Hey Ive recently received the lollipop upgrade on my gs5 and just found the mirrorlink setting Which got me excited to try it with my new honda civics display audio head unit. I let my phone connect to the HU with Bluetooth then I plug the samsung usb3 cable into my phone and it starts connecting to mirrorlink on its own. This worked about 3 times in the hour I spent trying it this morning with sygic car nav and miroamer. I just can't figure out how it works sometimes and won't connect others even from the mirrorlink settings turning on and off. Anyone else get this working??
Update: it worked again today just buy plugging it into the car's usb port while the phone is unlocke andd the screen goes black and says connecting. Then these right arrows show up on the head unit I click them and I can access my mirrorcast certifield apps.
Nine out of ten times though I plug the phone in to the car and nothing happens except the mirror cast settings say that mirror cast is active although the screen doesn't go black and doesn't connect.
Im just trying to figure out if the problem lies honda or samsung. Can anyone confirm this is working for then?
There are a couple threads over in the fitfreak forums about this same issue as well (2015 Fit and Civic have the same head unit). Mirrorlink is hit or miss and it seems there is no real way to have it initiate 100% of the time. Most people find success by having the phone unlocked and being in the mirrorlink settings menu when plugging in the usb cable. If that doesn't work, try unplugging and plugging in the usb cable a few times in rapid succession. It seems to kind of "trick" the system to recognize it. I also found better success with the usb port on the dash instead of the one in the center console (not sure if the civic has one in the center console).
I have both a 2015 Fit and a S5 and have yet to find a real use for mirrolink. I have one weather app that has mirrorlink support, but the screen goes black once you go into drive. I have yet to find a worthwhile app that supports mirrorlink.
If you happen to come across an app that is interesting let me know!
Hey Thanks for the reply.
I'll try rapidly connecting and disconnecting it. It seems to work about 1 in 15 times. The main app I would use it for is sygic car navigation it is designed for mirrorlink however it's like $40 after the trial. Also miroamer is a Internet radio app that works with mirrorlink those two are all that I know of.
same in honda City 2016
Just to let you know I'm facing exactly the same behavior with my S5 lollipop 5.0 and my Honda city 2016 head unit.
Sometimes it work, sometimes not. I also tried with lollipop 5.0.1 and get the same.
Now I'm back in lollipop 5.0 rooted, I'm trying to install drivelink to see if this could work, I will let you know any news
At this moment I only get working miroamer and sygic
update:
I upgraded to a galaxy note 4 and now mirror cast activates every time on the same 5.0.1 lollipop firmware. I've found a few more apps to try as well
-Glympse : see where your friends are on a GPS map
-parkopedia : find paid parking or free spots
-bringgo : GPS app not as nice as sygic
-audioteka : expensive audio books
And then miroamer Internet radio and the best one sygic car navigation which I just installed on the note 4 and will try out tomorrow omw to work.
Maybe the s5 will get a small update and fix the issues however my girlfriends s6 would connect then say incompatible phone on the Honda dash so not sure why that is.
Mirrorlink + Your OEM + Desired App, What to Expect
My wife just got a 2016 Honda-HRV and we've come across a lot of the same experience as others. I've done a little research and I just thought I'd share what I've come across here. Sorry for the obfuscated links, first time poster I'm not allowed to put external links in
After finding that Sygic works with mirrorlink while in Drive mode, I started researching Mirrorlink and looking for an SDK to see if I could create a basic app that could do the same (even if it's just hello world in drive mode).
I came across this Mirrorlink presentation by Ed Pichon - www slideshare net /bemyapp/mirrorlink-hackathon-workshop-presentation-by-ed-pichon
This is my best shot at interpreting this. If anyone is more familiar with the process, please feel free to chime in.
In summary (Slide 24 gives a good conceptual)-
- You have to design your app to CCC guidelines
- There's at least a "Base" requirements and a "Drive" requirements
- If you want your app to function in Drive mode, you have to comply to both sets.
- You Submit your app for certification and it's reviewed and lab tested.
- If certified, your application is signed with a private certificate held by the CCC/ Certification Body
- That signature contains a representation of scope that the app is approved for in the various regions (US, Basic - EU, Drive, etc)
- Your OEM Head Unit has a public CA (Certificate Authority) certificate that can verify the signature on the compatible mirrorlink app and grants the various scopes.
So from what I can tell based off the above presentation as well as the below link, Sygic has gone through this certification process and proven that it's car navigation app complies with the CCC drive standards (at least in the US, I haven't tested elsewhere). - www mirrorlink com /apps/Sygic
So what you need to look for to tell if you're going to have decent support is -
1. - An OEM that supports MirrorLink (Best to contact your OEM or read OEM documentation, not the dealer, for credible specifics) - mirrorlink com /cars
2. - A Phone that supports the correct level of MirrorLink for your OEM - mirrorlink com /phones
3. - A certified application for your mode and region (eg, Drive and US vs Park and EU). So far the following site only has what I assume to be a very incomplete list? - www mirrorlink com /apps
If you don't have AT LEAST those three things, I wouldn't expect much. I'm sure there's always going to be ways that people get around controls and I'm not interested in that, I just wanted to share what I came across to set expectations for people who are looking for things that Just Work. Hopefully Google and other larger app devs are going through this process to make their apps infotainment compatible though I'm not sure how big of a barrier the process is. I plan to join and try and create an app and get it certified and document the process.
Hi,
I've tried connecting my Samsung s6 edge to honda city 2016. After some time, it shows that "smartphone is not compatible".
Can to pls detail the steps you are doing to connect it to Honda city car and your car's Firmware version.
Thanks
I have the same problem as above only with Samsung galaxy s7 edge and Honda Civic 2016! Please help! Everything is switched on, certified and it should work. Except it doesn't...
Doesn't work with Samsung Galaxy S5 & Honda CR-V 2015. Same issue - "Smartphone is not compatible".
Related
Hi All,
I have recently bought a Galaxy A3 and would like to use it in my car (Siziki Vitara 2015). The car has a Mirrorlink capable head unit. When I connect the phone to it the connection is established instantly. (The phone displays the "Connecting" message during all the time it is connected, but it may be normal...)
The problem is that the only certified application deployed on the phone cannot be started on the head unit. I tried to find more applications certified for Mirrorlink but with a very little success. The only one I was able to install is the Sygic Car Navigation, which is also buggy. (it is not possible to exit from the app. on the cars display and takes over the head unit completely making all other functions useless.)
I read about applications like "Drive Link" and "Android Auto", but they are declared incompatible with my A3. (Starting a car dock application on my A3 pops up a message about completing the operation - switching to car mode - with different applications: "Car Home Ultra", "Android Auto" and "S Voice". Selecting "Android Auto" leads to an error...)
So, I am really confused about usability of Mirrorlink this time. I would like to ask you about experience with these applications. How to find more Mirrorlink certified applications like car dashboard, navigation, etc.. Is it possible to make applications like "Car Home Ultra" or "Bee-on-road" to work with Mirrorlink?
Anyway, I am interested in anything you may know about this topic.
Thanks in advance!
I struggled 3 hours to make the same phone work properly with the same HU in a 2015 Vitara. I wanted to mirror the whole phone display. No luck.. Only Sygic worked, and some mp3 player if I recall correctly.
Then I tried to connect my Z3 Compact, with same results.
Drop it for now... There are no useful apps that you can enjoy on your HU. All we can do is wait... and search furiously every day for more apps that support mirrorlink.
Hi,
I do have an A3 but I cannot have MirrorLink... on the HUD of my Yaris shows nothing. Talking to Toyota they said I should check A3 settings on "More Networks"|"MirrorLink"... however I cannot find such setting on my A3...
As you can connect to yours, do you have that setting on your A3?
Thanks,
Hi,
I am trying to buy an android head unit from aliexpress for my bmw f30 2013. Very few sellers answer questions and not to the point.
e.g.
1) does it supports after market front camera through RCA input and how easy is to select it? (e.g. does it appear automatically right after reverse gear)
2) does it support can bus messages or do I need a can bus converter. I have already tried 2 multimedia interfaces (IW06B-N23 and QHI-BM12) but they dont trigger the camera. So how to be sure that the same will not happen with the android head unit
3) which MCU is used in order to see if I will be able to find updated firmware on xda forum
4) will I hear oem radio during google maps navigation (hearing also google maps directions)
5) will it connect automatically to my iphone hotspot for internet
6) will it work for iphone 11.2 mirroring
7) will it show perfectly the oem screen
8) would I be able to use steering wheel controls for bluetooth and which bluetooth will I be able to use? the OEM one or the Android one?
9) would I be able to use idrive in google maps
All of the above I believe are very basic information that you cannot get from sellers. I dont understand how they sell or I am missing something here.
Is there anyone here with similar problems so we can help each other?
Regards,
Mike
With a name like Mike, you're maybe English or American? I really suggest buying locally. You'll pay £/$30 more but you'll get a warranty and protection from your local trading laws. Buying from China is a game of Russian roulette. I bought an Erisin from China before and it was absolutely fine. Lucky that, because one I bought from England was not fine, and I had to return it. Had it been the other way round, I'd have been in a world of trouble and £100+ down the ****ter.
1) does it supports after market front camera through RCA input and how easy is to select it? (e.g. does it appear automatically right after reverse gear)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On mine, there's a setting for it to switch back to the front camera after the rear camera has been operating.
2) does it support can bus messages or do I need a can bus converter. I have already tried 2 multimedia interfaces (IW06B-N23 and QHI-BM12) but they dont trigger the camera. So how to be sure that the same will not happen with the android head unit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will come with a canbus decoder unit. Any unit worth it's salt will work correctly with your PDC system. Mine does.
3) which MCU is used in order to see if I will be able to find updated firmware on xda forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MCU is not important. It's the brand that puts out firmware updates. Xtrons, Joying and Eonon have fairly solid reputations for their updates. Xtrons have put out 5 so far for my unit. Erisin have a fairly flakey reputation. The rest are going to be a complete gamble and more likely you'll lose.
4) will I hear oem radio during google maps navigation (hearing also google maps directions)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OEM radio? You're removing the OEM radio and replacing it with this. If you mean will you hear the radio and maps, yes, the maps software dips the volume in a very polite way
5) will it connect automatically to my iphone hotspot for internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, sack off the iPhone, it's crap and there's so many things you can do with Android that work with this unit (mine triggers the hotspot on and off when i get in and out of the car). In answer to your question, yes, you can connect it to your hotspot.
6) will it work for iphone 11.2 mirroring
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if the product spec says it will.
7) will it show perfectly the oem screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OEM screen?
8) would I be able to use steering wheel controls for bluetooth and which bluetooth will I be able to use? the OEM one or the Android one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steering wheel controls work yep and they work with the calling.... at least mine do in my 3 series.
9) would I be able to use idrive in google maps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're mixing two entirely different software packages up here.
To conclude, if your car has iDrive. I wouldn't go anywhere near one of these systems, it'll be a ****ing minefield making it work. If yours is non iDrive, like mine, then it'll fit perfectly with no issues
Thank you for the supplied information. I am from Greece/EU and locally there are no such products.
Chinese solutions for BMW F30 are mainly changing only the screen (which is detachable) and the new one includes all the features inside the screen, so the main OEM function remain in-place.
I would take a look at xtrons as I have seen various posts here and they have a decent website hoping to receive updates but I dont know yet if they have an EU warehouse because import taxes is my country are very high. My concern stays for idrive and canbus integration mainly because I have already tested 2 other types of interface and non of them worked.
Lets see if xtrons will reply on aliexpress with more to the point questions!
skezza said:
With a name like Mike, you're maybe English or American? I really suggest buying locally. You'll pay £/$30 more but you'll get a warranty and protection from your local trading laws. Buying from China is a game of Russian roulette. I bought an Erisin from China before and it was absolutely fine. Lucky that, because one I bought from England was not fine, and I had to return it. Had it been the other way round, I'd have been in a world of trouble and £100+ down the ****ter.
On mine, there's a setting for it to switch back to the front camera after the rear camera has been operating.
It will come with a canbus decoder unit. Any unit worth it's salt will work correctly with your PDC system. Mine does.
MCU is not important. It's the brand that puts out firmware updates. Xtrons, Joying and Eonon have fairly solid reputations for their updates. Xtrons have put out 5 so far for my unit. Erisin have a fairly flakey reputation. The rest are going to be a complete gamble and more likely you'll lose.
OEM radio? You're removing the OEM radio and replacing it with this. If you mean will you hear the radio and maps, yes, the maps software dips the volume in a very polite way
Firstly, sack off the iPhone, it's crap and there's so many things you can do with Android that work with this unit (mine triggers the hotspot on and off when i get in and out of the car). In answer to your question, yes, you can connect it to your hotspot.
Only if the product spec says it will.
OEM screen?
Steering wheel controls work yep and they work with the calling.... at least mine do in my 3 series.
You're mixing two entirely different software packages up here.
To conclude, if your car has iDrive. I wouldn't go anywhere near one of these systems, it'll be a ****ing minefield making it work. If yours is non iDrive, like mine, then it'll fit perfectly with no issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your car has iDrive? Be very careful. Those systems are so much more complicated. The reason the non-iDrive works is because it's actually still a simple system. It's just a whole bunch of relays triggered by other relays and a few more relays and then somewhere there's a computer that does it all. iDrive has it's own dedicated computer which does so much more and offers so much more functionality, and that's where you might find problems. Getting those two systems integrated could be an absolute minefield.
mnikitas said:
Hi,
I am trying to buy an android head unit from aliexpress for my bmw f30 2013. Very few sellers answer questions and not to the point.
e.g.
1) does it supports after market front camera through RCA input and how easy is to select it? (e.g. does it appear automatically right after reverse gear)
2) does it support can bus messages or do I need a can bus converter. I have already tried 2 multimedia interfaces (IW06B-N23 and QHI-BM12) but they dont trigger the camera. So how to be sure that the same will not happen with the android head unit
3) which MCU is used in order to see if I will be able to find updated firmware on xda forum
4) will I hear oem radio during google maps navigation (hearing also google maps directions)
5) will it connect automatically to my iphone hotspot for internet
6) will it work for iphone 11.2 mirroring
7) will it show perfectly the oem screen
8) would I be able to use steering wheel controls for bluetooth and which bluetooth will I be able to use? the OEM one or the Android one?
9) would I be able to use idrive in google maps
All of the above I believe are very basic information that you cannot get from sellers. I dont understand how they sell or I am missing something here.
Is there anyone here with similar problems so we can help each other?
Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you are still around or found more info but the above posts are incorrect. The unit you are buying is more than likely the 10.25 screen upgrade with Android built in. It will work in tandem with idrive....everything works and it is easy install and upgrade.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-...00a8-4760-8b00-b2efeaa2fb7e&priceBeautifyAB=0
So a stupid question, it seems there are several Chinese companies that sell these 10.25" Android panels for the F30 BMW. Though the interface looks exactly the same despite who made the tablet, is there really a difference in the ROM image between makes? The one I have is from COG Android (atleast that is what the Bluetooth ID says). I have had in other cars Joying and ITOPWay, are they really something different ( I almost suspect they are the same company)?
mnikitas said:
Hi,
I am trying to buy an android head unit from aliexpress for my bmw f30 2013. Very few sellers answer questions and not to the point.
e.g.
1) does it supports after market front camera through RCA input and how easy is to select it? (e.g. does it appear automatically right after reverse gear)
2) does it support can bus messages or do I need a can bus converter. I have already tried 2 multimedia interfaces (IW06B-N23 and QHI-BM12) but they dont trigger the camera. So how to be sure that the same will not happen with the android head unit
3) which MCU is used in order to see if I will be able to find updated firmware on xda forum
4) will I hear oem radio during google maps navigation (hearing also google maps directions)
5) will it connect automatically to my iphone hotspot for internet
6) will it work for iphone 11.2 mirroring
7) will it show perfectly the oem screen
8) would I be able to use steering wheel controls for bluetooth and which bluetooth will I be able to use? the OEM one or the Android one?
9) would I be able to use idrive in google maps
All of the above I believe are very basic information that you cannot get from sellers. I dont understand how they sell or I am missing something here.
Is there anyone here with similar problems so we can help each other?
Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
you can have a look below dasaita plug and play products hence it is the most popular and reliable android seller on the market ;
https://dasaita.aliexpress.com/stor...l?spm=a2g1y.12024536.pcShopHead_5904672.1_2_1
cheers.
Hey everyone, I'm having troubles getting android auto to work at all on my new s10+. All my previous android phones worked flawlessly. I have been trying all sorts of debug methods in order to get my car to launch AA somehow but to no avail. I would really appreciate anyones input on this.
Vehicle - Mercedes C300 2018
Phone - Snapdragon 128GB s10+ Tmobile
FuMMoD said:
Hey everyone, I'm having troubles getting android auto to work at all on my new s10+. All my previous android phones worked flawlessly. I have been trying all sorts of debug methods in order to get my car to launch AA somehow but to no avail. I would really appreciate anyones input on this.
Vehicle - Mercedes C300 2018
Phone - Snapdragon 128GB s10+ Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. And the 1% of the time it does launch all the setting are going and have to go through the initial setup. So annoying. Have a '16 Escalade.
I have no issues on Ford Sync 3, even is better than before with P20 Pro where it was not loaded usually on first time. Maybe try different cable?
On your display scroll over to your mercedes connect and choose it. You should see boxes to check for android auto and apple carplay
Had the same today with my new car and S10+
Resolved it by installing APK for Android Auto from APK mirror.
I chose "armeabi-v7a" variant from https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/android-auto/android-auto-5-4-5022-release/
Hi, what version you've used? I have tried 5.4.50and it doesn't work. I mean the app works, but it wont connect to my car.
Hi.
Just got a 2020 Subaru Outback. When I connect my Essential with USB cable, nothing happens (other than charging). Works fine on my wife's '19 Nissan Rogue.
Also connected my wife's Samsung Galaxy S8 to Subaru, no problems - Android Auto popped up right-a-way.
Any '20 Subaru Outback, Legacy owners here?
Thanks
This should probably be under Question Answers.
>Nothing happens other than charging
Have you looked under your notifications to see if the USB options are set to charging only? I've never used Android Auto but I know I have to set it to File Transfer every time I plug my phones into my computer, otherwise it only charges.
I had the same issue, but by connecting a unpowered USB hub it should work. I know it sounds stupid, but give it a try.
@levpri I've got a Crosstrek and I was having similar issues. When I got the car I'd found a thread that mentioned a bunch of working and not working USB A to C cables. I ended up getting a couple of these cables and I've not had a problem since.
Amazon Anker Cable
Anker cable. Plug into car first, then phone.
Did you get it going?
I use AA on my outback /18 without issues got a new phone that was on android 10 now my AA not longer works, it connects I get my maps but it won't take any voice commands from the steering wheel.
not sure if it's my LG phone or that it's because it's on Android 10 I may try my old samsung phone set it back up tomorrow just to test.
levpri said:
Hi.
Just got a 2020 Subaru Outback. When I connect my Essential with USB cable, nothing happens (other than charging). Works fine on my wife's '19 Nissan Rogue.
Also connected my wife's Samsung Galaxy S8 to Subaru, no problems - Android Auto popped up right-a-way.
Any '20 Subaru Outback, Legacy owners here?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto not functioning with Android 10
levpri said:
Hi.
Just got a 2020 Subaru Outback. When I connect my Essential with USB cable, nothing happens (other than charging). Works fine on my wife's '19 Nissan Rogue.
Also connected my wife's Samsung Galaxy S8 to Subaru, no problems - Android Auto popped up right-a-way.
Any '20 Subaru Outback, Legacy owners here?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue. I have a new Subaru Outback 2020. My Samsung S8 connected with AA with no problems. I just got a new Samsung Note 20 5G, running Android 10. Now Android Auto is not launching the map. I get voice driving instructions but no map. I see on my phone, a notification saying the phone is connecting to AA, but it eventually goes away and still no map showing on the head unit. I've tried several different USB-C to USB-A cables and none of them help with this issue. Google markets they've improved AA access by combining it with the Android operating system. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have done sufficient testing with this change. Typical of software giants sending out updates without full testing and ensuring it's functional.
GOOGLE: Get your act together! This is a serious issue. AA is supposed to aid drivers and the map on the head unit stops individuals looking at their phone. Well, you've just increased the chance of a crash now. It won't surprise me if GOOGLE gets sued for someone's death.
If anyone finds an update or resolution to this problem, PLEASE post the fix!!!
PS: We should not have to go through this ridiculous back and forth just to link Android Auto from our phone to our car. This is the 21st century, is it not? We send people to the moon, have smart(?) applicances, and even self-driving cars. Surely, we should be able to get a simple mapping system to show up on a car head unit!
Have you gone into your Android auto settings by any chance? It's an integrated app now so there's no icon for it in Android 10 (depending on phone).
You should be able to easily find it by using the search bar in the app drawer on a Samsung and it will find it in settings. Search key words "Android Auto".
I have both an Essential and Samsung Note9. My Essential phone still has the actual app on stock. I have had more trouble with Essential connecting to AA.
If you haven't tried anything in settings, you could look there and forget all cars to clean it up and start fresh. You could enable developer settings similar to actual Android and try things in those settings. You'll be able to change/set:
> Application Mode (Developer gives AA Server)
>Add wireless projection to settings
>Clear all data
>Unknown Sources
>Debug options
>Video Resolution
>And more...
Might have to experiment. Good luck!
levpri said:
Hi.
Just got a 2020 Subaru Outback. When I connect my Essential with USB cable, nothing happens (other than charging). Works fine on my wife's '19 Nissan Rogue.
Also connected my wife's Samsung Galaxy S8 to Subaru, no problems - Android Auto popped up right-a-way.
Any '20 Subaru Outback, Legacy owners here?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started receiving the same "Launching error.. check clock or upgrade google play services" error all of a sudden while I was on a road trip on 2020 subaru outback.
I noticed the time in the display console was off by 1hr so it was definitely some clock issue so I manually tried to set it but still the android auto won't connect. I figured there was some Subaru software issue because when setting the daylight saving to AUTO it was not sowing the correct info, while previously there was no issue with AUTO settings.
Then I tried my wife's phone and same issue.
I tried different cables and same issue.
I tried factory reset of subaru console from settings but still the same issue.
Then I came across some other post and tried the android auto phone app downgrade approach but it didn't work either. With lower phone app version it was not supported to connect to the subaru outback so the phone app forced me to download and install updates again. And then the same issue.
Finally, I went to the service center and asked them to look into this. They checked and fixed the issue in 3-4 hrs. They verbally told me that they updated the head unit and that fixed the issue. And then in the inspection report they had exactly mentioned as below:
"Performed inspection of vehicle and was able to verify customer concern of vehicle not being able to access android auto or apple car play, found TSB 15-261-20R which has an available update for the stereo head unit. Will perform update to make sure latest software is installed. Apple car play is now working. Old software version was F11GHM042-380 new software version is F11GHM072-582"
This is as of 17th Dec 2021. Since then the android auto is working fine.
I am sharing this post so that in case nothing works for you, try showing this message to subaru service center guys to help you fix the issue.
Hope this helps!
NOTE: I tried to post a fully detailed write-up of my issues, with screenshots and links, but because I'm a new member the forum won't let me post this with those URL's in the post. Since there's no way to upload and attach images, I'm happy to provide all of this via alternative means, or update the post with the original links if an admin is willing to remove this restriction from my account (I promise I'm not a spammer of any kind)
Hi all,
First time poster here with some unique issues (at least for me) with one of the newer Android stereo units. (AA0495B)
I've already contacted AUTOPUMPKIN customer support and they were absolutely no help in solving this; I've also done my own testing and tinkering but haven't been able to get anything working so I'm hoping someone here with more knowledge of these Android units can help.
Late last year I got an AUTOPUMPKIN Android 9.0 unit (AA0495B) for my track car; the main reason I got it was to run my track timer apps directly from my car instead of having to run it from my phone in a dash mount as most do; the specific app I use is Harry's Laptimer. Now obviously this app was programmed with phone use in mind, but after a bit of doing I was able to get it working completely on the Android stereo unit, so my questions aren't around that app, but rather some secondary hardware related issues using the unit. Overall this stereo unit has been great and free of any major issues like ones I've seen on other XDA posts about other Android stereo units. The app works, connects to my GoPro over WiFi flawlessly, and records track sessions and syncs to video perfectly. My issue is that the HLT app also supports connecting to other kinds of devices via bluetooth for additional data capture, such as the XGPS160 for obtaining more accurate GPS lap data (The 160 captures GPS coordinates at 10Hz rather than the 1Hz of the AA0495B and most Android phones) and I'm having issues getting the stereo unit to connect to the XGPS160 device.
There are several problems in getting this to work, but to keep things simple I'll start with the first problem and then work down layer by layer as each issues is solved; hopefully, if we can get it to work, this thread can serve as a guide for others to get this stereo unit to connect to this and other GPS devices.
PROBLEM #1 - Getting the AA0495B unit to pair and connect to the XGPS160 over bluetooth
So obviously the first step is to get the XGPS160 connected to the head unit over BT. The instructions for this are fairly straightforward and in the XGPS160 manual which I followed. The AA0495B unit has its own custom UI for managing connections to bluetooth devices rather than using the native OS bluetooth menu. The native OS bluetooth menu can be found in the system menu, however when attempting to use it to pair to devices, no devices are detected. If we instead use the main menu Bluetooth button to open the custom BT interface and then hit the search button to scan for devices, the XGPS160 shows up when ready for pairing, so we know the BT radio is picking it up at least. I then click on the name of XGPS160 and press the Connect button to pair the device. After a few moments, the device name now shows as an "available device" meaning it is paired to the unit (at least in theory). We can then click on the name and click the Connect button again to attempt to connect the device. This is where it stops, as it never shows as being connected. For comparison, the UI does show blue "connected" icons when the stereo is connected to my Galaxy S9. It appears this custom BT UI will only show the blue symbols when the connected device is a phone; I also have an OBDII dongle paired and it will never show as connected from this screen, however apps like Torque Pro are able to make the stereo unit connect to it and pull OBD data from the car. I was hoping that maybe this was a case of this custom UI simply not showing that the device was connected when it actually is, like the OBDII device. I attempted to run the "Bluetooth GPS" helper app to see if I could get it to connect; however the XGPS160 doesn't even show up in the list of available devices, whereas the "OBDII" dongle is listed even though it's not currently connected. Presumably this menu is pulled from the OS's list of paired devices, so if I had to guess, perhaps the XGPS160 isn't really paired even though the Pumpkin custom BT UI shows it as paired?
In contrast, I was able to connect the XGPS160 to my Galaxy S9, update its firmware via the phone app, and install and run the helper apps to pull data from it, so there aren't any problems in the device itself, but appears to be an issue with the stereo unit.
Here are the About Machine details from the unit for reference:
Builder Number: 201907091031
Kernel Version:
4.4.167
#44 Mon 07 1 10:07:31 CST 2019
uboot-06 28 2019-18:00:06_M11 1024x600
MCU Version: CSN2_06252019_163051
CPU and Memory size:
64-bit 8-core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz
4GB TC:29C TGT:29C F0:1200M F1:816M
Model & Hardware: PX5
Android Version: 9
So with all that, does anyone have recommendations on next steps? I'm a software engineer by background (though not in smart devices) so I shouldn't have trouble performing any troubleshooting steps necessary.
thanks!
Figured out the issue
Circling back to update this one for anyone else who comes across this issue. Here's the response I got from Autopumpkin support
"After checked with our engineer,sorry to tell you that our headunit cannot connect to SkyPro XGPS160.the reason is car stereo Bluetooth is equivalent to a Bluetooth headset and it can only be connected passively.sorry about this."
So yeh, seems they cheaped out on the bluetooth module and that's the problem. Now if only I could find a way to disable it and use a USB bluetooth dongle I have instead.
I also have the problem with a Kingbaets K1+ Android 8.1
Unfortunately, it is only possible to establish the Bluetooth connections up to Android 6.0.
Later Android versions have a "castrated" Bluetooth interface.
My consequence was that I bought an OWNICE C500+ with Android 6.0.
With this device, Bluetooth hardware can pair with PIN input.
It works perfectly.
Dealers at aliexpress