Database Users

Nexus one via USB Car Headunit

Hello people!
My headunit was recently purchased (before I bought the Nexus One) for my iPhone 3G-S 32gig...
The iPhone unfortunately went for a swim...so I decided to try out the Nexus one for the **** of it.
Now, before, when I had the iPhone... the headunit played all audio, music, navigation via the USB port flawlessly... track information was pushed to the headunit and everything
With the N1 however, I can only use it via USB in "mount" mode... only able to read files directly, no audio streams!
While this wouldn't normally be a problem... the folders are SO disorganized, and my unit will look at ALL .mp3 files on the card... and that can be troublesome with the various ringtones and notification sounds that I have...
So I have resorted to bluetooth
This was not the intention with this headunit however...and I am searching amongst the forums for a "USB Streaming" solution that works LIKE the iPhone
Judging by the Desktop Dock by Google, the audio can indeed be streamed via USB (I am aware the dock can also communicate via Bluetooth...but I'm pretty sure the video demonstration I saw displayed the dock working via USB and via Bluetooth)
Any solutions??
I haven't rooted my phone yet, but will if I need to!

As a mobile electronics installer, i can tell you your most likely out of luck.
What head unit do you have? model number and brand.
the reason it works for iphone is many common electronics come with a stamp that says made for iphone... as ipods are synonymous with mp3's these days, and the units are programmed to read an ipod's files like an ipod does.
perhaps with androids growth, some manufacturers will begin offering made for android stuff. its possible.
I know I'll get flamed for this, lol, but I use my n1 while driving and hate cords in my way, so i just use the bluetooth for phone calls and I keep an Ipod Touch in my glove box hooked up to my head unit, or take the SD Card out of my phone and put it into my headunit.

Most of the USB setups were made with Apple in mind. That's just the way it is.
Be glad you can use Bluetooth.
Currently the only way to do it, is via mounting. Otherwise the Head unit has no way of knowing what's on the SD card. Blame Apple for being proprietary @$$hats imho.
As for me, I use BT Audio every, single day with my N1. (I listen to approx 2 hours of audiobooks daily + Navigation as needed, and sometimes Pandora. It works perfect)

it is a kenwood excelon x993

"This CD receiver is not only iPhone and iPod ready, it also includes a unique EQ feature that extracts the best possible sound from the iPod, iTouch or iPhone."
- from a review of your head unit.
maybe soon we'll see one that says "google ready."

Android HU: Junsun DVD-9.0-AN Android 4.4.4 9.0 inch

I was considering this HU for my 2016 VW Polo since I don't care much about having a DVD slot. The title for this HU says DVD but it doesn't sport a drive. Though the spec seems good (RK3188) and the price isn't much either I didn't find any reviews or information about this HU on XDA (or outside).
There are couple of places this is being sold from Ali express to GearBest and also on their own website.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this one? Specifically I was looking for community support (root, custom firmware). Since this sports a RK3188 chip can other ROMs be used on this? Also the HU has a very thin form factor (compared to other HUs) - so would heat be an issue?

Who knows?
It doesn't have a volume control knob, if you can live with that. Personally, on screen adjustments for volume, track selection, "back," and on/off is very unhandy and annoying. You can't just reach up and adjust it with out looking. Also the volume steps of the touch controls are not always small enough to set a precise level. These units, with no US contacts or service, are a pain if you need something. Carjoying is in the US and quite responsive. Updates are also made.....who knows about those other relatively unknown products. They may never update and may no work with other software. I have never seen a 9" screen wonder if the thin bezel is just a half inch smaller and uncovering the edges of an 8" panel. This is just conjecture but perhaps worth considering.

cardio77 said:
It doesn't have a volume control knob, if you can live with that. Personally, on screen adjustments for volume, track selection, "back," and on/off is very unhandy and annoying. You can't just reach up and adjust it with out looking. Also the volume steps of the touch controls are not always small enough to set a precise level. These units, with no US contacts or service, are a pain if you need something. Carjoying is in the US and quite responsive. Updates are also made.....who knows about those other relatively unknown products. They may never update and may no work with other software. I have never seen a 9" screen wonder if the thin bezel is just a half inch smaller and uncovering the edges of an 8" panel. This is just conjecture but perhaps worth considering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I ended up placing an order for this unit instead. I dropped the other one mainly due to there being hardly any orders and reviews. I also did not get any proper responses from the sellers regarding that unit - probably since its new and they are themselves unaware of its features/fit. I agree about the support issues but I also had a tight budget and as long as it works fine :fingers-crossed: I should be OK. Importing these into India attracts a sizable customs duty The unit I bought costed me about $190 shipped via FedEx so I expect the customs would be proportionately lower.
Regarding the volume I have steering wheel controls which should serve the purpose of physical buttons. Though I agree that having a knob is more convenient I also kind of like the flush surface of these full touch units - lesser issues of dust settling.
I will post an update here once I get the unit and install it. BTW the reviews for this on AliExpress are excellent - would love to hear from anyone already owning this. I asked the seller about rooting and custom firmware (kind of essential for android units) but didn't hear anything positive This lack of support and the fact that this is an AllWinner solution (R16 QuadCore Cortex A7) were the only two drawbacks I saw in it (given its price).

How to root Junsun Android 4.4.4
I purchased this unit also from gearbest and like some things about it, but question other things.
The good:
1. The unit is ridiculously thin for a car stereo. There is no CD/DVD player
2. Sound is actually decent. Little difference from the stock unit
3. The home page with rotating icons is cool and different. I can also put a live wallpaper behind it
4. Mirroring app works ok, but I'd rather tether.
5. I can play videos and music on a USB flash drive
The bad:
1. I can't launch other apps and listen to music at the same time. (i.e. when I load Google Maps, radio stops)
2. No native capability to bluetooth tether. USB tethering with EasyTether also didn't work.
3. There are no microsd inputs like other Chinese Android units I've see thus far. I can connect a USB drive to 2 available connectors routed from the back of the unit. This isn't necessarily bad. Just requires different process for rooting that's TBD.
4. Instructions are only in chinese. Don't know who really makes this device, or how to get their technical support. So far, gearbest has provided some answers, but they're far from accurate!
So that said, I'd like to root and install some different apps and drivers that might make USB or bluetooth tethering possible. And that might allow me to listen to radio or USB music or Pandora while I have something else like Torque or Waze running.
Here are settings from the unit:
OS Version/Build Version: JAX1602191130G-WQ-16EN
MCU Version: 201512161416-SLX7786-GEN
CPU Model: RKPX3
Android: 4.4.4
There is also a 'system' page, where I can go to advanced, press 1234 as the password (found it through trial and error) . A screen is then available to upgrade MCU or firmware. However, I don't know where the files should be placed for this screen to register them.
Any pointers on process to root this and/or install something like Malaysk Firmware? Thanks!

poseidonsf said:
I purchased this unit also from gearbest and like some things about it, but question other things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations! Like I said I dropped the idea of buying this due to reasons mentioned above.
poseidonsf said:
1. I can't launch other apps and listen to music at the same time. (i.e. when I load Google Maps, radio stops)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really bad since it defeats the whole purpose of an Android-based HU. Are you using the stock music app or trying something you installed?
poseidonsf said:
2. No native capability to bluetooth tether. USB tethering with EasyTether also didn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think all these units restrict the bluetooth to the MCU and is generally not available to other apps. Though I am not sure how Torque works.
poseidonsf said:
3. There are no microsd inputs like other Chinese Android units I've see thus far. I can connect a USB drive to 2 available connectors routed from the back of the unit. This isn't necessarily bad. Just requires different process for rooting that's TBD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you mean micro-USB and not micro-SD? I too have the same issue with my unit. I don't know how to connect it to the PC.
poseidonsf said:
4. Instructions are only in chinese. Don't know who really makes this device, or how to get their technical support. So far, gearbest has provided some answers, but they're far from accurate!
So that said, I'd like to root and install some different apps and drivers that might make USB or bluetooth tethering possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a problem with most Chinese purchases - informed support is almost non-existent. However since you have an RK3188 based unit I think some of the support threads here may match your unit (at least partially). First try to get into the extra setting menu using the passwords given in the RK3188 threads and rooting as well. You need to find the thread that matches best to your unit/firmware based on trying out the various settings/tweaks. Don't flash anything till you are certain you are in the correct support thread. All the best!

poseidonsf said:
I purchased this unit also from gearbest and like some things about it, but question other things.
1. I can't launch other apps and listen to music at the same time. (i.e. when I load Google Maps, radio stops)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure that this is some soft/firmware restriction. Android 4.4 has a native support of multitasking, so it should be by default in any of core versions of this OS. Main problem that I didn't find any resources where this issue was resolved.

Mine will !
VladVell said:
I am sure that this is some soft/firmware restriction. Android 4.4 has a native support of multitasking, so it should be by default in any of core versions of this OS. Main problem that I didn't find any resources where this issue was resolved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From home screen touch Radio icon, then from Radio app touch home icon on top left, back to home, start app you want. Radio continues on my radio from CarJoying. Works fine;

cardio77 said:
From home screen touch Radio icon, then from Radio app touch home icon on top left, back to home, start app you want. Radio continues on my radio from CarJoying. Works fine;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it was so easy... )) On this HU someone just ****ed up with firmware configuration... I'll try to fix it .... well on my free time. Luck for us it's an opensource os

VladVell said:
If it was so easy... )) On this HU someone just ****ed up with firmware configuration... I'll try to fix it .... well on my free time. Luck for us it's an opensource os
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really awful - how can they sell a "Android" HU with such limitation? You should give the seller an earful and a bad review for the unit so they are forced to fix it!

I have the same unit also , the camera doesn't show when I am in reverse mode , the steering wheel don't work with the radio, rkpx3 model

I need to know what MCU is installed on this unit . Someone has any clues ?

You can have a glance at this Pumpkin HU for VW, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pumpkin-Android-Navigation-Subwoofer-Multimedia/dp/B01D30XDXY/

Lol. Even on the official video where this HU was demonstrated , MCU version is 'unknown' ))) http://screencast.com/t/RnQxbkAZBaWX

VladVell said:
I need to know what MCU is installed on this unit . Someone has any clues ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this device.
The menu is exactly the same, firmware is the same: JAX1603281325G-WQ-16EN.
There's a microSD slot on the front panel.
MCU version: 201601251011-SLX7786-GEN .
Built-in player and radio can not work in the background, and this is the biggest trouble. There is not a full solution is to install third - party players who know how to work in the background, for example: BlackPlayer. But unfortunately, in third-party players do not switch tracks from the steering buttons. Adjust the volume and MUTE works as it should, because these buttons are programmed for the entire system. I liked that as a quick call navigation, you can assign any button on the steering wheel and choose any app.
The unit is decent, especially for the price. But such silly mistake with a built-in player and radio can wipe out all the pluses. Wrote to the seller, promised to talk to the engineer, perhaps

Typo?
dahkob said:
There's a microSD slot on the front panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that a typo? There is NO microSD slot on this unit. You can connect a USB Flash Drive to the USB connections on the back of the unit though.

poseidonsf said:
Is that a typo? There is NO microSD slot on this unit. You can connect a USB Flash Drive to the USB connections on the back of the unit though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. I have already found it when disassembled this HU. Its located on left edge of device. You can use it to flash ROM , or like normal SD... Now I working with stock firmware, trying to solve all issue mentioned in this thread. Its not so easy... bcz this MCU and firmware are not usual for this type of HU, and I didn't worked with this OS before ).

VladVell said:
No. I have already found it when disassembled this HU. Its located on left edge of device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yeah, you're right! Don't know how I overlooked that before. Good find VladVell!

VladVell said:
No. I have already found it when disassembled this HU. Its located on left edge of device. You can use it to flash ROM , or like normal SD... Now I working with stock firmware, trying to solve all issue mentioned in this thread. Its not so easy... bcz this MCU and firmware are not usual for this type of HU, and I didn't worked with this OS before ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that the built-in player and radio do not have the manifest permissions to change the audio system settings ("modify audio settings"). Using APKEditor added this line to manifest, but to save, unfortunately, did not work, because I get the error message: the program is already installed and is missing a digital signature. If necessary I can put the modified and the original source code of the apk "music" and "radio"... Now are struggling with receiving the digital signature, the idea is APK Editor must sign the modified apk with the native signature. Apparently, there is some protection.

n the process of using the device revealed the following shortcomings (about the first two already written):
1. Not running in the background built-in music player . That is, when playing music you can't use Navigator. You have to use one or the other.
2. Not running in the background built-in radio programme. That is, while playing the radio you can't use Navigator. You have to use one or the other.
3. Not running in the background audioclub built-in bluetooth . That is, when playing music from phone via bluetooth you can't use Navigator. So you have to use one or the other.
4. After the completion of the incoming call via the bluetooth Protocol SOMETIMES falls off the sound of the entire device. Most likely, the audio service bluetooth does not give audio device. You have to reboot the head unit by switching off the ignition.
5. I really want the joystick on the steering wheel could switch tracks on ALL the audio players and not just on the built.
6. Lost sound player and radio when you lock the screen (press on the power button), which is very inconvenient at night, since I want to eyes did not detract.
7. It is unclear how sync contacts via bluetooth. Some appear, some don't.

I received from the seller working firmware, music is now able to work together with NAV. If anyone needs - let me know.

Screen mirroring and phone control?

Hey guys, I usually just lurkj the forums but I figured it is time to ask the pros. First off, this is the unit I am installing today: Seems i cannot post the link but here is the title. from amazon Pumpkin Quad Core 7 inch 2 DIN Universal Android 4.4 Car Stereo Radio HD 1024*600 Muti-touch Screen GPS Navigation Without DVD Player Support WIFI/3G/Bluetooth/OBD2/DVR/Mirror Link
I am running a t-mobile service on my phone and I get free data for certain streaming apps. Its pretty cool. Anyway, I just learned that using the phone as a hotspot and then using one of these streaming apps on the device, in this case the new stereo, it does use my data plan... bummer. Anyway I am wondering if there is a wireless mirroring solution that would work and have control over the phone using the touch screen on the receiver? If there is not, how about a wired solution? I have looked into things like android auto. Does that actually work descent and on our receivers? Thanks everyone and a little nudge in the right direction would be awesome :good:

The pumpkin deck has a really basic bluetooth audio interface. I guess that would be the main thing I would like to change. I use Pandora alot and the interface on the deck is really basic. It gives me the option to skip track and play/pause. If I could at least get a similar interface to my old pioneer deck (id3 tags, thumb up/down) that would be cool. Or even a front end app, now that would rock.... Thanks again.

Advice on what to buy

Hello all,
I'm after a new head unit for my truck, I use the truck for a lot of off roading and for this I use an android based maping software!
So I'm after a single din android head unit with a flip up screen, the ability to transmit to other screens (thinking about a sunvisor screen) it would be nice if I could have a camera input or two, and the ability to connect my phone for handfree phone calls! Also due to the mapping software GPS capabilities, optinal it would be nice to plug a hddd or memory stick with into it for music input
Does anyone have any advice on what would fit my needs?
Thenskae505

My only issue is ruggedness. Sounds like you may want to look at a tablet worth a holder.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk

I currently use a tablet, problem I have with it is the tablets I have used 7inch and 10 inch are very bulky, I like the idea of a headunit because it can retract, if I was to mount a tablet it would cover some of my other dials/controls! Also I use the truck for work every day and having a tablet on display wouldn't be a good idea
Is an android headunit really less rugged then the cd player I currently have??

what vehicle is it?

If you are comparing to a name brand unit like Kenwood or pioneer. I would have to say yes
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk

It's a mitsubishi pajero,
I don't think ruggedNess would be a problem buts it's a risk I'm going to take!

do they make a vehicle specific unit? that would be the best for less bumping around

CadillacMike said:
do they make a vehicle specific unit? that would be the best for less bumping around
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not, it's just an old school single din head unit slot!

thesnake505 said:
Hello all,
I'm after a new head unit for my truck, I use the truck for a lot of off roading and for this I use an android based maping software!
So I'm after a single din android head unit with a flip up screen, the ability to transmit to other screens (thinking about a sunvisor screen) it would be nice if I could have a camera input or two, and the ability to connect my phone for handfree phone calls! Also due to the mapping software GPS capabilities, optinal it would be nice to plug a hddd or memory stick with into it for music input
Does anyone have any advice on what would fit my needs?
Thenskae505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thesnake505 said:
It's a mitsubishi pajero,
I don't think ruggedNess would be a problem buts it's a risk I'm going to take!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A single din head unit with the flip out display will sooner than later break or wear out the motorized gear assembly or ribbon cable. This is especially true with any of the android head units available today and even more so when any of these units are used off road. That said, you can still listen to music on the android single din head units with the display retracted. Although, not being able to use the display while off road defeats the purpose of having it for gps or cameras etc.. To clarify a little more, I had a single din android hu in my 3rd gen montero limited (same as the larger size pajero or shogun, but not the sport), and the display was no where near strong enough to handle all the bouncing around while off road. In turn, I relocated the heater - ac controls to the wallet pocket in the upper center console and installed a double din joying hu. This may or not be an option for you too, depending on how your specific pajero dash, heater - ac controls, center console, and wallet pocket align.
As to the ability to transmit to other displays, I'm not aware of any decent android hu options for that except for maybe the Newsmy Carpad units that use hdmi out on a separate android box to feed its double din display. Please note that most android units will only display a dvd to another screen, and the dvd's only transmitted through the micro controller unit and not through the android system. Nonetheless, there may be a couple of different units out now that may be able to push what's on the main display to other displays, but again I'm not aware of any myself. Hopefully someone here will be able to chime in with some good suggestions for that.
In regard to hands free phone calls via bt to the hu, that's possible, although the voice quality and volume level can be sub par on many units without a hardware mod and a decent quality external mic.
For cameras, I set up a waterproof front camera just below the front bumper license plate frame that runs through the AV-in input. It's used as a front parking and off road camera. I also installed a rear waterproof back up camera with on-off switches, so it can be viewed at any time or turned off completely. Please note that neither of these cameras have dvr capabilities, so I installed a thinkware 750 front and rear camera kit plus three more 1080p dvr type cameras to help cover and record the front, rear, and side views.
With regard to using a hard drive or memory stick, both should work, but neither has been needed here. This is due to the joying hu having two micro sd card slots, and I've had no problem running fat32 formatted 64GB and 128GB sdxc cards packed with music, vids, pics, etc..
Bottom line is that you'll most likely regret a flip out hu unless you do not mind fixing or replacing it sooner than later. Plus, IMHO, most if not all aftermarket flip up displays are too slow, annoying, and clunky.
Best of luck,
R

So having read and took on board what yoy have said, what double din unit would be recommended? ?

Confused with options for a Highlander

I found this site from a comment on a youtube video where I was researching options for getting a head unit that is better than Toyota included for my Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid. I'm sorry for the length of this post but I spent hours reading and watching youtube and I think I'm on right path, but I feel like I just need a little validation...
For reference, I'm an Apple mobile and tablet user but I owned a Samsung phone for about 3 months so I know what an Android launcher and the marketplace is. I know there are stores for hacked products, but I ended up with ads all over that phone so I prefer not to go that route. I'm not a big tinkerer - once I get something set where I want it, I won't usually change the settings unless I find a need.
I think my post will give you a good idea about what level of knowledge I have - at least you know I tried. If there is highlander or hybrid specific feedback I'm overlooking somewhere, please let me know. If I'm missing something key to decide between systems let me know.
1. When I look at the forum categories, they are broken up into terms I'm not familiar with. I believe FYT Android is where I need to focus because I see references to the units I'm researching there. But I don't understand why they are considered FYT.
2. I'm trying to stay in the $500 range and get something that works well enough that I'll use it for more than just the radio - without breaking functionality but the canbus thing is new to me. I get the concept - my car's personal IoT/LAN. But does the dash operate independently of the headunit? I sort of feel like somethings will be independent and others will not. For example, I suspect the dash display will know my speed, trip miles, direction (compass), when I need an oil change. But I feel like the option for the radio is fed from the head unit. I feel like anything that appears on my dash when I'm using the GPS (like turn next left) is fed from the head unit. Is that correct? If yes, do those functions usually stop displaying on the dash with a replacement head unit?
3. I have buttons on the dash for different features on the car. I suspect most of those work independently of head unit - like the mirror heaters. But what about accident avoidance features? Those tend to display on my dash - are those possibly affected by a different head unit? And I have a button so I can turn on 360 video - I mainly use it to see how close I am to the car in front of me when parking in a tight space. I suspect that button will work with any head unit that has front camera and/or 360 degree integration.
4. From my research, I have been focusing on units that are 4 GB/64 GB although it sounds like 2 GB/32 GB would work just fine as long as I don't store over 32 GB of apps and data.
5. Items that don't differentiate: I expect these options to be the same result across all units. Please let me know if you know differently.
-Apple car play - All have it & should function exactly the same. (I don't need android phone integration but I know this does differ on units)
-Phone call integration - looks like all use same default android app. I am very interested in how clarity of calls might differ, but I think all are using same default android function and all are able to use an included external microphone.
-Toyota OEM microphone integration - it's unclear if any will integrate with existing Toyota mic but I suspect this won't yield a result I'm happy with in either case.
- Toyota speaker button on wheel control - I think this button fails to work on every integration. I would like this to work but even the Toyota system is so unreliable I don't use it.
- Marketplace apps - All should integrate with marketplace apps exactly the same.
6. So here is my list of options I came up with in order of most likely to least. Is there another brand I should research...
- Teyes CC3 (for highlander 2015-18) - It looks like it matches integration with the best out there. I don't care about the "Porsche simulator", but it still looks like the easiest to use launcher on the market & they are actively updating it. I cannot find the same level of highlander specific details I find on the SYGAV, but reviews seem overwhelmingly positive so I suspect it'll work just as well. My concern is that I have to order directly from alibaba and wait a month to receive and they seem to send wrong parts. I haven't used alibaba but it looks like the customs costs are included in the price of $435 (364+70.76). Does anyone know if this is accurate or if there are other fees? The main complaint I hear with this unit is that it is locked down, but I think that means for adding launchers and the like that I am not interested in.
- SYGAV (for highlander 2015-18) - I don't really love the user interface on this one. But this one is the one I have found most highlander related data on and it gives me some comfort I might have less issues getting it to work. I can find nothing close to this level of detail on the other brands about highlander installs.. I have read user responses that Carplay & android auto require no additional parts to install, 360 degree camera works as well as front camera view, Hybrid info displays. For the camera inputs, it sounds like I can use my OEM cameras but I may need a camera cable adapter (unclear if included in package). One user stated that to get it to work in a highlander, I need to get the Motorola 1 M 2 F & GM adapter to Motorola (for reception). One user states that they have TPMS working, but it's unclear if they connected to the TPMS already in tires or if they had to buy separate TPMS tire plugs. The main complaint is the GPS mapping if basic IGO.
- Dasaita (for highlander 2015-18) - This brand seems like the next most popular after Joying. It looks like they have 3 launchers they develop and you can install whichever you like best. In regard to the UI, I feel like this brand comes in 2nd after Teyes. But I can't find as detailed user experiences with highlander and which functions work and which do not.
- Joying - I am not actively researching this one but everyone seems to be using this one. I was considering this one but I couldn't locate any highlander option anywhere - not even from their website (joyingauto.eu). That sounds like I'd have to figure out the canbus thing on my own and find the plastic frame to put it in my dash & I don't feel like I'm knowledgeable enough to go that route. I really don't understand why this one is so popular above competition - it is one of the highest priced if I buy from the US markets. Everyone that uses it seems to add a separate launcher which makes me question whether Joying's UI development isn't all that great. I know some others lock down their products so you can't tinker as much. Is that why it's popular - because it isn't locked down? If so, I see similar hardware on cheaper units. It sounds like the UI development/support/upgrades is quite a bit of what one is paying for when buying these.
7. Maps - this is one of my major complaints from my Toyota unit . I do not see anything that makes me feel that the maps included with ANY of the units are any better. Most seem to use IGO GPS which seems to get the same complaints I have when using my GPS. I believe the only solution is a unit that includes apple car play. Or am I overlooking any with better mapping functions?
8. JBL audio - I know I have the JBL system in my car and on regular car head units this seems to make a difference with integration, but from my list above, I can't find anything to indicate that any will not work with the JBL system. I'm assuming it is because the car based units have hardware incompatibilities that android based do not, but it's really unclear to me. Can someone provide clarification? On the SYGAV unit, I read a review that it needs an amp to sound as good as an OEM unit, but I think that would apply to all of these units equally. In either case the Toyota JBL system has an AMP under my center console. I can't find this level of integration information but I think all units will connect to the amp.
9. 12 speakers - I feel like this will determine which system is best if I can figure it out... The JBL audio has 12 speakers (one of which is a subwoofer) in 10 locations in the highlander. I can't locate specific details on any of these if anyone gets all the speakers to connect successfully. I did see that one of these brands have 5.1 outputs but I don't really know what I need to be looking for in descriptions to figure this out on each unit. Any suggestions how to figure this out.
10. Video playback - All of these support video playback but it sounds like auto carplay may block mirroring while the car is actively moving. Is the behavior going to be the same across all units? I sort of feel like this is something that works differently across different brands, but I can't find details to figure out which allow video playback when car is moving.
11. Hybrid integration - SYGAV is the only unit I've seen where someone has hybrid info working on a highlander, but I feel like all the systems may work very similarly. I believe the dash display will work independent of the head unit so I can always switch the dash display when I want to see what the hybrid system is doing. I think another brand states it has hybrid integration but I couldn't find any responses where someone had it working successfully.
12. Daytime/Night time modes - I need to validate across all, but I know multiple have tried to integrate this. I do not think any have integrated without a bug. I feel like the ones that are likely to get this right first are Teyes and Dasaita since they are actively developing their UIs. Since these are all android based, I feel like all will have an android setting to dim the display even though the color scheme may not change.
I'm really leaning toward the Teyes because if I imagine myself driving, it looks like the easiest interface to use and they are actively developing. When looking at default display, it looks like the most 'modern' design also.
In case someone else reads this thread trying to figure all this stuff out, XM and HD radio integration may differentiate these units also. I know it doesn't work on some but I don't use either of those so it isn't important to me.

I'm mainly responding to my own post in case someone else is considering a T'eyes unit. I purchased one and I highly under estimated what is involved with getting these units to work. The T'eyes cc3 in my car may go up for auction - just too much of it is unusable.
Note that if you do not like tweeking your cell phone, you might not like these units to begin with - don't expect they'll just work out of the box. Consider hours if not days to configure these things. Also, look at the back of the units - this one came with a 'Toyota" harness which is a bunch of wires to convert all the cables in the back. And it isn't a single harness of wires - it's multiple bags of cables that you have to pick and choose from. You have extra cables and I'm pretty sure the set is missing cables. My car has 2 cables where I only have one adapter that matches them in all harness wiring. So one is unplugged. I have no idea what each cable from my car is used for. But most of the wires only have a single place they can connect in the primary harness. It's all a confusing mess even though I think I have 90% connected to the correct spots.
Not all units are made this way. There is going to be something converting the cables, but some units have some sort of box on the back that has all the cabling converting done for you - so it looks like the cables from the car attach into the unit directly. After my harness was attached, I did not have cables that match everything coming from the car. I feel like that is why things like my my surround cameras do not work. I also have no back up camera working now. That is a pretty big deal.
Also, car play isn't all I thought it would be. It seems to only mirror Apple written apps to the device. I can install apps onto the unit and connect to my phones hotspot, but the connection is very flaky. Unless you are willing to connect the unit with its own sim card, you may be severely limited. I wanted to be able to stream youtube and such while making a weekly 90 minute drive I make. Well, this just doesn't happen because half the time the unit will not connect to my hotspot. It usually connects within 30 minutes of me driving, but I haven't found a reliable way to get it to connect to the hotspot. Usually I'm driving with my phone playing through my phone speakers because audio streaming won't work with wifi/hotspot.
All in all, I wouldn't purchase this again. If I were going to attempt again, I'd go with one of the models that removes the 'harness' from the equation.