Android Auto like app for TV's - Android Head-Units

I was wondering like we have android auto for our cars head units, can there be a similar app for tv's where we can connect our phone to tv and get the feel of android TV. If no, then why. I wondering to develop an app for same but don't know where to start from.

Related

Android Auto Capable units + Radio Questions

alright, So for the first part of the Title, I am hoping to Create a list of all of the Current Android Radio Head units that are capable of running Android Auto.
So far this is what i have:
- InDashNet Octa Core Lollipop Head unit.
*LIST WILL BE UPDATED WITH THREAD PROGRESSION*
For the Second part, im looking for a radio that has all of these Features
*android 5
*RCA 4v Outs
*android Auto Capabilities
*Capacitive touch screen
*good Call quality
*external Microphone
I enjoy Tinkering With the Chinese radios to make them work, but i would also like something that would actually work!
Thanks guys!
lbus9168 said:
So for the first part of the Title, I am hoping to Create a list of all of the Current Android Radio Head units that are capable of running Android Auto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Auto head units are devices that runs the Android Auto platform (and generally the Apple Carplay too) and these systems come already preinstalled from the manufacturers. Almost all the app installations and configurations are performed through the connected smartphone as the head units don't have their own Internet connection.
The Android Auto platform is pretty different from the standard Android OS (Kitkat, Lollipop, Marshmallow).
Therefore standard Android devices aren't capable to natively run Android Auto OS and very likely they will never be.
If you are looking for Android Auto head units you can already find some models from Pioneer and some announced from JBL and Kenwood.
Almost all car makers are providing stock or optional Android Auto units in their latest 2016 car models or are going to do so in the near future.
See the current models and manufacturer lists on:
https://www.android.com/intl/en_us/auto/
Currently no chinese manufacturers of standard Android units have yet announced Android Auto models.
So, about the first part of your question, the correct forum section for posting would be the Android Auto specific section...
themissionimpossible said:
Android Auto head units are devices that runs the Android Auto platform (and generally the Apple Carplay too) and these systems come already preinstalled from the manufacturers. Almost all the app installations and configurations are performed through the connected smartphone as the head units don't have their own Internet connection.
The Android Auto platform is pretty different from the standard Android OS (Kitkat, Lollipop, Marshmallow).
Therefore standard Android devices aren't capable to natively run Android Auto OS and very likely they will never be.
If you are looking for Android Auto head units you can already find some models from Pioneer and some announced from JBL and Kenwood.
Almost all car makers are providing stock or optional Android Auto units in their latest 2016 car models or are going to do so in the near future.
See the current models and manufacturer lists on:
https://www.android.com/intl/en_us/auto/
Currently no chinese manufacturers of standard Android units have yet announced Android Auto models.
So, about the first part of your question, the correct forum section for posting would be the Android Auto specific section...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about posting Incorrectly, i wasnt quite sure which place was best. my mistake.
Now i do understand roughly how android auto works, but according to this thread, it does run on what appears to be a generic chinese headunit, and if thats the case, I wanted to take that and run it on a seperate device. i understand Android auto =/= android, but this unit seems to do it, so why cant others? let me know what you think.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...ashnet-octa-core-lollipop-head-units-t3353188
indashnet does not appear to be on the list of google approved Manufactures, which makes me think its possible to bring it to other devices.
lbus9168 said:
i understand Android auto =/= android, but this unit seems to do it, so why cant others? let me know what you think.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...ashnet-octa-core-lollipop-head-units-t3353188
indashnet does not appear to be on the list of google approved Manufactures, which makes me think its possible to bring it to other devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That InDashNet head unit is running standard Android Kitkat (and Lollipop in 2016) and won't be able to run Android Auto in any way...
As a general info, no standard Android head unit will probably ever be able to run Google's Android Auto platform (along with Apple's Carplay) as it requires a specific hardware configuration.
themissionimpossible said:
That InDashNet head unit is running standard Android Kitkat (and Lollipop in 2016) and won't be able to run Android Auto in any way...
As a general info, no standard Android head unit will probably ever be able to run Google's Android Auto platform (along with Apple's Carplay) as it requires a specific hardware configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose it's just not at the general release stage yet. Here's a video on the InDashnet YouTube page showing one of their source units running Android Auto:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1CPZSmcw7c&list=PLAzMTknakXeO7muHqKEsEGRXO5WlG0igf&index=4
I saw some news a few weeks ago that Google is opening up android auto to run on any android phone. So I guess it should probably also work on some/many Chinese android head units in the near future. The question is what the requirements will be...
Edit:
Here is a reference
http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11698274/android-auto-app-update-phone-dash-google-io-2016
The android auto app requires Android 5.0+. So probably all lollipop head units will be able to run it.
Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA-Developers mobile app
nomailing said:
Here is a reference
http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11698274/android-auto-app-update-phone-dash-google-io-2016
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the above article it looks like there will be an app for a smartphone to be used as a car head unit, with functionalities very similar to those of the true Android Auto platform, but IMHO the difference is that all the app managed data (music, maps, destinations, contacts, etc.) have apparently to reside on the smartphone where the app is installed.
On a true Android Auto head unit all these data come from the connected smartphone, not from the head unit itself.
So installing that future Android Auto-like app on a standard Lollipop head unit won't probably provide a full interfacing with the smartphone, therefore the Internet connectivity, music files, maps, destinations, contacts, etc. should reside on the head unit itself: this partly defeats the advantage of the true Android Auto platform to automatically adapt to different car drivers or passengers simply loading their data and preferences from their connected smartphones.
We'll see what functionality and connectivity features will be available in that Android Auto-like app when it will be available for testing on a standard Android head unit.
themissionimpossible said:
So installing that future Android Auto-like app on a standard Lollipop head unit won't probably provide a full interfacing with the smartphone, therefore the Internet connectivity, music files, maps, destinations, contacts, etc. should reside on the head unit itself: this partly defeats the advantage of the true Android Auto platform to automatically adapt to different car drivers or passengers simply loading their data and preferences from their connected smartphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, that is true. I for myself, would not consider the necessity to pair with my smartphone as a feature but as a huge drawback. So I would say with the chinese head units we would have an improved Android Auto experience where you have the nice interface with large buttons, which does not distract from driving, and at the same time we do not have to pair with a smartphone. But sure, you are right, it is not exactly the same as a true Android Auto head unit.

Turn head unit into android auto host device?

I just had a thought and is it possible to turn an android head unit into an android auto host device? I realise that there is the option for mirroring and remote touch control, so it should be trivial to have and automatic switch into android auto mode (that is, the head unit acts only as a screen with touch functionality while the whole thing runs on the phone that's plugged in) when plugging an android phone into one of our android head units, right? Is that even a thing? I figure demand would be extremely low for it (it's even redundant a bit), seeing as it's quite limiting in comparison to a full android head unit, but it is still a curiosity for me. Many factory android auto capable head units are running a custom version of android os anyway, so I imagine the possibility is there, right?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.projection.gearhead&hl=en
pounce said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.projection.gearhead&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But wait, if I install this on my android head unit, it will just run android auto, not wait for a phone to be plugged in. That's what I mean.
What is it exactly you want from a functionality perspective. The point of the android units is that you have much of the flexibility of android with apps and such running on the head unit without the need for the phone. Many of the current units can do mirrorlink in some form with a phone.
You may be able to trigger an app to run when you connect a phone if that's your objective.
What unit do you have?
pounce said:
What is it exactly you want from a functionality perspective. The point of the android units is that you have much of the flexibility of android with apps and such running on the head unit without the need for the phone. Many of the current units can do mirrorlink in some form with a phone.
You may be able to trigger an app to run when you connect a phone if that's your objective.
What unit do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a hot audio (dasaita) px5 unit.
Basically, I'm just curious and want to add as much expandability as possible. For instance if I have another driver in the car who has his/her own music and nav favourites in their android phone, it would be cool to have them plug it into the unit, and have the option of android auto (instead of digging around in my custom setup on my head unit). Furthermore, since everything will be running off of their phone, they instantly have their contacts, emails, sms, etc. available to them on the head unit (moreover, if they use android auto on a regular basis in their own car, it would be a seamless transition).
Not saying it's useful on a daily basis like it would be on a stock (for instance Hyundai) head unit with AA support. I realise that modern head units have very limited functionality in the ways of navigation and apps, and that's expanded a little bit with android auto, and obviously expanded a whole lot if your head unit has a full android OS on it.
Anyway, I think I found an app that does just that:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gb.xxy.hr
I'll give it a go tomorrow. Once again, it's not a feature I'll be using (probably ever), but it's just kind of neat to have.
Anyway, my end goal is to have a head unit that has an open android system AND Android Auto + Carplay support. The redundancy in that situation is obvious, but I still think it would be quite neat.
Is mirror link functional on your unit?
yep. so i've done a bit more digging and it looks like the stock android auto app has a developer settings mode, and you can enable it to run in server mode, like many android auto enabled head units do. will test this tomorrow.
vassandrei said:
yep. so i've done a bit more digging and it looks like the stock android auto app has a developer settings mode, and you can enable it to run in server mode, like many android auto enabled head units do. will test this tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you test it? I'm interested in running android auto on my head unit as well.
I'm interested to see how this plays out
I get only a black screen on my px5 unit but on my test setup it works wonderfully.
edit: I should note that this all worked without any real tinkering. I didn't have to enable developer mode on the phone, or tinker with any settings on the computer. The only thing you don't see is the default application dialogue, as I've told it to auto-open headunit reloaded when connecting the phone already.
vassandrei said:
I get only a black screen on my px5 unit but on my test setup it works wonderfully.
edit: I should note that this all worked without any real tinkering. I didn't have to enable developer mode on the phone, or tinker with any settings on the computer. The only thing you don't see is the default application dialogue, as I've told it to auto-open headunit reloaded when connecting the phone already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify, do you have to install anything on the head unit?
Fl4v10 said:
Just to clarify, do you have to install anything on the head unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The app is Headunit Reloaded Emulator. There's a free trial, but the full version is paid.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gb.xxy.hr&hl=en
vassandrei said:
Yes. The app is Headunit Reloaded Emulator. There's a free trial, but the full version is paid.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gb.xxy.hr&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you install this app on the head unit and the android auto app on the phone correct?
Fl4v10 said:
So you install this app on the head unit and the android auto app on the phone correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, correct
vassandrei said:
Yes, correct
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm gonna try it on my unit.
Fl4v10 said:
Thanks. I'm gonna try it on my unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, hope it works well for you. definitely get the trial version before spending any money to make sure it works well.
I did another test, and after updating to malaysk 4.0 (and making sure to allow video while driving!!! that's why i had a black screen)
here's how it works:
vassandrei said:
Awesome, hope it works well for you. definitely get the trial version before spending any money to make sure it works well.
I did another test, and after updating to malaysk 4.0 (and making sure to allow video while driving!!! that's why i had a black screen)
here's how it works:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. I have Malasyk on mine. I'll try with the trial version. Did you test the calls? Does that works with the head unit mics or the phone mics?
Fl4v10 said:
Nice. I have Malasyk on mine. I'll try with the trial version. Did you test the calls? Does that works with the head unit mics or the phone mics?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
havent tested calls yet, but it uses the head unit mics for google voice search, so i imagine it would use the head unit mic for calls as well
vassandrei said:
havent tested calls yet, but it uses the head unit mics for google voice search, so i imagine it would use the head unit mic for calls as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I tried today and with no luck. Did you configure anything on the Android auto app?
When I connect it to the head unit nothing happens.
Fl4v10 said:
So I tried today and with no luck. Did you configure anything on the Android auto app?
When I connect it to the head unit nothing happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have to configure anything, nope. It didn't want to work on my centre consoles USB port though, I had to use another port that was directly connected to the head unit. So if you're using a hub try without it. Other than that, launch the headunit reloaded app at least once

Port an app to Android Wear

Is there an easy way to port an Android app to a wear app? Nissan has an app (Nissan Connect) to control phone functions using the car audio system. They do not have the app for Android Wear. I have experience with rooting and tinkering with devices but have no knowledge when it comes to developing.

Using an Android phone with a Android head unit

Hi everyone, i am considering getting an android head unit for my vehicle, was wondering what's the best way to connect my android phone (galaxy s7) with it? Screen mirroring? Android auto host?
Curious, how does most people use their android head units? Just directly from it?
Question, what is the point in getting an Android Head Unit just to screen mirror your android phone to it? I share my internet from my phone to my head unit.
swavey said:
Question, what is the point in getting an Android Head Unit just to screen mirror your android phone to it? I share my internet from my phone to my head unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flexibility? Being able to see whatsapp msgs? Currently trying out https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-1-headunit-reloaded-android-t3432348/page307
polygon21 said:
Flexibility? Being able to see whatsapp msgs? Currently trying out https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...-1-headunit-reloaded-android-t3432348/page307
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Joying has an app called Easy Connect on it that allows screen mirroring through USB. The Android Auto app does a pretty good job of showing my text messages and probably works with Whatsapp too. You could also probably just download Whatsapp directly on the head unit itself.
swavey said:
My Joying has an app called Easy Connect on it that allows screen mirroring through USB. The Android Auto app does a pretty good job of showing my text messages and probably works with Whatsapp too. You could also probably just download Whatsapp directly on the head unit itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yeah, my head unit has that too.... havent really explored it that much yet.

Any Android Phone mirroring apps that support touch on the head unit?

I currently have GrapheneOS installed on my Pixel 7. GrapheneOS doesn't install google play services as root so Android Auto doesn't work. I am hoping to mirror my phone at my Head Units screen resolution and control my phone from the head unit.
I have an Atoto Android Head Unit so I can install apps from the play store.
I am familiar with CarBitLink-EasyConnection but I cannot control my phone from the headunit. It only mirrors the screens. Also the screen resolution is off.
I am willing to root my phone if such an app exist. Any suggestions?
One thing you could try is enabling the hotspot feature of one of the devices (either your Pixel 7 or the head unit). Join the other device to the hotspot, then on the phone, install and start Droid VNC-NG and on the head unit, install VNC Viewer
Once Droid VNC-NG is running on the phone, enter the phone's IP and the port that the app is running on into VNC Viewer on the head unit. It should mirror the screen onto the head unit and allow for touch control, but I'm not sure if it will be responsive enough to be worthwhile.
You might honestly be better off just tethering your phone to the head unit and installing Google Maps/Spotify/whatever else you use Android Auto for directly on the head unit.

Categories

Resources