[Discussion/Tips] Nexus 7 as Car-Tablet.

[tesna]

yeah, I'm going to have to do it. close apps and set airplane mode with screen off at power, and a timer to shut down after a few hours. Off_charge_mode will take care of the rest with screen, radios on at power on.

Having an add issue. the tablet is powering the charger, and the key circuit of the car, through the otg cable.
Further research shows its functioning just as it's supposed too. This is also the cause of the issues I was contributing to pem.
When the power is shut off while a otg device is connected, or the tablet thinks is connected, it doesn't sleep and powers the otg device, my charger, from the tablet. At that point it doesn't recognize any change in external power until its physically unplugged and reconnected.
Source, timur: http://mehrvarz.github.io/usb-host-mode-power-management-nexus7/
This leads me to believe pem isn't switching the fixed install trigger, or oxydo-revamp has a bug.

Well, I dont use Y otg cable (yet), just straight plug it into a charger. Thingking to add usb-dac to improve the SQ a bit but your issue now worries me also.

Will the use of diodes work? Did you use off the shelf Y otg cable or made one yourself?

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Well, I dont use Y otg cable (yet), just straight plug it into a charger. Thingking to add usb-dac to improve the SQ a bit but your issue now worries me also.

Will the use of diodes work? Did you use off the shelf Y otg cable or made one yourself?

The OTG cable is basically one I bought but it was modified with longer/thicker cables.
I've found a lot of info on OTG cables and OTG in general. I'll be switching to a hub.
That will allow the tablet to be charged by one charger and the accessories will be powered independently by the hub's power supply. Here's the info on that: https://sites.google.com/site/sonicboomworld/my-projects/otg-and-charging
*actually that's not the site showing the split power supply.

I'm to going for a DAC too but that will likely change my my install. Right now the tablet is only a display getting its navigation and music from the phone through Headunit. That also allows me to use voice features through the car's microphone since I'm using bluetooth. I'll have to switch audio to the tablet and input it to the car's auxiliary, finding a way to use the car's microphone, it's wired to the auxiliary jack, with the DAC.
The UCA202 is supposed to be an awesome unit according to the market it's intended for, musicians.
It can be found at local music suppy shops for $30. It's flexible enough to be connected straight to an amp with RCA, or an existing unit through the headphone output. I'm going to try it out when my hub arrives.

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Update

• The 2nd OTG in the OP is the one to get! charges the tablet at 850Mah.
  
• SOB! Not Ampere knocking the tablet out of FI. Apparently I'm getting a random crash that's doing it.
  Trying a different kernel.
  
• Not all hubs are created equal. The one I bought today had horrible data transfer speed. It would barely work with Android Auto's H.264. I would suggest checking transfer speed on a PC before making any modifications for car use.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Just a tip.... don't bother buying any nice new Polarized sunglasses for driving if you have a Nexus 7 car stereo.
When the Nexus 7 is in landscape mode, it's LCD panel does something that the Polarized lens can't handle. Screen looks super dark, and totally unuseable in my situation. Looks just fine when in portrait mode though.

 

[TomCat_s]

hi guys,
well im struggling with my install a lot, so i decided to make as simple as possible. Main job for my nexus will be SAT NAV so i just need good battery life and fast charge. Recently I installed CHROMA rom and battery stands great and charge as well but performence droped quite bad :/ for eg when i launch TomTom Sat Nav and want to set a destination whole menu just doesnt run smooth :/ So I want to come back to stock 5.1.1 but I need fast charge, can You help me what kernel should I add??
Kind Regards
TomCat_s

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Just a tip.... don't bother buying any nice new Polarized sunglasses for driving if you have a Nexus 7 car stereo.
When the Nexus 7 is in landscape mode, it's LCD panel does something that the Polarized lens can't handle. Screen looks super dark, and totally unuseable in my situation. Looks just fine when in portrait mode though.

yup, that's one of those things you realize instantly.

... I want to come back to stock 5.1.1 but I need fast charge, can You help me what kernel should I add??
Kind Regards
TomCat_s

you have 3 choices only. M-Kernel A76, Franco R82, or Oxydo-Revamp. Oxydo is the only one with otg charging but that doesn't sound like an issue for you.

My system is running ridiculous. My awake time is typically 0% over 18 hours.
I've set a Tasker profile, I'll update an op later, that kills apps and then uses power event manager to sleep the tablet is power event manager fails to do it on its own. Only issue is it will be in airplane mode on wake when that happens.
My problem with falling out of fixed install mode hasn't happened in awhile, the random crash is the cause as I still get the crash and the setting still sticks.

 

[KleBoR]

Hello, i hope im right in this topic..
I want to setup my nexus 7 (2012 3g) as a car pc but the old screen of the nav sys is a little bit to small (just 2-3mm) i was wondering if theres a way (yes its rooted) to move the status bar and the soft keys a bit lower/higher to fit the screen? Or make the screen a bit smaller ?
Thank you =)

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Hello, i hope im right in this topic..
I want to setup my nexus 7 (2012 3g) as a car pc but the old screen of the nav sys is a little bit to small (just 2-3mm) i was wondering if theres a way (yes its rooted) to move the status bar and the soft keys a bit lower/higher to fit the screen? Or make the screen a bit smaller ?
Thank you =)

Nothing I know of.

 

[tulongest]

I'm about to start working on this project as well for my E46. I found my dusty tablet the other day and got it running on BSZAospLP v1.9 with data and cache on f2fs. I'm looking for a kernel/ROM that will support USB OTG/host mode so I can connect a DAC/Preamp, steering wheel module (Joycon), and possibly a webcam for a rear camera. As much as possible, I want to use my ROM as it's really fast, compared to stock before. Hmm, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm probably going to saturate the bus I/O too much, so considering bluetooth as well.

I'd like to be able to pair phones to my tablet too and have phones stream audio (stored on phone) and take phone calls (no, I don't mean Tablet Talk where you can answer the call on the tablet but you still need a headset connected to your phone). Viber and Hangouts Dialer (now with Outbound Caller ID) works out for now at least for the call function and I can just download the music to my tablet on Play Music for later.

I've been using AutoMate on my phone so far and looking to try this on my tablet as well. Haven't tried the Headunit app that was linked here yet but will try once I get my OTG cable.

Looking forward to integrate my N7 to my car.

 

[fr4nk1yn]

I'm about to start working on this project as well for my E46. I found my dusty tablet the other day and got it running on BSZAospLP v1.9 with data and cache on f2fs. I'm looking for a kernel/ROM that will support USB OTG/host mode so I can connect a DAC/Preamp, steering wheel module (Joycon), and possibly a webcam for a rear camera. As much as possible, I want to use my ROM as it's really fast, compared to stock before. Hmm, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm probably going to saturate the bus I/O too much, so considering bluetooth as well.

I'd like to be able to pair phones to my tablet too and have phones stream audio (stored on phone) and take phone calls (no, I don't mean Tablet Talk where you can answer the call on the tablet but you still need a headset connected to your phone). Viber and Hangouts Dialer (now with Outbound Caller ID) works out for now at least for theall function and I can just download the music to my tablet on Play Music for later.

I've been using AutoMate on my phone so far and looking to try this on my tablet as well. Haven't tried the Headunit app that was linked here yet but will try once I get my OTG cable.

Looking forward to integrate my N7 to my car.

Oxydo-Revamp is the only Lollipop kernel that will do OTG charge.

Headunit could take car of the dialer. But calls are still routed over bluetooth.
I may have to finally check out Automate. The latest Headunit is flaky and sound with the DAC is too good to go back to bluetooth. I'm really rethinking my whole software strategy. Headunit is also going to a subscription format which I abhor for software.

 

[tulongest]

Oxydo-Revamp is the only Lollipop kernel that will do OTG charge.

Headunit could take car of the dialer. But calls are still routed over bluetooth.
I may have to finally check out Automate. The latest Headunit is flaky and sound with the DAC is too good to go back to bluetooth. I'm really rethinking my whole software strategy. Headunit is also going to a subscription format which I abhor for software.

Automate was really convenient while I was driving from Toronto to Vancouver five months ago. It really gave me lots of handsfree options while making the long drive.
I gave the developer lots of feedback and bought premium for it. Highly recommend it.

It's too bad there's no way to fully pair phones to the tablet. That would make the N7 implemention complete.

 

[tesna]

+1 for automate! A must have app for car install

 

[fr4nk1yn]

+1 for automate! A must have app for car install

I started play in with it yesterday. The main issue is no notifications from the phone or call access, wouldn't be an issue if using Automate on the phone.
I use my phone way too icy in the car. Android Auto was simplifying this.

 

[tulongest]

The AutoMate developer will try to implement it if requested. He's been pretty good at listening to user requests.

EDIT: Some people have already requested this many times. I'm guessing the developer is trying to implement it as well. It will be great if the tablet can act as a A2DP sink, so we can properly pair our phones to the N7.

EDIT 2: Looks like for the tablet to be an A2DP sink, a ROM needs to be able to support it. I found a changeset that implements A2DP sink ability someone tried to commit into AOSP but was denied. Not sure who to direct this to but if I had knowledge of AOSP, I'd do it myself.

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Install is giving me a fit right now. Repaced Headunit with Waze and Play Music on the tablet itself. Wakelocks are insane. NlpCollectorWakLock is back in full effect.
Using Tasker heavily to pause then stop music, which closes it, Shut down Waze with the close intent, and then kill everything else. Doesn't help one bit.

Also got the 5.1vdc/10amp dc to dc convertor in today and after hacking on usb plugs from a dead hub the tablet charges at only 70Mah.

Lots more setup to do.

 

[SiK TL]

Install is giving me a fit right now. Repaced Headunit with Waze and Play Music on the tablet itself. Wakelocks are insane. NlpCollectorWakLock is back in full effect.
Using Tasker heavily to pause then stop music, which closes it, Shut down Waze with the close intent, and then kill everything else. Doesn't help one bit.

Also got the 5.1vdc/10amp dc to dc convertor in today and after hacking on usb plugs from a dead hub the tablet charges at only 70Mah.

Lots more setup to do.

I'm not to sure what your set up is like. If you have time check out this thread.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3095884

Following these steps should help you with your wakelocks. I'm running a fixed car install Nexus 7 2012 5.1.1 Chroma w/ franco.kernel r82. I kid you not I can go almost 24hrs with 0% battery loss. Which is crucial for me since I drive my car 3-4 days a week for short periods of time.

 

[fr4nk1yn]

I'm not to sure what your set up is like. If you have time check out this thread.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3095884

Following these steps should help you with your wakelocks. I'm running a fixed car install Nexus 7 2012 5.1.1 Chroma w/ franco.kernel r82. I kid you not I can go almost 24hrs with 0% battery loss. Which is crucial for me since I drive my car 3-4 days a week for short periods of time.

It was a hit or miss. Some days it was 0%, somedauys it used 16%! The tablet stopped charging again after the last discharge. After being plugged in almost a day it charged 8%. It forced me to do a number of things I didn't want to. Basics is I bought a N7'13 and Timur's kernel.
I wanted to make the N7'12 work but it had to call it. IF Headunit was working reliably the N7'12 would be perfect for the task, but relying on one piece of software and one developer isn't terribly smart IMO.

The N7'13 runs lollipop without a hitch, waze and music works quick and smooth. The increasingly sophisticated Tasker script isn't needed either.
Timur's was necessary as ElementalX kernel had a problem with the DAC. The DAC wouldn't even power on unless the OTG cable was unplugged and reconnected. Oxydo-Revamp is really fantastic in what it does.

 

[TomCat_s]

Hi guys, Im almost there with my install now im have problem with tasker and waking up tablet. Generally everything works till i start engine..... well when i turn on ignition tablet turns on screen turns on so OK BUT when turn the key to start the engine, it cut off the power to tablet for like 2-3 sec and that cause to activate power off profile on tasker, even so power came back and power on profile is on now. As a result tablet goes off after few seconds since i start the engine... :/ I put "wait" task into power off profile but didnt help.... :/ any ideas??

 

[EclipseX]

the probleme with nexus 7 2013 is the location of USB and the headphones. The N7 2012 its easy to open and relocate the headphones and usb to the back of the device, and then its easy to hide all cables

I fix mine with magnetic iman and hide cables behind xD
check mine:

It was a hit or miss. Some days it was 0%, somedauys it used 16%! The tablet stopped charging again after the last discharge. After being plugged in almost a day it charged 8%. It forced me to do a number of things I didn't want to. Basics is I bought a N7'13 and Timur's kernel.
I wanted to make the N7'12 work but it had to call it. IF Headunit was working reliably the N7'12 would be perfect for the task, but relying on one piece of software and one developer isn't terribly smart IMO.

The N7'13 runs lollipop without a hitch, waze and music works quick and smooth. The increasingly sophisticated Tasker script isn't needed either.
Timur's was necessary as ElementalX kernel had a problem with the DAC. The DAC wouldn't even power on unless the OTG cable was unplugged and reconnected. Oxydo-Revamp is really fantastic in what it does.

 

[SiK TL]

Hi guys, Im almost there with my install now im have problem with tasker and waking up tablet. Generally everything works till i start engine..... well when i turn on ignition tablet turns on screen turns on so OK BUT when turn the key to start the engine, it cut off the power to tablet for like 2-3 sec and that cause to activate power off profile on tasker, even so power came back and power on profile is on now. As a result tablet goes off after few seconds since i start the engine... :/ I put "wait" task into power off profile but didnt help.... :/ any ideas??

I'm not using Tasker. Im using MacroDroid but I had a similar issue. I usually let my fuel pump run for 5 seconds which gives it power. Then i crank. Which cuts off power and then power on again for a slight second. I had a macro set to turn off airplane mode when power was detected,and and then turn screen off. Then I had another macro turn on airplane mode, a 3 second delay. Then turn screen off when power was disconnected. The issue ended up being that 3 second delay. I took that out and my issue went away. Maybe not the same but it could lead you in the right direction.