Here is what I did - fairly detailed write up and lots of pics - http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-7-2013/general/nexus-7-2013-install-dash-lexus-gs400-t3181496
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4I 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.4
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.
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...1I 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.1
I've never owned a Chinese HU, but am avoiding them so far because they all seem to have many little problems that are unlikely to ever be fixed, to say nothing of being forever stuck on Android 4.4 or earlier.
I think most flexible is Pioneer HUs that support AA, CarPlay, AND AppRadio.
AppRadio with the AppRadio Unchained Reloaded app allows full mirroring of your phone to the HU. Voila: An HU that "runs" whatever your phone runs. And with the option of going to AA or CarPlay if needed.1Please come back in 30 days or so and let us know if you are still as happy.
I hate to be a "downer", but reading the forums I can see that many people come across many little problems in day to day usage, and they post on XDA asking if anyone has solutions.
Of course, as always, people who are happy are less likely to post. And if you are happy, that's great and I'm happy that you're happy. I'm not posting just to criticize and be a "hater".
Are you OK with this device having Kitkat, and likely no upgrade ever to Lollipop ?
it has been over 3 months and if anything were to happen i would either try to fix it or exchange it for a new one..yeah im fine with kitkat..now if a new android unit comes out i would get it
