Android Auto vs Android Head Unit?

[kjdBonez]

I have seen some threads where people are talking about porting android auto to an android head unit. I have also seen some threads where people are talking about putting android auto on a tablet or phone that they plan to mount in their car. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand the rationale for either of these. If you have an android head unit, don't you already have all of the capabilities of android auto built into your head unit? Similarly if you are going to mount a phone or tablet on your dash then why not use those apps that are already native to your phone/tablet?

The reason I ask is because I'm in the market for a new car stereo and the differences in cost between an aftermarket head unit with android auto and an android head unit (i.e. no-name chinese brand, etc) seem quite large. I've seen the reviews on here, Youtube and other places for some of the Chinese units and they seem very feature rich. Please help me make a list of pros and cons to buying a head unit with Android Auto and an Android Head Unit. Here are just a few that I can come up with.

Android Auto Pros:
- brand name likely with superior product support
- likely better stock stereo features (HD radio, RDS, Sirius XM, etc
- it is "safer" because it doesn't allow searching long music lists, etc while driving
- As long as the firmware can be updated to include later Android versions, when you want to update your Android phone its a lot easier than updating an entire stereo when a newer version of Android on Android HUs become available.

Android Auto Cons:
- Not all phones are supported from what I understand
- Some popular apps are not supported (i.e. Pandora
- Requires phone to be connected via USB. I'm not sure if this is necessarily a con however, because I'm assuming if you are using your phone as a hotspot you may need to have it plugged in regardless.
- While I'm not sure about this (correct me if I'm wrong), but I assume since you're mirroring your phone apps to a non-android device there is another layer of technology that can have bugs in and of itself
- Requires additional apps on your phone eating up space and resources
- relatively expensive

Android Head Unit Pros:
- No need for specific phone support
- Any app you can download on the app store you can use in your dash. Not that I'm going to be watching netflix driving down the road, but maybe my passenger wants to look up a good mexican restaurant on Yelp while we're driving.
- You can use a wifi hotspot other than your phone to provide the wireless signal if you want
- You can root these if they are not already rooted and run custom rom
- You can run Torque
- relatively cheap for what you get

Android Head Unit Cons:
- It seems like most of these are Chinese brands with little product support from the [unkknown] manufacture
- many complaints about internal mics and whatnot (although thanks to sites like this there are some workarounds for that)
- I'm guessing the quality of the stereo itself is probably not as good as when you purchase US brand name deck.


I can understand why the general public (mom, dad included) might see a benefit in having a car with an OEM-included Android Auto stereo if they're already using an Android phone and they like it. However for people who frequent this site, barring intellectual curiosity or being an audiophile who needs a top-of-the-line Pioneer deck and wants to be able to make hands-free calls or use Google Maps, I want to know why you all would choose a stereo with Android Auto vs an Android Head Unit. Thanks in advance for discussing this.

 

[Solutions Etcetera]

For me, I have yet to see an Android head unit without deal breaking issues. Crappy in-call experience, radio, music setup and performance, Bluetooth, etc.

I just don't need that when I'm driving. I do miss not having Torque on AA, but it's just not worth putting up with all the other issues in order to have it.

Trust me, if someone made an Android head unit that was like a Nexus with a decent audio section, I'd be all over it, but it doesn't exist. I have thought about putting a tablet in my truck with a good preamp and amps, but there are too many issues, not the least of which is not being able to see it with polarized shades on.

 

[kjdBonez]

For me, I have yet to see an Android head unit without deal breaking issues. Crappy in-call experience, radio, music setup and performance, Bluetooth, etc.

I just don't need that when I'm driving. I do miss not having Torque on AA, but it's just not worth putting up with all the other issues in order to have it.

Trust me, if someone made an Android head unit that was like a Nexus with a decent audio section, I'd be all over it, but it doesn't exist. I have thought about putting a tablet in my truck with a good preamp and amps, but there are too many issues, not the least of which is not being able to see it with polarized shades on.

First of all you can probably mount your Nexus tablet in landscape - as long as the screen is perpendicular to your shades than the polarized lens' wont matter.

But please expand on "all the other issues." Since you talk about putting a good preamp and amps in your car I assume that the sound quality is a big factor for you. Are the Android HUs that bad? What if you wire one line-out to an amp? Are the signals so much worse than a factory or name-brand aftermarket stereo that if you had a high quality amplifier it would still be very poor? I'm being serious here because I've never used one of these chinese HUs... I just saw some video reviews on YouTube of a couple of them and they looked pretty awesome. What AA stereo do you currently have, and how do you like it? Thanks

 

[rod156]

Having installed another "Hui Fei"-style 4.4 head unit on a Ford Ranger XLT (2000) as a replacement for the aging stock radio, it's not bad at all. Google Maps, Pandora, Radio (via MCU), and Bluetooth all worked out of the box, even with an iPhone in hotspot mode. Touchscreen was rather accurate and snappy, the slightly larger DPI mode helped when sitting afar; it may be annoying with some apps, but tools allow you to change the DPI mode.

Build quality is usually fine, buttons are solid and knobs aren't loose. Sometimes used/eBay units have non-working buttons, so be wary about that.

The particular unit I got had an external Mic input (phono 3.5mm), so calls worked just fine over BT after mounting a nicer PC mic. Many units also have line-level outputs if you hate the built-in tech and want to use some aftermarket amps/speakers.

I do have to say that the 20-30 second boot time might be offputting to some, but I don't find it to be too bad, specially since backup camera works via MCU, and therefore during boot.

 

[Solutions Etcetera]

First of all you can probably mount your Nexus tablet in landscape - as long as the screen is perpendicular to your shades than the polarized lens' wont matter.

But please expand on "all the other issues." Since you talk about putting a good preamp and amps in your car I assume that the sound quality is a big factor for you. Are the Android HUs that bad? What if you wire one line-out to an amp? Are the signals so much worse than a factory or name-brand aftermarket stereo that if you had a high quality amplifier it would still be very poor? I'm being serious here because I've never used one of these chinese HUs... I just saw some video reviews on YouTube of a couple of them and they looked pretty awesome. What AA stereo do you currently have, and how do you like it? Thanks

In landscape, with Drivewears (what I wear), you can't see it at all.

There is also the fact that a tablet is not designed to withstand being in a locked up car when it is 100 degrees outside. Not interested in coming out of work seeing my car on fire because the battery exploded. Not good for the screen either.

Could remove the battery for a straight power connection, but boot time is too long, and there are still screen issues.

And touch targets can be very small with a lot of apps interfaces, making it a real distraction when driving, and no interface with steering wheel controls.

As for 'other' issues with Android clone units; bugs. They're all over the place and you never know what issue will crop up when you're driving; no thanks.

I have a pioneer 4100 nex. And even it isn't perfect on AA. Occasionally there are issues with audio feeds and or controls, but for the most part it's solid.

 

[mikereidis]

I want to know why you all would choose a stereo with Android Auto vs an Android Head Unit. Thanks in advance for discussing this.

How about a "best of all worlds" solution ?

I haven't tried it myself yet, but the paid ($30 ?) AppRadio Unchained Reloaded app allows HDMI+USB mirroring on many Pioneer HUs: http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/paid-software/android-4-0-root-appradio-unchained-t2955966

Run it with a Pioneer Android Auto (AA) HU and you can choose between AA and true/full mirroring of any Android phone (or tablet/other device) you use. Requires a plugged phone for AA or Android mirroring however, but with the option of AM/FM/HD/CD/MP3 etc. standalone.

I have a 4100 NEX and it seems competent for USD $550 or so these days.

 

[mikereidis]

I have seen some threads where people are talking about porting android auto to an android head unit. I have also seen some threads where people are talking about putting android auto on a tablet or phone that they plan to mount in their car. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand the rationale for either of these. If you have an android head unit, don't you already have all of the capabilities of android auto built into your head unit? Similarly if you are going to mount a phone or tablet on your dash then why not use those apps that are already native to your phone/tablet?

Android enthusiasts with a budget consider MANY details and tradeoffs before deciding on a new phone or tablet. Do I NEED NFC ? Can I make do without an SDCard and only 32 GB ? What size is best ?...

Similarly, those of us looking for automotive infotainment solutions have a complex set of needs and desires, and many different solutions all with their own pros and cons, as your post shows...

A person running my Headunit app for Android Auto (AA) on a phone or tablet, with or without another connected phone/tablet/device can get the integrated Android Auto experience at low, or no cost.

Run the app on your existing Android 5+ device in standalone mode and you've got AA for no additional cost. Or buy a Nexus 7 2013 for $150 new, run it standalone, or USB (or Wifi) connect to your phone. Quick, simple, cheap and upgradeable/hackable. Add a $20 car mount and a cheap cigar lighter outlet charger and plug it in.

Want better sound than crappy small speakers ? Plug headphone jack or do BT connect to an existing amp or HU.

Worried about theft or frying by cold or hot temperatures ? Remove phone/tablet from mount and take it with you when parked. $150 tablet breaks ? Buy a new one...

With my Headunit app for AA, you can "Recent Apps" away to home-screen and any other app. Then go back to the AA environment. Yes, some issues like sound require stopping and later restarting my app, but that's not so bad.


Some people will like the integrated, low distraction environment of AA.

Many Android enthusiasts will prefer the ability to easily run any Android app. Some of those apps may be very distracting, and WILL get you ticketed in many jurisdictions. Youtube is going to be "frowned on" at best by almost any cop.

The reason I ask is because I'm in the market for a new car stereo and the differences in cost between an aftermarket head unit with android auto and an android head unit (i.e. no-name chinese brand, etc) seem quite large. I've seen the reviews on here, Youtube and other places for some of the Chinese units and they seem very feature rich. Please help me make a list of pros and cons to buying a head unit with Android Auto and an Android Head Unit. Here are just a few that I can come up with.

There's a current thread wherein the OP feels he wasted his money on the Chinese HU (can we call them CHUs ?), and is wondering whether to get a different one or just go for a more expensive HU.

Many users seem to be happy with the CHUs, but I think many are unhappy as well. IMO many people get blocked by "gotcha's" and there are many annoying things in the software that nobody anywhere seems to be interested in fixing.

To me, Android 4.4.4 (at best) is almost an insult in late 2015 when Android 6.0 is about to be released (and has been running pretty well on my Nexus9 and other's 5's and 6's for months now.)

For those who like to tinker on the "bleeding edge" there are boards that run Android that can be hooked to touch-screens. I'm looking at this with a "96boards" project someone has started. $75 board designed by, and runs the latest Android from Qualcomm.


I think one dynamic here is that respected HU manufacturers don't want to provide full mirroring of smartphones, or an internal Android OS, lest they be sued into oblivion by distracted driving deaths and maimings.

The CHU OEMs are in China and would laugh if someone threatened to sue them.

And yeah, tablet in a car will have issues with temp/humidity and reliability, and USB connections are not "auto grade" and Wifi has issues too.

So, no perfect solution. Same as no perfect phone, tablet or person...

 

[mikereidis]

Android Auto Pros:
- brand name likely with superior product support
- likely better stock stereo features (HD radio, RDS, Sirius XM, etc
- it is "safer" because it doesn't allow searching long music lists, etc while driving
- As long as the firmware can be updated to include later Android versions, when you want to update your Android phone its a lot easier than updating an entire stereo when a newer version of Android on Android HUs become available.

- Yes, Pioneer or the other company I forget. I don't expect much support from Pioneer, but their products are supported by other companies, and there's a good critical mass of users to allow Google searches for issues. Firmware v1.03 seems good and may never be updated. Next years HUs will have new features (Wifi ?) which won't (or can't) be ported to this years HUs.
- Yes. HD and Sirius are pretty US specific.
- Yes. At least somewhat. Worlds better than watching videos at least.
- Note that custom ROM project for some Pioneer HUs is just started. No guarantees of course. In theory the stock HU firmware can forever stay at v1.03 and new versions of AA on the phone will breathe new life into it, as/if Google updates features. I think Google will have to support "old" 2016 HUs for a "good number" of years, or people driving 2016 cars with 2016 HU firmware will be hopping mad before their leases or loans are finished.

Android Auto Cons:
- Not all phones are supported from what I understand
- Some popular apps are not supported (i.e. Pandora
- Requires phone to be connected via USB. I'm not sure if this is necessarily a con however, because I'm assuming if you are using your phone as a hotspot you may need to have it plugged in regardless.
- While I'm not sure about this (correct me if I'm wrong), but I assume since you're mirroring your phone apps to a non-android device there is another layer of technology that can have bugs in and of itself
- Requires additional apps on your phone eating up space and resources
- relatively expensive

- Stock Android 5.0+ devices that pass Google's Compatibility Test Suites should generally work, but there have been some "beta" type issues on some popular Samsung devices at least.
- MANY popular apps are not supported by AA. Or rather some app categories aren't supported by AA and many popular audio and messaging app developers have not added specific support for AA. Some developers have felt "burned" by making special Wearable or TV apps and finding there's little demand for those features. Also, advertising is not allowed in AA compatible apps and most Android users do not pay for apps.
- Yes, there is a layer there much bigger than mere mirroring of video and touch. It's Google's framework and APIs specifically tuned and restricted for automotive infotainment functions. HU may or may not run Android, but it's easier and faster to run it on Android: example: Keycodes match and video decoder and encoder are symmetric. Pioneer runs Android underneath and that helped them put out AA HUs faster than the other guys.
- Android Auto APK is about 30 megabytes. Apps that support AA are the same size whether you use AA or not.
- $500 something for Pioneer 4100NEX.

Android Head Unit Pros:
- No need for specific phone support
- Any app you can download on the app store you can use in your dash. Not that I'm going to be watching netflix driving down the road, but maybe my passenger wants to look up a good mexican restaurant on Yelp while we're driving.
- You can use a wifi hotspot other than your phone to provide the wireless signal if you want
- You can root these if they are not already rooted and run custom rom
- You can run Torque
- relatively cheap for what you get

- Yes, runs standalone.
- Yes, any app runs, but landscape mode for apps is important. And there are "Car Mode" like apps such as Automate that try to provide something similar to AA.
- I guess.
- Root, sure.
- Torque, of course.
- $300 or so ? Some made for specific cars can be much more.

Android Head Unit Cons:
- It seems like most of these are Chinese brands with little product support from the [unkknown] manufacture
- many complaints about internal mics and whatnot (although thanks to sites like this there are some workarounds for that)
- I'm guessing the quality of the stereo itself is probably not as good as when you purchase US brand name deck.

- Yes, no support. More tolerable if source code is available.
- Many "gotchas" I guess. Pioneer comes with external mic and it works well for me.
- Yes, I expect average lifespan of CHUs to be lower than "Western World" major brandname HUs. Who knows though, and maybe we'll want to upgrade our HUs every few years anyway, regardless of quality.

I want to know why you all would choose a stereo with Android Auto vs an Android Head Unit. Thanks in advance for discussing this.

Android Head Unit would be a wonderful option IMO if an "automotive grade quality" HU was available for a decent price. Make it last at least 2-3 years, running new Android versions within 6 months of Nexus devices, be able to run common tasks quickly, and price it from $500-$1000. AFAICT no such device exists, or has even been announced at any price (Parrot is old vaporware).

So if you need real Android in the car, your options are: mounted phone or tablet or CHU, with all their pros and cons. Or maybe the Appradio Unchained Reloaded app and a Pioneer HU.

If AA and "classic stereo" functionality are all you need, Pioneer AA HUs' start around $550 USD or so.

If you "got no money" you mount your existing phone or tablet. If you want AA you can run my Headunit app, or you can get something similar with apps like Automate.

 

[kjdBonez]

For what its worth I got the Pioneer AVH 4100NEX and I love it. I have a Subaru Outback with automatic dual HVAC controls so that was a pain in the ass because I had to purchase an aftermarket fascia from Japan (the only place I could find one) which essentially disconnects the HVAC controls which are integrated into the stock HU and makes it a separate part. Then i had to get harnesses from somewhere else which are only available from one seller again haha..

But it looks good and the Android Auto seems to be pretty awesome from what I can tell. The main things I wanted was google maps and google music. I'll probably use Pandora and/or spotify as well but with this HU I also installed SiriusXM and since it has an HDMI input I can basically use a Chromecast for all of the other applications that a Chinese Android head unit would give me.

 

[giahuykute]

Làm root cái

Gửi từ IM-A760S của tôi bằng cách sử dụng Tapatalk

 

[krcsimple]

I vote for Android Auto due to the fact it is set up to make thing safer and to distract the driver less.

Voice activation works great.

It's still in it's infancy stage, so I assume it'll get much better as time goes on - and more apps are created to accommodate it.

It's simplistic, and does exactly what it is supposed to do.

 

[asdrewq]

I don't buy the 'android auto is safer' argument - does self control not exist anymore? You can configure an android head unit to just have 5 icons & hide the status bar if you want.
For me, Android auto is far too limiting. On my Android head unit I can customise everything exactly to my taste & what I want to see.

I agree in wishing that there was a 'premium grade' option of android HU & not just Chinese no name built to the lowest cost options & would gladly pay a bit more for quality DACs, regular software updates etc, but the latest models really aren't that bad.

 

[BPryde]

Kenwood exelon ddx9902s and i LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Had a top of the line Kenwood before that and it actually increased sound quality by far. I did the replacement to get AA (and ditch the IPOD) and did not even think i would end up with better sound. Starting to think maybe that the lack of a Apple product in the car has led to the quality increase. Before all the Apple heads jump on me just remember you or anyone else has no idea what apple did to the music sent to another device besides tell you it was DIGITAL and GREAT and the BEST THERE IS

First of all you can probably mount your Nexus tablet in landscape - as long as the screen is perpendicular to your shades than the polarized lens' wont matter.

But please expand on "all the other issues." Since you talk about putting a good preamp and amps in your car I assume that the sound quality is a big factor for you. Are the Android HUs that bad? What if you wire one line-out to an amp? Are the signals so much worse than a factory or name-brand aftermarket stereo that if you had a high quality amplifier it would still be very poor? I'm being serious here because I've never used one of these chinese HUs... I just saw some video reviews on YouTube of a couple of them and they looked pretty awesome. What AA stereo do you currently have, and how do you like it? Thanks

 

[mikereidis]

Before all the Apple heads jump on me just remember you or anyone else has no idea what apple did to the music sent to another device besides tell you it was DIGITAL and GREAT and the BEST THERE IS

I've never seen a single Apple bigot on this site, in 5 years. Maybe a few Android bigots here and there, but mostly just "fans".

The "worst" we have are reasonable people who understand that different mobile OS's have different pros and cons.

 

[BPryde]

Excellent. I am used to getting jumped all over for ditching apple so was just being proactive

 

[slinkydonkey]

Kenwood exelon ddx9902s and i LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Had a top of the line Kenwood before that and it actually increased sound quality by far. I did the replacement to get AA (and ditch the IPOD) and did not even think i would end up with better sound. Starting to think maybe that the lack of a Apple product in the car has led to the quality increase. Before all the Apple heads jump on me just remember you or anyone else has no idea what apple did to the music sent to another device besides tell you it was DIGITAL and GREAT and the BEST THERE IS

"Starting to think maybe that the lack of a Apple product in the car has led to the quality increase" so what is Apple Car Play ?

I would buy an Android Auto Head Unit as it just works I spend all day at work fixing IT problems the last thing I want to do is have them at home or in my car to deal with.
I think Apples implementation of Car Play looks great however I don't and never will buy an over priced Iphone funny thing is though the Andriod Auto Head Units are over priced so IPhone now looks great value! :laugh:

 

[BPryde]

"Starting to think maybe that the lack of a Apple product in the car has led to the quality increase" so what is Apple Car Play ?

I would buy an Android Auto Head Unit as it just works I spend all day at work fixing IT problems the last thing I want to do is have them at home or in my car to deal with.
I think Apples implementation of Car Play looks great however I don't and never will buy an over priced Iphone funny thing is though the Andriod Auto Head Units are over priced so IPhone now looks great value! :laugh:

Apple car play is about the same as android auto but different. Auto gives you an interface on your head unit screen but gets its data and stuff it needs from the phone. Car play dumps a bunch of icons on your head unit and makes your car look like an apple product. Auto is very slimmed down to the things you can do but it is for safety! You should be driving. This will piss you off at first thought but after learning the voice commands (it's really good) you will not only understand but you will be a better driver I can set reminders and Google calendar events while diving down the road. I can also send google hangouts messages (and reply) by voice as well. Having google maps in the dash is awesome as well. People will say that "sirri" does all that but I would rather have google looking up answers to my questions. Google is the data company.

---------- Post added at 11:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------

I don't buy the 'android auto is safer' argument - does self control not exist anymore? You can configure an android head unit to just have 5 icons & hide the status bar if you want.
For me, Android auto is far too limiting. On my Android head unit I can customise everything exactly to my taste & what I want to see.

I agree in wishing that there was a 'premium grade' option of android HU & not just Chinese no name built to the lowest cost options & would gladly pay a bit more for quality DACs, regular software updates etc, but the latest models really aren't that bad.

Probably the same words spoken by the guy that ran over a 2 year old while he was reaching for an icon to press!

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ----------

I've never seen a single Apple bigot on this site, in 5 years. Maybe a few Android bigots here and there, but mostly just "fans".

The "worst" we have are reasonable people who understand that different mobile OS's have different pros and cons.

Missed this message.. Excellent that is good to hear

 

[illmatik]

We all use Android because it allows us to do what we want, when we want. It's for that reason I am for the Head Units rather than Android Auto.

I'm all for safety, but I feel the driver should bear that responsibility. Everyone already has a phone in their pocket that they can infinitely distract themselves with, it's no different than an Android Head Unit. You are behind the wheel of your car, you know what's right and wrong.

I've racked up over 15,000 miles of commuter stop and go (3 hours a day) with my head unit and I've been nothing short of a safe driver. I don't drive around town downloading apps and configuring them on the fly. It's not hard to set up your unit the way you like while your car is stationary at home.

 

[mikereidis]

I think Apples implementation of Car Play looks great however I don't and never will buy an over priced Iphone funny thing is though the Andriod Auto Head Units are over priced so IPhone now looks great value! :laugh:

Pioneer 4100NEX is as cheap as $500 US on EBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PIONEER...032177?hash=item1c5c43cf71:g:qxUAAOSwAYtWOqyj

Supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Appradio Unchained Reloaded, and works stand-alone too.

 

[slinkydonkey]

"Pioneer 4100NEX is as cheap as $500 US on EBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PIONEER-...UAAOSwAYtWOqyj"

I'm in UK but serious even $500 isn't cheap there is no way I would want to put a £500 car stereo in my car so someone can just break in and steal it.
I've see this Car Play one for http://www.carsoundsandsecurity.co.uk/store/sph-da120/ for £274.95

Most people on this thread seem to like Android Head Units which one is the most reliable one at the moment?