Pen-Hui head unit on BMW X3 buggy and want to upgrade softwate - Android Head-Units

Hi,
I just bought a 2006 X3 with what seems to be a crappy aftermarket head unit, from the brand pen-hui.
When I start the head unit it comes up with a BMW launcher app, offering me very limited functions. I am in IT and I'am used to admin access everyone to fix at root level, but I can't figure out how to get this access on this head unit.
The 2 things that really doesn't work for me is:
- I can't pair my phone with Bluetooth, and I can't unpair paired phones. There is a unpair button on the list of paired device, but it's always inactive.
- The audio app that reads a micro SD can't even work with a folder structure and just displays all the tracks in a list.
I believe it's an android OS under the hood, and I would like to access the Android experience so I can maybe upgrade it, or at least choose my apps/launcher, and troubleshoot my problems.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Find out some details first bud. What era is it? Might be worth ripping it out, flogging it on the bay of E and getting something better.

Now I managed to pair my phone via Bluetooth, but it will only do phone pairing, but no media pairing, therefore I can't play music from my phone. I have a Galxy s7, tried with my wife's iPhone and got the same problem.

skezza said:
Find out some details first bud. What era is it? Might be worth ripping it out, flogging it on the bay of E and getting something better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks Skezza, I appreciate your quick reply. I have no idea how old it is, but I suspect quite old, because of all the problem I mentioned, no recent headunit would behave like this. And if I can't fix it, I'll buy a new one, but I would obviously prefer to save the money.

AlexanderKanaK said:
Hey thanks Skezza, I appreciate your quick reply. I have no idea how old it is, but I suspect quite old, because of all the problem I mentioned, no recent headunit would behave like this. And if I can't fix it, I'll buy a new one, but I would obviously prefer to save the money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a photo of the UI and stuff, we'll try and help. It could be an old Android 2.x unit. I've seen them in cars, even recently (saw one the other day in a Civic). To be honest, they're totally worthless at this point and pretty much useless too other than playing mp3's and discs. They're worth even less than a WinCE unit. WinCE is kind of timeless whereas those old Android units are now being heavily bitten by the obsolescence bug. Maps won't work (and if it does, it'll be an old version). The internet won't work. None of it will work mate.
To be honest, I love the 8.0 unit I've bought, but I'm entirely aware that already, it's a race. 3 years time, it'll be basically junk Best you can hope for is a few updates but realistically, Android isn't designed to last, whereas WinCE and the like is.

Related

My G1 works with my bluetooth enabled car stereo

I was excited when this happened so I thought I would share. So I just bought a pioneer avic f900bt in dash nav av stereo for my car from circuit city on the last day the store was open. I got super lucky, got the stereo for 200$ which is 80% less than retail price. It has bluetooth capabilities for phone integration. I paired my G1 with it and it automatically downloaded my contact list from my phone onto the stereo. i can make calls by selecting a contact on my stereo and it does it's thing. My question is, the g1 is based off the android os and the stereo is a WinCE os, how come the G1 can't sync with other windows programs like outlook? this would be sweet. ohwell the phone is freaking sweet anyways. would totally buy one for the wife but they need more medical programs available for it as she is a Dr. and needs all that stuff on her pda phone.
thats awesome news. I was wondering about this, as I am about to purchase a BT stereo for my car.
the avic f900bt just got the latest firmware update for its bluetooth. It even recognized the phone as a TMobile G1. Not sure what other brands of stereo have same capabilities.
strikeoutss said:
...My question is, the g1 is based off the android os and the stereo is a WinCE os, how come the G1 can't sync with other windows programs like outlook? this would be sweet. ohwell the phone is freaking sweet anyways. would totally buy one for the wife but they need more medical programs available for it as she is a Dr. and needs all that stuff on her pda phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is because Bluetooth does not care what OS is running but what Bluetooth profiles are on the systems. Handsfree profile allows for speakerphone, A2DP profile allows you to stream your music to another device in stereo, and so on. For communication with Outlook it would need the PIM profile installed.
As of now the G1 only has Handfree profiles installed. Hopefully Cupcake will introduce us to more (A2DP is listed as one.)
atoy74 said:
This is because Bluetooth does not care what OS is running but what Bluetooth profiles are on the systems. Handsfree profile allows for speakerphone, A2DP profile allows you to stream your music to another device in stereo, and so on. For communication with Outlook it would need the PIM profile installed.
As of now the G1 only has Handfree profiles installed. Hopefully Cupcake will introduce us to more (A2DP is listed as one.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like we are slowing unlocking the hidden potential of the phone.
The day of the online press release before the launch they said that tethering wouldn't be supported and we've come a long way with that. I was very close to not getting the phone because I NEED tethering support. Now it's easier with this phone then it is with my WinMobile phones. It's only a matter of time until someone figures out how to do the "impossible" again. Wouldn't it be neat if you had stereo blue tooth to your car stereo all coming from a 32gb sd card? My guess is that we'll figure out it before it comes out on an update. Come on geeks... put on your thinking caps!
Go ahead and buy her the G1. I am a doctor. between wikipedia and google.
there isn't much info left in those ancient PDA programs.
For drugs she can just go to medscape.com
The only people left using the old pda programs are students who get cappy old palms for free from their schools.
thanks for the info ratsoda. I will show my wife and see if that would work for her. Then all we have to do is wait for her phone to be ready for full upgrade. I think it will be in may. my only worry is that she drops her current phone atleast once a week. drives me crazy as I have never dropped any of my phones. maybe being a techy makes me sensitive to stuff like that.
strikeoutss said:
my only worry is that she drops her current phone atleast once a week. drives me crazy as I have never dropped any of my phones. maybe being a techy makes me sensitive to stuff like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, isn't that something. I have the same problem. Wife and children drop their phone at least once a week. I would probably hurt my self trying to keep mine from hitting the ground.
Can you imagine dropping the G1..it looks like it will fly apart with only a moderate drop. One lick, upper left corner and "bam", you have a detached keyboard.
My greatest fear for my G1
And by the way....if you are still shopping for a "wifey" phone, let me suggest blackberry. That's what I got for mine. Pretty phone, does all she will ever need, and is sturdy as hell. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin', so to speak

Nexus 7 as hands free bluetooth device?

I know that at the moment this isn't possible, but does anyone know if there is work being done on the Android bluetooth stack to enable a tablet to be used as a bluetooth hands-free device? A bit of searching shows that it is a regularly requested feature but I can't seem to find any info on any developers who are definitively working on this (except for one little questionable nugget that stated that the CM developers were playing with Bluetooth. Hardly enough to go on.).
I want to incorporate a Nexus 7 into my 370Z as a carpc but the lack of being able to integrate phone features is holding me back. Using data apps like grooveip are a no go for me as data connections around here aren't reliable enough for consistent daily use. Thanks in advance for any info.
I'm not to sure of what your asking, but if you wanna make calls from your tablet using BT this app allows you to do that as well as send SMS and MMS from it https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apdroid.tabtalk hope that helps and is what you mean
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I appreciate the suggestion but I don't think this will work. What I would like to do is mount my tablet in my car and use it as a front end for my phone to make/take calls the way an OEM bluetooth car system would normally work. My understanding is that your tablet must be paired as a hands free device, which android tablets currently don't do. I looked at Tablet Talk but when using that app from what I can gather when you accept a call on the tablet it actually activates the call on your handset. Ultimately I want to use the tablet as a hands free solution as I drive stick and holding my phone to my ear while driving is a no-no.
In the past I've used bt headsets but I lose them constantly and frankly I'm tired of replacing them. Oh well.
Well, good luck in your search! And you hit tablet talk spot on BTW lol. Oh and if you do find a solution, plz post it! This sounds like something I would love to use.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
SpungeWorthy said:
Well, good luck in your search! And you hit tablet talk spot on BTW lol. Oh and if you do find a solution, plz post it! This sounds like something I would love to use.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll thinking I'll probably go the route of a more traditional carpc for now, but if and when this becomes a feature you can take advantage of with android tablets I'll have to reevaluate the situation.
Nillaz said:
I know that at the moment this isn't possible, but does anyone know if there is work being done on the Android bluetooth stack to enable a tablet to be used as a bluetooth hands-free device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be a great extension or compliment to the various apps that let you send/receive SMSs from your tablet via your phone. If I could at least receive/answer calls too, I could leave the phone elsewhere at home.
Just to let you know I've contacted parrot and garmin with regards to something like this.
I want a solution where I can make my nexus 7 a full media center with DAB radio and a good sat nav without needing a cellular link and hands free for my phone which includes the voice commands available through the tablet.
So hopefully they will get back to me and I'll post up here what they say.
Something I haven't solved yet either is getting all the antennae feeds into the nexus, I was thinking of getting a sharks fin antennae and wiring them into a raspberry pi to then blue toothing them into the nexus, I could also then attach a HDD to the pi to use it as a server to.
I want to do it this way so I can take the 7 otu and with me if I wish, rather than having it hard wired in. also if would allow for device upgrade.
Theres a nice thread on install and with references to the tasker app to get the tablet to work with the ignition and other functionality like that;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1819175
b
BT app
There is an app under development for this I think. play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funkyandroid.phonelink
I'm thinking of dropping a Nexus 7 in my car but the lack of hands free bluetooth is kind of a deal breaker.
Did anybody ever get this working? I have my Nexus installed in the car, and would love to be able to use it as a speakerphone. I don't need to actually be able to make the calls via the tablet, just need to be able to use it as a basic bluetooth speakerphone / headset type of thing.
It sounds like it should be something fairly simple, but I cannot seem to find much.
I have been wanting this for a long time, I'd love to be able to take my older Android phone and re-purpose it as a car GPS/Internet Radio/Handfree, etc.
I know the Samsung Galaxy player has this functionality, I wonder if any of their devs could help out.
if this work in linux so i think can work on android
Hi to all,
i been looking for this "bluetooth role" for long time. I have read a lot of forum and the entire XDA posts about this..
it seems that this is the definitive question like "what is the answer to life the universe and everything" simple 42
and it seems that is the paradise for all want to make a carputer/droid/tablet/**** car radio replacement... so... i'm one of you
this post is for some devs (i'm a dev too) i'm asking for help ....
the problem is: which android version do you want to use?
why this question? simple: from the android 4.2 google has decided to trash the bluetooth bluez stack and reimplement the wheel with bluedroid...
i read the documentation about bluedroid at this site:
https://source.android.com/devices/bluetooth.html
and there was written that there are some profiles actualy implemented but not the Bluetooth Hands-Free Profile server.
Ok it's not a problem, taking a look to the template of other profile i can implement it.
now the question is HOW DOES IT WORKS?
so i searched and bum this is how:
version 1.5
version 1.6
ok and now? and now i tried to find some similar implementations and...
after another night of search i found this....
HFP For Linux
where there is the downloadable source code.
now I think we have all the necessary to make this possible...
BUT there are some problem that i haven't resolved yet for a lack of knowledge of course.
it seems that the hfp override any other profiles on that example, it's not bad, in a system that i want to use i need only a HFP profile and AD2P togheter all the rest is useless
i think that this at the end is a fork of the standard android project and how I/we can put it into a rom or a patch and who want to add to a rom/kernel? how it can be done? is a patch better ? a new kernel like franco's or better to submit to google?
I hope to have intrigued someone with this post and I hope that somebody can link me to some documentation to understand how to put all the information I have together.
ps. i have tried to reply into this thread:
[Q] Android phone as bluetooth headset?
but of course i have to few posts to make my suggestion there
I may be out of line here but try reading about the gmate+ device.
I got one paired with my Nexus 7 32gb right now and currently using it as a phone. I believe there are other similar gadgets out there, as I've done some researches before I actually got mine to work. I have yet to try it with a bluetooth headset paired because I lost mine just on the day when I was about to try it out.
Anyway, one problem here is, the app for the device is currently not updated so there are a lot of things that need tweaking and one major issue for me is the ringtone. As I have posted here before, sine N7 does not have native ringtone, there's no alert tone for incoming calls. As for text messages, the notification alert tone works. I know there's also GPRS for it but haven't tried it out yet.
Try these options...
As far as an option for a Nexus 7 you may want to try a sip dialer like 3cx or linphone or zoiper and establish a free sip account at iptel.org or something. As long as you have wifi or a 3g connection which some tablet have you should be able to make and receive calls, or try ""Blue Fi" from the play store. it may work.
naiku said:
Did anybody ever get this working? I have my Nexus installed in the car, and would love to be able to use it as a speakerphone. I don't need to actually be able to make the calls via the tablet, just need to be able to use it as a basic bluetooth speakerphone / headset type of thing.
It sounds like it should be something fairly simple, but I cannot seem to find much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
golfnz34me said:
I have been wanting this for a long time, I'd love to be able to take my older Android phone and re-purpose it as a car GPS/Internet Radio/Handfree, etc.
I know the Samsung Galaxy player has this functionality, I wonder if any of their devs could help out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a new Nexus 7 for the same purpose of replacing my vehicles head unit with a tablet.
I am digging into the BT stack since I believe that I should be able to implement (or port) the profile on top of Android 4.3 assuming that the SCO data is available through the raw BT connection. There is an open source HFP implementation on sourceforge for Linux that migh be close enough to do the trick and save a bunch of coding time. It's going to take a while for me to get the time to dive too deeply into this one, but if I succeed or come to the conclusion it can't be done, I will let folks know.
Hello guys.
I am going to buy Nexus 7 for my car for the same purposes, - navigating, internet.
But mainly is for the Hands Free function.
Unfortunately, people saying nexus can't use it. But it's lol...I don't believe nexus7 doesn't support hands free.
Gentelman, tell me any way to make nexus 7 works hands free.
Thank you in advance.
P.S. if you ask wham am I mean when saying "hands free", so there is an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEFjDKtlao8
Use some Motorola MotoActiv Bt code?
I have a Motorola MotoActiv running watch... Features gps tracking for running and biking, MP3 player and Bluetooth... The Bluetooth is mainly used for wireless headphones, but if you have a Motorola Phone, the watch can display text msgs from the phone and you can use the headphones/mic through the watch to take calls. (the idea being that you can leave the phone in a pocket or backpack while you're bike riding, I guess, and still take calls.)
The device runs Android (I'm sure someone's rooted it on here). Maybe that code can be dissected and repurposed for what were all looking for??
J
more on Motorola Watch
SmartNexus said:
I have a Motorola MotoActiv running watch... Features gps tracking for running and biking, MP3 player and Bluetooth... The Bluetooth is mainly used for wireless headphones, but if you have a Motorola Phone, the watch can display text msgs from the phone and you can use the headphones/mic through the watch to take calls. (the idea being that you can leave the phone in a pocket or backpack while you're bike riding, I guess, and still take calls.)
The device runs Android (I'm sure someone's rooted it on here). Maybe that code can be dissected and repurposed for what were all looking for??
J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an update on something I said in my previous post... I was looking at my MotoActiv watch today and it says you have to have an "Android phone" not a Motorola phone as I said in my previous post. So I'm wondering if the phone audio over Bt can be reverse engineered from the Motoactive watch for other android devices.
I actually decided to root my watch today just for the fun of it... it would really make the perfect "Car Head Unit" as it has Android OS, MP3 capabilities, FM Tuner, Bluetooth and Phone audio over Bluetooth built in... if only the screen was larger than 1.5".
Looks like the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 2013 are getting some love in this area with a new custom stack:
http://www.bluez.org/bluez-for-android-status-update/
Looks like you need some compiling skills, but I think this is what you are looking for.
It must be work... Or not?
Hello guys!
I'm thinking on a same project for a while. It doesn't matter if not work for me, but would be great if yes.
I found something 2 days ago:
Parrot Asteroid Smart
This is an android base head unit/navigation, and the bluetooth handsfree is working on it. How it's possible? Any chance to port it into the Nexus 7?
solution
So i had an idea today and decided to call my carrier (Cricket). They told me it is possible to purchase an extra sim card and they will program the imei# to match my phone. This will enable me to make and receive calls on my tablet as well as my phone using the same number. Also i will have full access to my data.....problem solved with only 15 dollars. I hope this helps somebody.

Best Car Stereo for most functionality with android phone

I am in the search for the best, well best for a descent price that is probably double din card stereo with the best Android integration.
By that I mean mainly blue tooth and usb.
I know based on some of the bluetooth protocols there are quite a range of things that can be integrated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_protocol_stack)
For example pluging into USB and the deck seeing the internal memory as well as SD Card to be able to play files from it, bluetooth being able to push music to the deck as well as the deck being able to communicate with apps such as pandora to skip tracks and such from the deck.
My searches thus far have lead to me this model http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWHR81B/JVC-KW-HDR81BT.html?showAll=N&search=KW-HDR81BT&skipvs=T
But I know there is one more bluetooth feature I would like and that is (MAP) Message Access Profile, which allows for text related messages to the deck for text to speech functions an such. (http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_...tooth-do-besides-make-calls-abcs-of-car-tech/)
So anyone have ideas, I think there are new models announced close to this time of year right?
Anyone have good suggestions for a review site?
maxpower2078 said:
I am in the search for the best, well best for a descent price that is probably double din card stereo with the best Android integration.
By that I mean mainly blue tooth and usb.
I know based on some of the bluetooth protocols there are quite a range of things that can be integrated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_protocol_stack)
For example pluging into USB and the deck seeing the internal memory as well as SD Card to be able to play files from it, bluetooth being able to push music to the deck as well as the deck being able to communicate with apps such as pandora to skip tracks and such from the deck.
My searches thus far have lead to me this model http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWHR81B/JVC-KW-HDR81BT.html?showAll=N&search=KW-HDR81BT&skipvs=T
But I know there is one more bluetooth feature I would like and that is (MAP) Message Access Profile, which allows for text related messages to the deck for text to speech functions an such. (http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_...tooth-do-besides-make-calls-abcs-of-car-tech/)
So anyone have ideas, I think there are new models announced close to this time of year right?
Anyone have good suggestions for a review site?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I'm looking into. Somebody sent me a screen shot of the app radio hooked up to their HTC and it even had the sense 4 lock ring displayed
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)
CharliesTheMan said:
This is what I'm looking into. Somebody sent me a screen shot of the app radio hooked up to their HTC and it even had the sense 4 lock ring displayed
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks very cool but my phone is not on the list plus it seems like something that is in its infancy still. I think a broader technology like bluetooth that could be compatible with many more devices may be a better way of connecting. I think that kind of thing will be awesome in a few years when they nail down a standard for communicating audio/video to the head unit, almost like the head unit is just a monitor to the phone and a touchscreen monitor at that.
I'm actually looking for the same thing right now. I don't want to spend $500+ dollars on a head unit when I could buy a nexus tablet to do everything for half that. But I do want a stand alone radio that I can use with a phone or streaming data, plus a built in amp with preamp outs would be perfect.
App Radio 2 has many issues.
sureshot007 said:
I'm actually looking for the same thing right now. I don't want to spend $500+ dollars on a head unit when I could buy a nexus tablet to do everything for half that. But I do want a stand alone radio that I can use with a phone or streaming data, plus a built in amp with preamp outs would be perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just purchased the App Radio 2, and am returning it to Crutchfield. The screen is nice looking, but otherwise it is the single most disappointing electronic device I have ever purchased. I won't go into the long list of complaints about the device, as the hatred I now have for it could destroy a small city. Suffice to say that the unit functions as designed, but was likely designed by a team of engineers who had never seen a car, radio, phone or normal human being. There are a few threads here for people who are still trying to make the device worthwhile, with a particular success in the ARLiberator App.
I'm tempted to try that out, but the reality is the radio software itself is the problem in my opinion. It would be great to use the ARLiberator phone functions, but I don't like the firmware of the radio.
I'm looking at other options and right now the Parrot Asteroid Smart is a front-runner. I'm conflicted as it has runs Android 2.3 and I was hoping for something more current. Search around on the forum for more details on both before you purchase, there are many potential show stoppers.
hey guys,
I've been searching for a Android Head unit for a while now. I too hate the fact that most of them are 2.3, but check this unit out.
ebay.com/itm/Hot-2-Din-Car-Radio-DVD-Player-Fast-Cpu-Android-4-0-WIFI-3G-GPS-Ipod-Bluetooth-/170939816360
recently stumbled over it. Wondering if any has seen one or has one, worry about the quality. Currently, I'm also considering Parrot's new unit.
Hope this helps.
Dan.S said:
I just purchased the App Radio 2, and am returning it to Crutchfield. The screen is nice looking, but otherwise it is the single most disappointing electronic device I have ever purchased. I won't go into the long list of complaints about the device, as the hatred I now have for it could destroy a small city. Suffice to say that the unit functions as designed, but was likely designed by a team of engineers who had never seen a car, radio, phone or normal human being. There are a few threads here for people who are still trying to make the device worthwhile, with a particular success in the ARLiberator App.
I'm tempted to try that out, but the reality is the radio software itself is the problem in my opinion. It would be great to use the ARLiberator phone functions, but I don't like the firmware of the radio.
I'm looking at other options and right now the Parrot Asteroid Smart is a front-runner. I'm conflicted as it has runs Android 2.3 and I was hoping for something more current. Search around on the forum for more details on both before you purchase, there are many potential show stoppers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it WITH ARLiberator and I still hate it. I'm looking at the Chinese Double Din HU's now that run only Android (not wince and android).
RSO86 said:
hey guys,
I've been searching for a Android Head unit for a while now. I too hate the fact that most of them are 2.3, but check this unit out.
ebay.com/itm/Hot-2-Din-Car-Radio-DVD-Player-Fast-Cpu-Android-4-0-WIFI-3G-GPS-Ipod-Bluetooth-/170939816360
recently stumbled over it. Wondering if any has seen one or has one, worry about the quality. Currently, I'm also considering Parrot's new unit.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy one? I'm looking at getting one like this or something similar...
I'm currently looking for a replacement for my Clarion CX501, any updates from anyone? Seems like the APT-X support has yet to hit the headunit market.
Has no one found a good unit yet? Please update!
copekyle said:
Has no one found a good unit yet? Please update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get an android based double din radio, make sure its dual core, 1G Ram, DAB+ supported, 6.2-7" TFT capacitive touch screen, steering wheel controls supported and accepts WiFi dongle. you will have the mighty Google Play store to satisfy your imagination.
obviously such a unit would support most of the Bluetooth profiles.
I noticed few units on ebay but not from any known manufacturer. best i found was from some German supplier icar-tech
Alpha V800 and Alpha S600 are the ones, I haven't confirmed all the above requirements that I would wanna see in my next head unit.
Good Luck
maxpower2078 said:
I am in the search for the best, well best for a descent price that is probably double din card stereo with the best Android integration.
By that I mean mainly blue tooth and usb.
I know based on some of the bluetooth protocols there are quite a range of things that can be integrated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_protocol_stack)
For example pluging into USB and the deck seeing the internal memory as well as SD Card to be able to play files from it, bluetooth being able to push music to the deck as well as the deck being able to communicate with apps such as pandora to skip tracks and such from the deck.
My searches thus far have lead to me this model http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWHR81B/JVC-KW-HDR81BT.html?showAll=N&search=KW-HDR81BT&skipvs=T
But I know there is one more bluetooth feature I would like and that is (MAP) Message Access Profile, which allows for text related messages to the deck for text to speech functions an such. (http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_...tooth-do-besides-make-calls-abcs-of-car-tech/)
So anyone have ideas, I think there are new models announced close to this time of year right?
Anyone have good suggestions for a review site?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want Android in your car...install a tablet in the dash. That's the best option, or you could go with the Parrot. But from the reviews I've seen I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Car Stereo
Hi,
Did you end up getting this head unit?
Does it work well?
RSO86 said:
hey guys,
I've been searching for a Android Head unit for a while now. I too hate the fact that most of them are 2.3, but check this unit out.
ebay.com/itm/Hot-2-Din-Car-Radio-DVD-Player-Fast-Cpu-Android-4-0-WIFI-3G-GPS-Ipod-Bluetooth-/170939816360
recently stumbled over it. Wondering if any has seen one or has one, worry about the quality. Currently, I'm also considering Parrot's new unit.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to get in on this thread to see if anyone has actually pulled the trigger and bought something yet.
I share the same mentality -- the phone/tablet can handle most of the "smart" functions. All that's needed is rock-solid bluetooth support. If it does great USB, that's a huge bonus.
I have one of the older Pioneer stereos that first did Bluetooth. I got it around 2007. The market has matured a lot since then and I'm itching for an upgrade.
WuddaWaste said:
I wanted to get in on this thread to see if anyone has actually pulled the trigger and bought something yet.
I share the same mentality -- the phone/tablet can handle most of the "smart" functions. All that's needed is rock-solid bluetooth support. If it does great USB, that's a huge bonus.
I have one of the older Pioneer stereos that first did Bluetooth. I got it around 2007. The market has matured a lot since then and I'm itching for an upgrade.
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I've had a look around many different forums and stores, and I'm still at square one. I totally agree that all that's needed is rock-solid bluetooth support.
I've been into a few shops in the last few days and BT paired my GS2 running CM11 and Google Play Music with some head units....for what they can do via bluetooth, they all seem to do a decent job of it......I can skip/pause songs on either the head unti or the phone, Google Play Music on the phone updates as you switch songs on the HU.
But what it doesn't seem capable of (that I've seen or read about), which apparently iPhones can do, is change albums, browse by artist/genre, search, etc.....beyond the most basic of back/next/pause functions, unless I'm mistaken, it's just not possible when BT pairing an Android phone with any head unit on the market.
Can anyone definitively confirm that this is or is not true?
Well.... Now that android auto is in the making, maybe there will be some better offerings available for those of us looking for a good stereo!
1990clb said:
Well.... Now that android auto is in the making, maybe there will be some better offerings available for those of us looking for a good stereo!
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Until then what are we supposed to do ..buy an IPhone?
I have a Google Nexus 4 and went too the effort of looking into the options. I find it utterly amazing in an Android phone you can't browse albums over bluetooth its simply a joke!
The best option would be to try to maybe get a double DIN car stereo with support some kind of screen mirroring so you can change album from the touch screen maybe something like a AVIC-F60DAB but it costs a grand would be cheaper for me to buy an IPhone!!!
I belive you need the AVRCP standard if you want the track listing to display on your headset via Bluetooth.
Even if I could get a Car Stereo to support my mobile..the big problem with the Google nexus and it seems many Android devices they don't support Bluetooth very well. There is a bug in the Nexus 4 so that when you are using bluetooth in your car stereo after a while Bluetooth will just turn off Google don't seem to care about fixing this..I don't really want to get an Apple but if means I can listen to Music via Bluetooth and get access to Google Music then why not.!!
I have a Double Din car stereo. It's the Pioneer AppRadio 3 and it works well mirroring my Nexus 5. There's an app called "AppRadio Unchained" which let's you control your phone via the touch screen of the stereo. The only downside is the lack of power on the radio which makes the scrolling not as fast as any Android phone nowadays, but the Bluetooth has been working non-stop for me.
I had to buy an HDMI dapter to make it compatible though.
I've had a look at these but they are expensive! Maybe if I get a raise I'll buy one haha!
I was hoping to get something similar, but without having to use a HDMI adapter, a completely wireless solution would be kick ass!

Panapacific DEA600 head unit and smart touch screen...

Hey Guys,
I just bought a brand new Kenworth W900, and it has android auto (or something mimicing it) built in... A panapacific dea600... the major problem is it super kludge... amongst being terribly locked down, i cannot connect to an ad hoc wifi thru my windows 10 laptop (that is tethered to my S6 with easy tether)... my tablet can connect to the ad hoc no problems, and my stereo can see the network but cannot connect to it for some reason (i REALLY need to update the trucks GPS maps, and have you tried to use a truck stops wifi? (like dial up))... id really just like access to the OS or another launcher so i can add some apps that i need (no not facebook or stuff like that) and perhaps root and rom it....
its running android 4.2.2... and i can get you the entirely too long software version
Its sad really because this could be cutting edge stuff, but someone higher up had to come up with ways to neuter this damn thing... and look i get that there are things i shouldnt have access to while driving, but it DOES have android web browser built in so its not like they dont want us using it...
i dont expect the world as this unit has only been shipping with trucks for a few months... and many of you may not have come across it... but perhaps it shares hardware with another system and panapacific just stole it (it HAS happened many times)
thanks guys and look forward to replies before i finish going insane
Nobody?
DEA600 - SmartDisplay for Automotive Infotainment
Hey,
I just came across your note while search for this product - I was the software architect/tech lead for the supplier company providing the Android port and the Freescale SOM component of the display screen on this product line - although moved on shirtly after the system went to mass production. - it is awesome to see someone here discuss it!
You are very correct on a lot of you assumptions and assessments. it was a very ambitious project that really tried to leverage as much of what Android was capable of at the time it was planned, but tuned to work as a smart display for commercial vehicles.
The display is only a part of a system of components. The display runs a port of Android 4.2.2 - but highly tailored to its environment - pairs with the Delphi radio unit (as a peer, not as an accessory) and is toghtly coupled to the unit in production. as a security measure.
unfortunately for what you are looking for, though much of the upgrade and app installation capabilities have been locked down to prevent side loading or execution of "unauthorized" apps that don't have special keys fro. the OEM or manufacturer. even if installed, the system manager will kill any apps that are launched without keys.
you may be able to get a developer key from the OEM but I don't know how they chose to mange that in the final system.
thanks for the posting, though - it was a small run comparatively for android systems but it was a pretty damn cool system with what we did get working....
I would be happy to discuss more if you want. - with what I can....
- Chris
DEA600
hi there
i have same head unit in my 389 pride and class peterbilt, for the map part, that you can update by connecting it to your phones internet, either wifi hot spot if not then just connect it with bluetooth and use bluetooth tethering of phone and PAN of your DEA600, but main problem in the system is that you cant put a single thing without pulling breaks, and u cant download a single file by any means, it just displays error that unfortunately process.android. stopped or browser has stopped or settings has stopped. if any one figured out how to download anythimg in this little thing. please update
hello there. I have T-680 with DEA600. I had exactly the same problem and ended up taking my truck to a dealer. it turned out to be defected radio. After it was replaced, it would connect to a hotspot no problem ( im using htc 10).
I have the same unit in my W 900. It is a huge disappointment in many ways. First of all just like any factory radio I have ever seen in a commercial truck the sound quality is horrible. Second I don't like the fact that it locks so many functions when I am driving. I have a passenger that rides with me most of the time that is perfectly capable of safely operating those functions while I drive. This makes the GPS almost useless for the way I like to use a GPS. Good thing I still have my Garman. But really my biggest disappointment is the fact that I cannot get the gauges to work properly. It states that I can choose from over 30 gauges to be displayed however I have been unable to find any way to change from the six default gauges that are there. I have read the manual but it does not explain how to open the menu that lets you choose which gauges are there. I don't know if my unit is defective like one of a red one of yours was or if it just hasn't come out in an update yet. Also if I am reading this right it looks like my display and gauges function are tied to the stereo which means if I replace the head unit I'm going to lose that function. Am I reading that correctly?
Hey guys so a friend of mine has the DEA601 in his new truck and drives him nuts that the passenger cannot control things when its going faster than 5km hour (his old Peterbuilt worked fine).
I'm a software eng and would like to find out how to disable the Distracted Driver feature (like you can do in settings on many other Android Auto ROM's like Honda). What are my options here? a) Make a whole new ROM (but how to do that?) b) try to hexedit the existing ROM and find where the 5 km value is and modify it c) add an add-on app somehow to override this limit or d) other???
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Ckrobin said:
I have the same unit in my W 900. It is a huge disappointment in many ways. First of all just like any factory radio I have ever seen in a commercial truck the sound quality is horrible. Second I don't like the fact that it locks so many functions when I am driving. I have a passenger that rides with me most of the time that is perfectly capable of safely operating those functions while I drive. This makes the GPS almost useless for the way I like to use a GPS. Good thing I still have my Garman. But really my biggest disappointment is the fact that I cannot get the gauges to work properly. It states that I can choose from over 30 gauges to be displayed however I have been unable to find any way to change from the six default gauges that are there. I have read the manual but it does not explain how to open the menu that lets you choose which gauges are there. I don't know if my unit is defective like one of a red one of yours was or if it just hasn't come out in an update yet. Also if I am reading this right it looks like my display and gauges function are tied to the stereo which means if I replace the head unit I'm going to lose that function. Am I reading that correctly?
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I found out in order for the guages to work I need an $800 module my truck didn't come with. Now my biggest problem is the technology seems to have stagnated. The software on my phone and tablet are no longer very comparable with Android 4.2. I try my iPhone and my Android tablet and neither will play Pandora consistently. I am forced to use Bluetooth which looses sound quality on an already low quality stereo. I really wish Kenworth had spent their R &D on making their trucks compatible with idatalink like most aftermarket stereos use.
At this point I am torn between installing a hideaway marine stereo with a remote display and leaving this POS Pans Pacrapic as a display with nono sound. Or installing a line converter and amp and dealing with this clunky software. I wish someone would make a rom to upgrade this thing.
Looks like the Mfg won this round
Looks like the Mfg won this round
I'm driving one of these trucks also and I keep checking this post but I guess we havent incentivized anyone who cud help yet!
The electrical switch must be located behind the air brakes control knob. I'm sure if you pull the stereo out you will find the wires that control the disabling feature. The unit tries to "update" when connected to wifi. Maybe someone can use wireshark and grab the update packet and modify it with root installed. I'm ok with trying anything short of taking the unit apart and Jtag the firmware directly. Would love to see one taken apart.
sunny530 said:
The electrical switch must be located behind the air brakes control knob. I'm sure if you pull the stereo out you will find the wires that control the disabling feature. The unit tries to "update" when connected to wifi. Maybe someone can use wireshark and grab the update packet and modify it with root installed. I'm ok with trying anything short of taking the unit apart and Jtag the firmware directly. Would love to see one taken apart.
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This is a 2+ year old thread being g responded to.
What is your point? 2years later and still no solution to the problem. I ran across this thread of people discussing the same problems I'm having with the radio unit. If you got something usefull to add to this discussion then please feel free otherwise you don't need to acknowledge when what was posted that helps me null with my problem.
Anyone here figure anything out?
still nothing
Hello! So I have little tech experience but I am willing to work with someone here to sort this out. Got a 17 w900 that I put a aftermarket double din in and retained smart nav for the gauges. What I did find was the screen (not the radio) gets a input from the wire harness off the ecm to give data to the screen. So I’ll attach a picture of the plug and maybe we can use this plus find it’s female counterpart then get the other end to plug into a maestro box? My Sony doesn’t have maestro. I do have a pioneer that does but can’t justify the cost being the Guinea pig. I’ve already been one of the first to get the tilt column to drop LOW and managed to fit a true 7” double din where the stupid nav was.

Does Android do ID3 tags over BT A2DP?

I have an in-dash receiver in my truck that has a flip out screen and was hoping when I played songs over BT to it that it would show the Artist, cover art and album but it isn't. Does anyone know if Android does ID3 tags over BT A2DP or if I am out of luck?
It should. Be sure to check the receiver and that it is allowing it. I personally have tags go over BT.
RileyIssKing said:
It should. Be sure to check the receiver and that it is allowing it. I personally have tags go over BT.
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Thanks. I thought Android did. I have a ticket submitted with the receiver maker but haven't heard back yet.
Mainly depends on version of BT in the receiver. As long as it's 4.0 or newer, it should work.
Well I called the manufacturer and was told this receiver does not do it. Kind of disappointing.
mmurphmsu said:
I have an in-dash receiver in my truck that has a flip out screen and was hoping when I played songs over BT to it that it would show the Artist, cover art and album but it isn't. Does anyone know if Android does ID3 tags over BT A2DP or if I am out of luck?
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I've had 3 Kenwoods and a Pioneer, and the best way to make sure everything is tagged properly is use MP3Tag to edit everything and update it. For bluetooth, I used Neutron, it's got true 24-bit playback and 64-bit processing and will read lossless files. I never had problem with it pulling information from files.
chernabog88008 said:
I've had 3 Kenwoods and a Pioneer, and the best way to make sure everything is tagged properly is use MP3Tag to edit everything and update it. For bluetooth, I used Neutron, it's got true 24-bit playback and 64-bit processing and will read lossless files. I never had problem with it pulling information from files.
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Well the bad thing is, is that I am streaming music from Google Play/Pandora and they don't show up. When I called the manufacturer, they told me no it does, but it sure does look like it should because there is a box there that to me looks like some album art work should go in.
mmurphmsu said:
Well the bad thing is, is that I am streaming music from Google Play/Pandora and they don't show up. When I called the manufacturer, they told me no it does, but it sure does look like it should because there is a box there that to me looks like some album art work should go in.
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And in working for Apple, I can personally tell you, the manufacturer's lie. I've had calls about Car Play, and yes, it's a piece of junk, but it's because the manufacturer's don't update software. Honda's you have to take to the dealership, lift the hood, root through the fuse box, and then plug it into a computer to load the firmware. Lots of fun, and dealers are so eager to do a 'free' upgrade on software when it costs them $100 to pay a tech to do it. Ford isn't any better. I had a guy call in with a Chevy where on hands-free, it would ring, he'd answer the call on his dash, and it would revert the call back to the phone. The best things you can do are, go to the dealer and see if there's an update, or b) quit trying to use ONLY what came in the phone. I looked around for something that suited my needs rather than trying to make a free app play in a $20,000 or more vehicle, and be upset it didn't.
chernabog88008 said:
And in working for Apple, I can personally tell you, the manufacturer's lie. I've had calls about Car Play, and yes, it's a piece of junk, but it's because the manufacturer's don't update software. Honda's you have to take to the dealership, lift the hood, root through the fuse box, and then plug it into a computer to load the firmware. Lots of fun, and dealers are so eager to do a 'free' upgrade on software when it costs them $100 to pay a tech to do it. Ford isn't any better. I had a guy call in with a Chevy where on hands-free, it would ring, he'd answer the call on his dash, and it would revert the call back to the phone. The best things you can do are, go to the dealer and see if there's an update, or b) quit trying to use ONLY what came in the phone. I looked around for something that suited my needs rather than trying to make a free app play in a $20,000 or more vehicle, and be upset it didn't.
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The radio I am using is not a stock radio, it is a Boss BV9967B.
mmurphmsu said:
The radio I am using is not a stock radio, it is a Boss BV9967B.
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And again, manufacturers don't tell you everything, or really know what's going on. They might have tested it 4 years ago and it work for Android 4,but they never followed up beyond that. I just replaced a ddx773 Kenwood with a ddx 794, big difference? The 773 would only support 5000 audio files, where the 794 does 50,000. Worse, a lot of these stereo manufacturers only really make stuff 'new' every 2 or 3 years, and keep using a lot of the same hardware and software in new chassis and call it brand new. Some of it could just be faulty. My 773, which I had a week, locked up on Pandora, and would stream, but no information, no fast forward, skipped when choosing stations. When I replaced it, the new unit functioned fine. But for all practical purposes, it's worth considering trying other apps on a trial, and see if something else will work with the head unit, or if it needs to be changed.

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