one. But I have been told that they have plans of upgrading/updating the Ca-Fi one in the future (which is the reason for the second SD slot).

However my hope is one day being able to rip the ROM off the Ca-Fi unit and install it on the imitation unit. I've already managed to snag an "update" file from them and know which app they use to upload it. I'd like to get together with @ProTekk at some point and see what we can figure out.

[ProTekk]

Originally Posted by 2forme

Yes, they do. I asked them.

Sadly it is a resistive screen. And I don't think it has the USB driver for Torque like the Ca-Fi one. But I have been told that they have plans of upgrading/updating the Ca-Fi one in the future (which is the reason for the second SD slot).

However my hope is one day being able to rip the ROM off the Ca-Fi unit and install it on the imitation unit. I've already managed to snag an "update" file from them and know which app they use to upload it. I'd like to get together with @ProTekk at some point and see what we can figure out.

I've been hella busy with work. @2forme would this weekend be a possibility?

[2forme]

Originally Posted by ProTekk

I've been hella busy with work. @2forme would this weekend be a possibility?

Sure. I don't think I have much going on.

[Trinitrate]

Originally Posted by 2forme

Actually the bluetooth portion of the adayo is locked only to using it for the phone/music. Same on the Ca-Fi.

Any chance you'd be willing to make a copy of the GPS SD card that comes with the Adayo for me?

Thats too bad about the bluetooth option.. I can see someone wantint to play a ROM emulator with a BT game controller while hanging out somewhere.. (that would be pretty cool but a little too geeky for even me)..

I havent pulled the trigger on the adayo unit yet. If I do, Ill let you know about the software.. considering the generic ca-fi too... Doubting the reliability of a chineese knockoff with no real warranty, so risking $400 vs. $650 or $1000 looks more tempting. I would really love the Torque functionality though..

[coyote]

What about using a wifi OBD transmitter, rather than a bluetooth one?

[gerrylum]

Originally Posted by Trinitrate

considering the generic ca-fi too... Doubting the reliability of a chineese knockoff with no real warranty, so risking $400 vs. $650 or $1000 looks more tempting. I would really love the Torque functionality though..

It's not technically a knockoff since it comes from the same manufacturer. Also, the one I got off of eBay has a 12 month warranty.

[Trinitrate]

Originally Posted by gerrylum

It's not technically a knockoff since it comes from the same manufacturer. Also, the one I got off of eBay has a 12 month warranty.

I hear you, I kinda mean all of these... They're backed by no-name mfg's, not "Alpine" or "Kenwood" and would have a hard time getting proper warrantee work. A couple of the U.S. ebay sellers are claiming they'll handle warrantee, but that does still mean a mail in service.

Dont get me wrong, for the geek factor alone, I'm going to try it!

[Dezoris]

I have been through 3 chinese HU now. They all have their pros and cons. But none have all the features you would want and audio quality is below average. I cant get over the older versions of Android.

[Wes]

Wow that is definitely cool!! I would definitely go for this if I were to upgrade.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I have been through 3 chinese HU now. They all have their pros and cons. But none have all the features you would want and audio quality is below average. I cant get over the older versions of Android.

These are a bit different than your "Eonons" or "Pumpkins" lol

What kind of advantage do you feel ICS would have over Gingerbread for the car?

I tried an OBD wifi, but that requires a rooted ICS system. The Ca-Fi manages to use a USB OBD because of a modified USB driver to work on Gingerbread. If I can just get that driver out of the head unit......

[Dezoris]

There are a few major things. Jelly Bean/ICS supports lastest launchers which is critical for making android more touch friendly. Support for higher screen res and pixel density. They are more heavily optimized for newer processors. Video player software is also optimized now for hardware accelerated dual core and video GPUs which means with ICS and Jelly Bean you can actually play all video formats smoothly. You wont be able to playback 720/1080 mkv files on these old 2.3 headunits with 800/1000mhz cpus.

Then there is GAPPS which I said before the latest version of google maps, local, g+, voice search and gmail will not run on 2.3. The lastest versions are FAR ahead in tech. Thats a deal breaker for me in the car. The whole point of android in the car is not to be locked down

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

There are a few major things. Jelly Bean/ICS supports lastest launchers which is critical for making android more touch friendly. Support for higher screen res and pixel density. They are more heavily optimized for newer processors. Video player software is also optimized now for hardware accelerated dual core and video GPUs which means with ICS and Jelly Bean you can actually play all video formats smoothly. You wont be able to playback 720/1080 mkv files on these old 2.3 headunits with 800/1000mhz cpus.

Then there is GAPPS which I said before the latest version of google maps, local, g+, voice search and gmail will not run on 2.3. The lastest versions are FAR ahead in tech. Thats a deal breaker for me in the car. The whole point of android in the car is not to be locked down

Some of that is true. Some isn't. I don't know how often you plan to watch movies while driving, much less HD ones on a 6 inch screen from the front seat. You're wrong in that 1GHz is plenty for 720p mkv. I know because there are currently a half dozen bluray rips on my SD card, converted to 720p.

Truth is, for what you use a head unit for, its perfectly fine. I can check gmail but can't think of anyone who would type one from a head unit, voice search does work...and well at that. I don't use google maps because an offline solution is a better fit for car operation.

Where you are right is not being able to use the latest and greatest launcher, but honestly, there isn't a launcher that's better than this or that for a car. I'm planning on changing that by developing a launcher for android that can work well for head units. From my studies I don't need ICS to do it.

Regardless, as a head unit, its better than your kenwoods and pioneers which are even more outdated hardware wise. And they cost more. But the trade off is you just drive to best buy whenever they have problems. You may just get your ICS head units in the future, then all the android number buffs will be happy :-)

[gerrylum]

Received my head unit on Friday and installed it yesterday. So far so good, though I haven't got my steering wheel controls connected yet, nor the rear-view camera that came with it. I'll post a video review soon.