I noticed the Android radio section is kinda small so thought I would provide some feedback with the various ones I've used. I've had two Panlelo and two Atoto radios.
The Panlelo radios I used were basically trash. Well the first one was ok, but it had a long boot. And started up with some strange bluetooth and gps error messages. I did like it at the time and it wasn't until I purchased Atoto that I realized what I was missig.. Being the first Android radio I used I had nothing to compare it to. I bought a different Panlelo for my wife because she wanted a volume knob. That's the only thing nice about it. The SD card slot was broken, the touch was terrible especially at the top and bottom. it wouldn't auto connect to my hotspot, it wouldn't remember my car launcher pro as the default launcher. Was just bad. I had also purchased a camera from them and the power trigger wire had a break in it somewhere. I've come to learn Panlelo does not make quality products. Oh yeah the first Panlelo had the side buttons stop working after a few months! And I always had obd2 connection issues.
The two Atoto radios I've had are amazing! The A6 premium I used for a year and then moved it to my wife's car. It has held up amazing and everything is layed out so much better than Pablelo. I never have issues with it. The obd2 always connects. I recently got the A6 pro with gestures and it's even better, though it's also more expensive. Aside from the gestures, the built in amp is noticeabley better. I can crank it much louder before distorting. It will actually support 2 ohm speakers although the kickers I use are 4 ohm with pretty high sensitivity (I think around 90) so they get pretty loud without an extra amp. The screen is also more vivid, better blacks, viewing angles and brighter. The resolution is the same as the first A6 but It definitely looks better. I don't use the provided screen protectors, and they don't seem necessary. The other A6 has no scratches after a year.
The gestures are pretty cool, although I've found the only two that work without problems are rotating your fingers/hand clockwise and counter clockwise. I never get false positives and it always registers when I use it. I first used it for volume up and down, but I've since used them as shortcuts for navigation and front camera. I changed the navigation app to torque so it pulls torque up instead. And front camera, I use for parking my big f250. Volume controls, home button and next are all configured on my steering wheel.
I used to use to wave your hand (defualt for that is mute) but I found it was triggering just driving around. Im hoping an update will make this more reliable. The other ones, hand forward and hand backward from sensor also trigger false. Umm besides that the layout is really good, with home, back and recents on the bottom left close to driver. (Another thing Panlelo got wrong by putting these on the top right)
Hotspot auto connects. Ohhh yeah and one thing I recently discovered! You can share Google maps navigation via Bluetooth. I'm still trying to think of a more seem less integration (wish it had NFC). But Bluetooth works well. Basically start your navigation from your phone, hit the share button, choose Bluetooth > Bluetooth2> accept the file transfer from Atoto it will then show where it was downloaded but just open maps and it will be there. It's actually pretty easy and works better than trying to type an address in. Especially when a lot of times someone has already texted you the address to your phone.
I'm still hoping for an easier way, I wish I could just out the phone close to the radio and beam it over. Or if there was a good way to get texts on the radio... I know there are Android messaging apps that sync, but I prefer the stock messaging app. Anyway, that's my experiences with Android radios. I like to use carlauncher pro.
Edit: added a couple more pics, one to show the parking camera
I can't make up my mind
Thanks for the right up. I may order the Pro unit minus the gesture feature. What brand of cables did you use on the install?
Related
Hey everyone...
I'm currently working on a school project to re-design the housing of a pda.. I've decided to use the 8125 as my base. I've just recently started researching and learning about the software. I plan on upgrading to WM6, adding Touchflo, and whatever mods seem interesting. I was curious if you all had any suggestions as far as improving the overall original design. I'll be making two phones. One being a slide with a rotating screen feature, and two being a thin, non-slide, full touchscreen model similar to the HTC Touch. Any suggestions you all have would be great to work with and put into my research report. Keep in mind I can change just about every physical aspect of the phone, speakers, battery, buttons, ect... Thanks very much guys.. Looking forward to some intersting feedback..
they never did stuff like that when I was at school!
I would change the D pad because the up button has to be quite precise, maybe make it with a bit more relief.
Also would move the speakers from the side because I tend to cover them when I hold the phone (thumb covers right side, forefinger covers left) in my left hand. possibly put them on front.
I use infra red a bit and sometimes wish it was on top of the device instead of the side.
good luck with the project.
Edit: nearly forgot to say move the stylus silo from the bottom then if it goes loose (they all do) then it wont fall out as easily.
some pics would be nice when its done.
Sounds good.... Thanks you for the reply. I'll definately post photos when I finish.
I always liked the "tablet" design of the Universal...if you could make it a little less bulky. Of course I've never used that device, but it theory it seemed cool.
Well since you said that it will be using TouchFlow my first bit of advice would to be to make the screen flush with the housing. The biggest issue I have with the Wizard when it comes being finger friendly is hitting the X/ok key in the upper right corner. If the screen was flush with the casing this wouldnt be an issue.
Another thing would be to switch out the mini audio jack on the bottom with a standard headphone jack. I know that you might loose the ability to use a mic with headphones but it would be a small price to pay for the ability to use a nice set of phones without the need for an adapter sticking out the bottom. Not to mention that Bluetooth would take care of the need for a headphone with mic.
I read in one of the tech user manuals for the Wizard that there is a 2megapixel CCD for the phone along with the stand 1.3mp. Im not sure of the validity of this, but if you can get your hands on it that might be pretty nice.
Adding a more powerful IR to the phone and placing it at the top would be a nice touch as well. Would be nice to have the TV remote function with this phone.
Im sure Ill think of some other things, and Ill post them here as well.
PS another Idea would be to use the hardware listed here... pretty cheap if you ask me. http://www.compulab.co.il/x270em/html/x270-em-datasheet.htm
Good luck.
Awsome... Thanks very much for the suggestions... I checked out the Compulab Embeded phone... However, the minimum quantity they will sell is 1000 units. It would make for a nice base though...
I did it again....
Since last weekend I have the new Pumpkin here and test it extensively at my test place before I install it in the car.
Link to the radio: https://www.autopumpkin.de/autoradi...a-ram-4gb-rom-32gb-unterstutzt-fast-boot.html
Data
Scope of delivery:
2 DIN Unit
10.1 inch glossy screen, with metal frame
Cable set with 2 USB ports
User manual English/German
PX5
64-bit 8-Core Cortex-A53 1.5GHz
Android 9, build number 201907251651
MCU: CSN2_06252ß19_163051 (Despite this MCU the device is obviously a KLYDE device)
Here again an information to the MCU:
It is a PX5, but with a newer mainboard. The CSN2 devices are not firmware-compatible to the known PX5 boards, so there are no custom-roms at the moment.
First impression:
I must say, the first impression is very good.
The first startup was done after about 20 seconds.
The original launcher is as usual from Punpkin, as well as the apps included.
What's new:
Additional USB on the front panel
2 micro SD trays on the front panel
Volume control knob (illuminated)
Knob for App switching (illuminated)
App called "Tachograph," a new app for the Pumpkin USB-Dashcam.
Caravan, an app that supports rear view camera and front camera and you can switch between both cams. (did not try it...)
Sync (I don't know what it's for yet)
CD player for external CD players
An app called "Joykey Study" for certain OEM-Key-Pads, I have to do some research myself...
VoiceControl App Looks like an app for Apple's friends. The app doesn't work for Android phones (at least for mine).
The Settings menu was cleaned up, also the menu for the "factory settings". Here you don't find the strange menu anymore, but it's neatly clean arranged. Unfortunately not in German, but I think you can live with that.
Display of the battery voltage in the status bar is now possible in the "Personal settings".
Also the settings of the phone can be displayed now. Here you can see the field strength and the battery status at the top of the status bar.
The radio runs very smoothly and I was able to install all the apps I needed without any problems. Root was possible with the well-known ADB method without any problems.
The screen is connected to the radio with a flat cable plug, just slide it on and click into place.
You can turn the screen with a little effort in all directions and the holder makes a very stable impression.
First Tests:
The working temperature is important for me. With active route guidance, DAB+ active in the background, Blitzer.de active, the temperature stays ~60°C... and that without any optimization.
Yesterday I installed the radio. The first thing I noticed was, that Pumpkin is finally keeping the usual EUR installation dimensions for this radio. My previous radios always needed a reworked installation frame. A new frame is therefore due because the existing frame was reworked to fit my other units....
Potential for improvement:
Developer menu is password protected. The PW is even not known at Pumpkin. It's marked as secret... But i´m on it.
I got the information from Pumpkin that the new Android 9 design from Pumpkin is still in work. I'm curious when that will come. So I'll show you some pictures as soon I will get it from them.
On my car the phone keys don't work right now, they are not recognized by the app. So I had to change my voice key so that I can answer a call via the steering wheel and hang up (double assignment of the actions goes via long click).
Recommendation:
For me its´s a clear YES, because I don´t need any custom rom. I just use another launcher.
Please comment on the 10-inchness implementation
Did you have to cut into your car plastics? Or does it stick out an leave a gap? Was there a snug adapter with no gaps and no cutting?
Does it tilt/rotate? If it does, does it stay in place when you are operating it or wiggle under your fingers? Does it stay still on bumpy roads? Etc.
Aadieu said:
Please comment on the 10-inchness implementation
Did you have to cut into your car plastics? Or does it stick out an leave a gap? Was there a snug adapter with no gaps and no cutting?
Does it tilt/rotate? If it does, does it stay in place when you are operating it or wiggle under your fingers? Does it stay still on bumpy roads? Etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unit is exactly 2-DIN large so there is no gap and nothing has to be cut from cockpit plastic at all.
The screen stays completely in place even when placing the hand on the top and using the thumb for a screen touch on bumpy roads.
... and yes, it stays still on bumpy roads.
For my car (Mitsubishi ASX) I need a car specific adapter, because the OEM unit is 2-DIN high but about 6cm wider than 2-DIN but with just a 6" screen and lousy firmware/UI and OS. The adapter I buyed needed to get cut, because nearly all 2-DIN chinese units are not really 2-DIN, they are a bit larger. To get the chinese units in my car, I had to cut the hole larger.
With the new unit I would be able to use the original size... so I have to buy a new one.... unfortunately...
You can tilt and rotate the screen to get rid of any glare and you can move the screen up and down, to get the right position at your dashboard.
Until now I don´t see any bad behavior.
Hello everyone.
I have recently purchased a android 10.1 headunit that fits perfectly in my ford focus mk3.
So far i'm liking the headunit but.... there are some problems with it that are quite annoying.
The top nav bar i can't seem to manage it, i can't change the applications it opens nor the icons.
The bottom part of the screen is horrible too, i'm losing around 1/8th of my screen due to it which defeats the point of the headunit tbh.
The bottom part of the screen is used for the home button, back button, ford (A/C, Heated seats, Sync etc) which has no use for me since i don't have those features in my car.
I am wanting to remove it and replace it with a smaller bottom bottom bar.
Is there anything i can do to fix this?
This is the headunit i bought by the way.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-...i-Navigation-For-12-17Ford-Focus/383939987371
Thank you for your time.
Simple answer. Tasker.
You can force immersive mode directly with tasker or with one of the many apps on play store, globally or at a per app level to remove the nav bar. and create WebScreens to replace your "back and home"
I haven't really experimented with adjusting the margins, as I mostly am in the HeadUnit Reloaded screen which can very easily adjust the margins. (PS the latest beta as of writing is the only version that works for me with the newest android auto release on Play store) I haven't tested it myself but this app looks like it may be able to help. I may try it myself! =). Good luck!
@rowan112
it's a bit off-topic, but would you share some of your experiences with this kind of radio? i can find plenty of those tesla-style radios for the ford focus, and i was really wondering if they are functioning well. i am particulary interested in the canbus, wether that's opening door, or whatsoever if those informations are being shown on the radio as well.
Hi,
I got my new head unit the other day, this one;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003019883587.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.180c4c4dRzap6R
It;s a;
MTK 8259 8-core 2.0GHz
6G+128G
Overall it seem not too bad so far, not too long, sounds ok. But it has 2 major problems to me.
1. Landscape - Isn't
Although the unit has the screen in landscape mode, the unit appears to be coded to behave like portrait. So although all look fine initially, after using it a little you begin to realise it's not. For example most apps that are orientation aware reneder themselves different. Maps, Gmail, YouTube and YouTube music all have views split left/right; map on right, info on left; song of left, play list on right and so on. But the head unit does not do this, it tries to put the content top and bottom, like using a phone in portrait. On some apps, it just makes it horrible, like maps where when you view info the map is push to a skinny little band across the top. On some apps like YouTube Music, it breaks it. becuase you loose sight of the track list!! on a phone it would be under the song, but there is no space to do this on the head unit. This applies to all apps. It seems they have just not defined the mode to be landscape.
Is this just my unit, or is the a fault on others?
Can you via an app fix this? force it to be right. There is no settings for rotate or orientable in the units limited settings. I did try some apps, but they asked me to turn auto-rotate on in settings, but this doesn't exists.
Fixing this would be a big improvement. would move it from 1/5 to a 4/5.
2. WiFi.
This is broken. My unit has GPS and 4G and thus has antenna for each. I think that although the unit has Wifi it's actaully got no antenna for it internally, so signal is all but non existent. I can connect to my phone hotspot bc the phone is 2 feet away. but if i park my car on the drive, it will not connect to my router in the garage (which has great wifi coverage). I actually need to drive car into the garage and part car 1m away to get it too work at all.
Anyone else have this?
3. Firmware.
Is there other firmware for the version I have?
Thanks.
moa77 said:
Hi,
I got my new head unit the other day, this one;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003019883587.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.180c4c4dRzap6R
It;s a;
MTK 8259 8-core 2.0GHz
6G+128G
Overall it seem not too bad so far, not too long, sounds ok. But it has 2 major problems to me.
1. Landscape - Isn't
Although the unit has the screen in landscape mode, the unit appears to be coded to behave like portrait. So although all look fine initially, after using it a little you begin to realise it's not. For example most apps that are orientation aware reneder themselves different. Maps, Gmail, YouTube and YouTube music all have views split left/right; map on right, info on left; song of left, play list on right and so on. But the head unit does not do this, it tries to put the content top and bottom, like using a phone in portrait. On some apps, it just makes it horrible, like maps where when you view info the map is push to a skinny little band across the top. On some apps like YouTube Music, it breaks it. becuase you loose sight of the track list!! on a phone it would be under the song, but there is no space to do this on the head unit. This applies to all apps. It seems they have just not defined the mode to be landscape.
Is this just my unit, or is the a fault on others?
Can you via an app fix this? force it to be right. There is no settings for rotate or orientable in the units limited settings. I did try some apps, but they asked me to turn auto-rotate on in settings, but this doesn't exists.
Fixing this would be a big improvement. would move it from 1/5 to a 4/5.
2. WiFi.
This is broken. My unit has GPS and 4G and thus has antenna for each. I think that although the unit has Wifi it's actaully got no antenna for it internally, so signal is all but non existent. I can connect to my phone hotspot bc the phone is 2 feet away. but if i park my car on the drive, it will not connect to my router in the garage (which has great wifi coverage). I actually need to drive car into the garage and part car 1m away to get it too work at all.
Anyone else have this?
3. Firmware.
Is there other firmware for the version I have?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Enable developer options or search in setttings( "RTL" or"LTR" ...) and check if has rtl or ltr layout by default
LTR is the standard for some eastern and asian regions
2. Try hotspot from it and see how far it broadcasts wifi(if its small then manufacturer or seller cheaped ou ton the wifi chip or coded it very crappy)
3 Firmware try research, if you cant find anything in English repeat the search translated to chinese (modern) , you'll have better chances of finding something
I know that there are many purpose-built Android DIN units that have some sort of resistive keypad interface. More than that I don't know a whole lot. I'm not talking about those.
I'm talking about normal Android tablets, like my Nexus 7 (2013) that sits on a gimble mount to my right. I do USB and Bluetooth so that's what I tried. Android has KeyEvents for a few things, like phone call, contacts and calculator. It doesn't have KeyEvents for Google Maps or your different audio apps. So your USB or Bluetooth device has to be different than a standard HID input device as you'll want to send custom info. Because you'll need to send intents, you have to make sure that your steering wheel is connected all the time to a specific Service or Activity. A normal HID input device belongs to the system and goes to the foreground app, not some random background app. So you need a custom USB or Bluetooth and an Activity or Service.
My steering column currently has just the single wire. I figure that I will use Bluetooth and steal a bit of power (milliamperes, not enough to actuate the horn) so it doesn't need batteries.
So, I threw together a proof-of-concept using USB. It works fine on my Android 9 devices, I set hot keys for a few different apps. I should be able to either add a second HID interface for "normal" buttons like volume, call or simply add that to the Activity or Service. There are currently permission wrinkles to get over on Android 10. Switching this from wired USB to Bluetooth is trivial.
Am I missing something? Is this old hat? How else is this done?
I've been doing some more work on this. I'm a bit surprised that I've gotten no resonance on this or anyone saying that they already do this some other way.
The 16 buttons can each do one of three things
A hot key directly to an app (not simply "next app" or "app switcher" dialog)
Go to a specific webpage using (and reusing) a specific browser tab (I've got onboard systems that host status web pages)
Normal Android keys like VolUp, VolDn, MediaPlay, etc.
The USB version works fine. It uses a daemon to inject the normal keys. The Bluetooth version is coming along. I've switched to using raw GATT instead of HID over GATT.
Na? How about this then?
Hi Renate,
I think these units you are talking about are not that often to find in cars. I don´t know anyone who uses a tablet in his car and the Nexus 7 is a real outdated unit, slow on startup and in usage.
The car units themselves normally provide SWC via CAN or resistance based.
To have an additional keypad beside the radio is not needed, as you are able to use the SWC buttons individually... at least for the most ones which are working resistance based.
That is the reason you won´t get any answers in this forum. Sorry for bad news...
Hi rigattoni: Thanks for the response. I'm just trying to figure out how people are using stuff in this whole Auto department.
I didn't think that anyone would be impressed with my Nexus 7 (2013), it's just what I'm using at the moment. In my vehicle (a Chevy G30 1 ton truck) a DIN unit is not as visible as a gimble mounted tablet. I do have space for a dual DIN. Currently I have a single DIN $20 stereo with Bluetooth. That's good enough.
But my theme was mostly: Do people have app-specific keys (without using the screen)? Can you go to Google Maps, your favorite streamer, your local audio collection (without using the screen). Would you like to? If you have CANBUS SWC you probably don't have a dedicated button to display your propane & fresh water tanks.
Aren't SWCs mostly normal Android KeyEvents? How can they get you to a specific app?
On CAN there is no possibility to change the SWC buttons to different apps.
If they are resistance based as a lot of the cars (even if I would like to get all things done via CAN) there you have an internal app included to register your buttons based on different resistance.
On a lot of units you even are able to set your SWC buttons to specific apps.
On top there you have this menu button on the SWC where you can toggle between FM radio, launcher, phone, MP3 and navigation, you name it...
I don´t use Google Maps, instead I use TomTom and if you set TomTom as standard navigation app, you can do so.
Additional buttons in form of a number pad I personally don´t need. By using an aftermarket launcher and have all my needed apps just in front.
For tablets like you use, the num pad is a nice thing as you don´t have these possibilities.... sure.
BTW: If you use an android car unit, there is no full BT stack implemented. That means that you would not be able to connect with your unit to the propane or fresh water tank or something like that. The implemented BT stack can only be used for phone calls and for BT OBD scanner.
Thanks again. Wow, it seems like those DIN units are more like radios than like Androids if they don't have full Bluetooth. Resistance keypads are kind of bush league too.
Actually, my tanks, power, HVAC, tilt come over WiFi from my Raspberry Pi. The OBD comes over USB from the microcontroller that runs my instrument display. (I've got to take a new photo since I replaced the display with a larger yellow one.) The PRNDL indicator indicates shifter position and which gear I'm actually in. The "5th gear" on a 4 speed is just what I call it when the torque converter locks. It kind of is another gear. I really love the lower left engine running time so that I remember to take coffee breaks!
I threw the keypad back on the steering wheel. For testing I just have 2 x AAA batteries. I'll add the current "stealer" later.
I use similar head unit to this one:
And I use analog (or resistive, whatever) SWC. It can be configured as in video above. I mean you can map any of those 16 functions to any button in SWC
Renate said:
Do people have app-specific keys (without using the screen)? Can you go to Google Maps, your favorite streamer, your local audio collection (without using the screen)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try to answer as best as I can, because I'm not sure if I got your point.
Its possible to open some apps by SWC. For example button 4 opens navigation app, which can be selected in head unit options (it can be every navi app installed on your head unit - google maps, here maps, sygic etc)
11 opens FM radio app
9 pick ups a call (if actually is someone calling) or opens bluetooth app where you can make calls (contact list can be synced from phone, call history also). Also by this BT app you can stream music from phone to car audio.
As you can see its very limited. In my head unit there is no way to open e.g youtube app by SWC.
other functions which can be used:
1(play/pause), 2 ,3 ,5(mute),6,7, 10 no explanation required I guess
12 depends on how the Chinese implemented it In mine : press once - mute/unmute sound. press & hold for while - somehow locks the screen (like in smartphone), black screen with date and time is displayed. Sound is muted too.
13 'home' button - works like in smartphone, brings you to main menu
14 back - works like in smartphone
15 turns off display (but plays music/ navigation commands in background)
16 'mode' one of most useful - cycles through active apps
8 AFAIK it opens google assistant, but it doesnt work in mine.
Thanks, wotii098. It seems like you're reinforcing my point. Besides "Navigation" and "Radio" most of the actions are generic Android KeyEvents. I'd think that MEDIA_NEXT and MEDIA_PREVIOUS only work correctly when your music app is in the foreground? When it gets to the nitty-gritty, I use 3 different mapping services and I need to switch between them. If you are wondering what keycodes exactly are being generated (or just to check) you can use my UsbMode.apk (in the sig). Probably "Navigation" and "Radio" don't exist as KeyEvents.
Renate said:
Thanks, wotii098. It seems like you're reinforcing my point. Besides "Navigation" and "Radio" most of the actions are generic Android KeyEvents. I'd think that MEDIA_NEXT and MEDIA_PREVIOUS only work correctly when your music app is in the foreground? When it gets to the nitty-gritty, I use 3 different mapping services and I need to switch between them. If you are wondering what keycodes exactly are being generated (or just to check) you can use my UsbMode.apk (in the sig). Probably "Navigation" and "Radio" don't exist as KeyEvents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Renate, that also works if the audio or navigation is working in background as the translated button press throws an intent. Even Navigation and Radio or any other app can be started (or taken to foreground) by mapping a keycode to a specific app.
For radio you even are able to switch stations without bringing the app to foreground. That all happens in the background by intents.
So nearly any modern Car radio with Android is working like that. You even are able to connect 2 different key panels to the units. That´s what I did... My SWC buttons are connected to the key 1 cable and an additional thingi in my cup holder in the middle console has different settings and is connected to the key 2 cable. So the preconditions in Android car radios are fine to fire the intents to every single app you programmed.
You even are able to use long-click intents to switch to different functions.
Examples:
Station forward is a short click, station search is a long click.
Volume down works in a long click as mute/unmute button.
Menu button calls navigation on long click
the green phone button takes the call, on long click I open the voice dialer
...
Well, clearly your (custom) radio app is working on Intents and not KeyEvents.
The problem with long presses is that it delays the immediate action of a press (until it determines whether it's a long or short press).
Ok, in mode switching applications that's not a killer. For page-turn it is. Being impatient, I expect action on the down press. I defeated the long/short logic on my Android ereader.
I replaced my old Nexus 7 (2013) with my cheapy Walmart ONN 8" tablet. Although the battery was fine, I decided to do a "battery-ectomy". The first reason is, I don't like the USB cord coming in the bottom of the tablet where I can catch my knee on it when I turn around. The Onn 8 is pretty standard with a 10k resistor from the white lead to ground to simulate a thermistor. I didn't want to give up the USB connector entirely as I can/will use it for my custom ODB. I was going to solder in an extension so that I didn't have to use the connector out the bottom. It turned out easier than that. The little PCB for the USB can be unscrewed and the flex printed circuit for it can be routed out a hole in the back of the tablet. I may epoxy the board to the back of the tablet, but for now it's dangling. The round thing in the center is a sawed-off microphone holder (5/8-27 thread) epoxied to the back of the tablet. It screws on a gimbal mount by my right hand. The red/black wires get fed 4V from a Velleman buck converter.