Kenwood DNN990HD - Android 4.0.4 car stereo - How to get started with rooting?

[sofakng]

There is a new line of Kenwood car stereos ("DNN" series) including the DNN990HD and DNN790HD.

They are running Android and another thread suggests it's running the following version:

Kernal version
3.0.8-tcc
[email protected] #2
Mon apr 22 16:36:28 jst 2013

Build number
Binks_v8-userdebug 4.0.4 IMM76D eng.root.20130422 test-keys

How can I get started with trying to install the Play Store and/or root the device?

There are two female USB ports on the back but I don't think it has any other ports.

Should I purchase a USB male-to-male cable and try to connect both ports to my PC? ...and then run "adb devices" ?

Can anybody give me any other tips?

 

[siralsmooth]

I did notice that there're is a 4 pin connector hidden under a clear plactic tab on the right side of the unit. It is either a J-tag or a proprietary USB connector. The older models with WindowsCE core had a 6 pin connector under the same plastic tab. I have a feeling that's a clue to adb access. On a side note, I tried almosst every possible button press/hold combo upon reset/boot to try to find recovery with no success. And while the android version is build 8 the Kenwood build is version is 1.0. I have a feeling that the only other way in will involve modifying an update file.

-Sent from a secret place in an unknown location.

 

[sofakng]

I did notice that there're is a 4 pin connector hidden under a clear plactic tab on the right side of the unit. It is either a J-tag or a proprietary USB connector. The older models with WindowsCE core had a 6 pin connector under the same plastic tab. I have a feeling that's a clue to adb access. On a side note, I tried almosst every possible button press/hold combo upon reset/boot to try to find recovery with no success. And while the android version is build 8 the Kenwood build is version is 1.0. I have a feeling that the only other way in will involve modifying an update file.

-Sent from a secret place in an unknown location.

Thanks for the information!

Do you have a picture of the connector?

USB is 4 pins so maybe it's just a different connector on one side of the cable? (to prevent people from "easily" plugging in a USB A-to-B cable)

...or maybe it's a serial port requiring a USB-to-RS232 cable? (like what is used to update the Metra Axxess ASWX-1 steering wheel adapter)

 

[siralsmooth]

Here is a photo of the connector as well as a couple of other photos. If it is a rs232 like the flashlogic or xk loader, then it's essentially J-tag. Been a while since I did any J-tag modding though. I also tried plugging in the flashlogic/idatalink loader to the back plug and got nowhere as well. So far, I've found that you can plug in a usb keyboard and mouse for full easy control. I tried to use the browser for a file tree listing but it returns nothing. I was unable to figure out the mount path for the usb flash when connected, or I otherwise would have tried to run/install an apk directly. I also accessed gmail via the web window, changed the UA string for desktop, and tried to download an apk I sent myself with no luck, download showed up, but never started.

 

[enalborno]

So I just downloaded the Google play store.apk file online (did a google search and downloaded the APK) and then uploaded the apk to my dropbox account. I then opened the browser in the DNN990HD and went to the dropbox.com website, logged in, and downloaded the apk file. It downloaded fine and I then launched it. I then got an error message saying "Install Blocked For security, your tablet is set to block installation of applications not obtained from Android Market."

Normally this is no big deal because you just go to applications and allow unknown sources to be installed on your device but Kenwood has hidden or gotten rid of that menu item so I can't access it. It looks like the next step is to figure out some sort of update.zip file but I haven't figured out if there's a way to get into the android bootloader on this thing.

Any other ideas out there yet?

 

[sofakng]

I don't have anything to contribute, but I really, really hope some of the XDA guys can figure this out...

 

[2003vstrom]

yeah this is a sweet radio, Installed it last weekend and love it,I used the Idatalink Maestro RR and i have all of my vehicle info on the radio screen it a sweet set-up, would be nice to install a regular gmail app and the play store, i`m wonder how much processor it has to run all of this stuff already. I wish I could figure out how to keep the Sirius replay off permanently.

 

[sshams95]

Need to find a developer and probably enough donations raised to accomplish this.

 

[Sim-X]

I just put one of these in my car, it's pretty nice. I already noticed a force close on the launcher, lol. It only happened once I have since updated the BT firmware & software. What pisses me off it was suppose to have spotify support out of the box and I can't find any information on it really. I'm hoping this gets added with an update.I also wish they would have included OTA update support, you have to download it manually from kenwood & use a flashdrive.

 

[IGO2UA]

DNN990HD Bluetooth Pairing

Has anyone had problems pairing their device with the DNN990HD? After installing the Kenwood firmware update I can't get the Pandora app on the head unit to connect to my Galaxy S4. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[zedhed]

So Could we maybe use this "USB UPDATE" method to gain install or root access?

 

[ScottyMCSE]

I just installed one of these as well. Love it. I'd be willing to try almost anything to help get it rooted and have the Play store on it.

Scott

 

[spongebobmoviept]

Okay guys I just tried editing the update for the radio by injecting the play story and a couple other apps I like into the update itself. The file structure is incredibly similar to a phone update. Unfortunately it did not go well. As it was updating it started to work but then the dead android icon appeared like a E: signature verification failed but it did not say that. I am only an amateur but it seems like we need a custom recovery or a way to adb either wired or maybe by wifi? I'm here to learn too so please any input would help.

 

[LostinCanada]

Looking for hack into DNN 990 also... plus bluetooth issues...

LOL glad to see my favorite forums are on the DNN990 mission! Any progress on full access/root?

As well, I am having issues using bluetooth media with the device. The phone option works great (although it took several attempts to pair - those having trouble with this might like to know the unit won't pair if you have media source set to Pandora). The problem I'm having is with Ankidroid - I can't get the unit to broadcast my flashcards using text-to-speech, even though my present setup works on other hands-free devices. I tried playing audio file over bluetooth as well and it wouldn't work either. Any solutions?

Thanks!

 

[Johnoryan]

APP Store

I just installed one of these as well. Love it. I'd be willing to try almost anything to help get it rooted and have the Play store on it.

Scott

Google search: Amazon app store download. Should be the first link

Download and install

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------

LOL glad to see my favorite forums are on the DNN990 mission! Any progress on full access/root?

As well, I am having issues using bluetooth media with the device. The phone option works great (although it took several attempts to pair - those having trouble with this might like to know the unit won't pair if you have media source set to Pandora). The problem I'm having is with Ankidroid - I can't get the unit to broadcast my flashcards using text-to-speech, even though my present setup works on other hands-free devices. I tried playing audio file over bluetooth as well and it wouldn't work either. Any solutions?

Thanks!

Check and see what firmware version you are running. They released an update on the 31st of last month that corrected such issues. Ver 1.2.0 is the most recent release. If you need to download it check out the kenwood website and look under the support tab -> car entertainment for Firmware updates.

 

[LostinCanada]

Google search: Amazon app store download. Should be the first link
Download and install

I think we're looking for Google Play store - so we can install apps - but we're locked out. I asked Kenwood tech support if there are plans for more apps and/or the Play store and the guy said not at this time. So any help to break in would be greatly appreciated!

Check and see what firmware version you are running. They released an update on the 31st of last month that corrected such issues. Ver 1.2.0 is the most recent release. If you need to download it check out the kenwood website and look under the support tab -> car entertainment for Firmware updates.

Did the firmware and the bluetooth update and so far no joy. However I'm now having a problem getting text-to-speech working on Ankidroid minus the bluetooth so must fix this problem first.

 

[Orisai]

I wonder what processor runs this unit. If we can find it out by software or opening the unit, it might give us some clues on how we could root it and unleash it's full potential.

 

[Sim-X]

Has anyone had problems pairing their device with the DNN990HD? After installing the Kenwood firmware update I can't get the Pandora app on the head unit to connect to my Galaxy S4. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Check BT settings on the deck, pandora has to be enabled. Took me a few minutes to figure it out the first time I set it up. It works great though, the BT control is fantastic don't even have to open the app. It just works. I will say after having the deck now for a few weeks, it's extremely nice however my HTC one is a much more powerful machine. You could put a top of line 4G ipad in would be a much more power machine. The resolution on the deck sucks and I don't wanna call it laggy but it's certainly not as fast as my HTC One. Granted a tablet is not made to control audio in a car. I'm sure a lot of the price take is the R&D that went into it, also certain car only functions a phone can't do. Like SiriusXM that you can pause from a satellite feed. Backup camera support which is nice which even works when the deck isn't booted yet. HD radio is absolutely fantastic. I never listed to the radio in the past but all my pre-sets now are HD only. Those thinking about the deck, yes it's cool but it's not the worth the money they are asking for it in my opinion. The built in Garmin Nav is pretty good, like I said a lot of the price tag your paying for the R&D that went into the thing since it's made specifically to work in a car but at the end of the day it's just android.

yeah this is a sweet radio, Installed it last weekend and love it,I used the Idatalink Maestro RR and i have all of my vehicle info on the radio screen it a sweet set-up, would be nice to install a regular gmail app and the play store, i`m wonder how much processor it has to run all of this stuff already. I wish I could figure out how to keep the Sirius replay off permanently.

Look around in the settings, I wanna say I saw some where to shut it off by default. It's actually kinda a neat feature but can be annoying at times. One thing that pisses me off is when scrolling through channel list, it doesn't show what is currently playing. I had an old Sirius radio with boombox attachment that it use to do that years ago. Also changing your preset banks is a hassle if you don't have list view up which I also find annoying. I'm getting use to it though.

 

[IGO2UA]

RE: Bluetooth

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I think I may have caused the problem when I rooted my Galaxy S 4 and flashed a new rom. I have working now. I have agree with you on the lagging of the head unit. The could have put a little faster processor in the unit, especially for what they cost.

Check BT settings on the deck, pandora has to be enabled. Took me a few minutes to figure it out the first time I set it up. It works great though, the BT control is fantastic don't even have to open the app. It just works. I will say after having the deck now for a few weeks, it's extremely nice however my HTC one is a much more powerful machine. You could put a top of line 4G ipad in would be a much more power machine. The resolution on the deck sucks and I don't wanna call it laggy but it's certainly not as fast as my HTC One. Granted a tablet is not made to control audio in a car. I'm sure a lot of the price take is the R&D that went into it, also certain car only functions a phone can't do. Like SiriusXM that you can pause from a satellite feed. Backup camera support which is nice which even works when the deck isn't booted yet. HD radio is absolutely fantastic. I never listed to the radio in the past but all my pre-sets now are HD only. Those thinking about the deck, yes it's cool but it's not the worth the money they are asking for it in my opinion. The built in Garmin Nav is pretty good, like I said a lot of the price tag your paying for the R&D that went into the thing since it's made specifically to work in a car but at the end of the day it's just android.



Look around in the settings, I wanna say I saw some where to shut it off by default. It's actually kinda a neat feature but can be annoying at times. One thing that pisses me off is when scrolling through channel list, it doesn't show what is currently playing. I had an old Sirius radio with boombox attachment that it use to do that years ago. Also changing your preset banks is a hassle if you don't have list view up which I also find annoying. I'm getting use to it though.

 

[Sim-X]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I think I may have caused the problem when I rooted my Galaxy S 4 and flashed a new rom. I have working now. I have agree with you on the lagging of the head unit. The could have put a little faster processor in the unit, especially for what they cost.

For sure but it's still a great deck hopefully a few more firmware updates will get it even smoother. I have a paid Pandora subscription but there is no way to select bit rate but it sounds decent in the car. I use a rooted htc one with hacked apk and the unlimited skips works perfectly even through the deck which is great. Only bottleneck is sprints net zero 3g network. LTE isn't done yet in my area but it's getting there. Pandora is pretty fast over bt to the deck on LTE.

Sent from my HTCONE using xda premium