My In-Dash Nexus 7 Project

[wally09]

hey guys,

pulled my head unit out today to see what I needed, connection wise.
The McIntosh is the face lifted version PF 28241, with what i assume is a factory AUX in the center console.

my questions are.

. I realise the white plug in the unit is for the AUX but where do the red black and white cables go? Cigarette socket in console?
.what is that loose plug for?
.will the fsl connect to this headunit?

its a shame about the ROM not being pused onto the nexus 7 2013, i think i might still fit one and work my way around on a different rom (i feel most ROMs for the original nexus will slow down development and pickup for the 2013)

just have to make sure the dimensions are ok for the facia (check once it arrives)
hopefully kit kat 4.4 comes with more usb otg control
cheers

[Monkey]

I also have the Nexus 2013/2nd gen, and admittedly don't know a lot about ROMs, but I'm wondering what you need it for?
I reckon if you simply want to get audio out there may be other options - eg.

1. Some forum posts suggest Cyanogenmod 10.2 will get audio out on the 2nd gen Nexus
2. or maybe this? : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-3-5mm- ... 3f290d6fe9
3. MHL HDMI adaptor to VGA with 3.5mm line out? - eg. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-MHL-T ... 1e7e3ff295

If (2) and/or (3) work they may not be as good quality as running via a USB DAC though... not sure??
Still, at around $10 or less it cheap enough to take a gamble.

Pretty sure we'll see a USB audio app on the Play Store in the coming months as there's clearly a lot of interest in this.

EDIT: standard MHL-->HDMI adaptor doesn't work with Nexus 7 2nd gen, but the SlimPort one does (~$15 delivered from Asia): http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/For-Google-N ... 4d141f13c0
But would then need HDMI --> 3.5mm converter (eg. digital to analogue hub), so probably inefficient.

[wally09]

i have CM10.2 nightly's on my s3, hopefully my OTG cable arrives soon and i can test it, the dev's for cyanogenmod are working towards a stable release.
i might wait for kit kat 4.4 and then the CM10.3/11 this link sounds promising http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/512704/20131010/new-android-4-kitkat-logs-leaked-12.htm#.UnbCY_mnr_E

[TheFirstEskimo]

Finally making some progress on my home screen. That was no easy process.

Not quite there yet but I am still waiting on my OTG cable. If anyone else is thinking of ordering from the guy who was recommended in this post, I would advise against. Have been waiting 3 weeks now...

I'd like to thank BigBadBenny for all his help with this. I couldnt have done it without him

[Monkey]

Looks good - what did you use - Tasker?

OTG cable - order off Ebay locally this afternoon and you should have by Friday. Mine was $5 and 2 days from Syd-Melb. Works well

[TheFirstEskimo]

Looks good - what did you use - Tasker?

OTG cable - order off Ebay locally this afternoon and you should have by Friday. Mine was $5 and 2 days from Syd-Melb. Works well

Combination of Photoshop and Image2wallpaper for the wallpaper, Nova Launcher for the grid layout, UCCW for the widgets/icon editing. Icon Pack 'Metrostation' by yankoa.

Yeah I thought this guy was in Australia but possibly not

[seanmau5]

Tasker is doing my head in!!!!!

Is anyone any good at it? They've done some updates and fark me it's impossible to use now.

[bigBADbenny]

General guide:
http://m.androidauthority.com/how-to-use-tasker-199872/

I've done the disable screen lock Tasker task successfully.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comment ... th_tasker/
So I'm going to adapt that to toggle car mode when the SGS connects or disconnects to the BT OBD.

You could automatically switch launchers too...
http://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments ... launchers/

This chap has Torque logs automatically uploading when returning home
http://blog.brianmoses.net/2012/11/ulti ... rsion.html

[Robbks]

Tasker still seems simple enough.

I have a "Power ON" profile
-when power connection is detected, screen set to never turn off.
and a Power Off profile
-when no power is detected, screen is allowed to sleep after 30 seconds
-pause command is sent to media controller

I also have tasker on my phone so that when it connects to my bluetooth kit and it's plugged into power, it turns on the hotspot for the tablet to connect to.

[Monkey]

Tasker still seems simple enough.

I have a "Power ON" profile
-when power connection is detected, screen set to never turn off.
and a Power Off profile
-when no power is detected, screen is allowed to sleep after 30 seconds
-pause command is sent to media controller

I also have tasker on my phone so that when it connects to my bluetooth kit and it's plugged into power, it turns on the hotspot for the tablet to connect to.

Any instructions or guidance on this? I'd like to do the same

[dave2221]

Anyone thought about going down a different route......

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Car-GPS-Navigation-Navigator-HD-Bluetooth-Wireless-Reverse-Camera-Speedcam-/321243690775?pt=AU_Electronics_GPS&hash=item4acb9db717&_uhb=1

I basically want to leave the stock McIntosh unit in the Liberty that i buy (looking at an 05 GT wagon on saturday)

But i also want Bluetooth (this is nearly a must for me)
And would LOVE GPS and reverse camera.

This is a similar mod to your Nexus program, except simplified a little....

Its a $99 GPS/Bluetooth/Reverse camera

Now there are a STACK of these 7" units available, and i havnt figured out which would be best.... so if you have any thoughts let me know.

Basically, external mic would be nice (but looks very hard to do on these portable ones)
Also the "FM Transmitter" is OK, or you can wire it into the AUX imput.
But it means if you want to take a call, or have turn by turn GPS you cant listen to anything else except music coming from the GPS unit......

I would prefer somethign that connects into the back of the McIntosh (like a parrot) via ISO cables, and i would have music come in via AUX from another input....

Thus the Bluetooth/GPS function would override any music that i choose to play, and use the stock speakers.

[Monkey]

That is certainly a cheap item and good value for the money. I've owned a few cheap Chinese GPSes and head units, so here's my thoughts:

1. Screen resolution is a lot lower than the Nexus or any other branded tablet
2. these sort of units have buggy software and the GPS may randomly crash. Won't have Googlemaps which is by far the best mapping/GPS system I've used - mainly due to the POIs not being limited by the map producer's interests.
3. Does it have an audio line out (ie. 3.5mm stereo plug)? Although you may be able to use the Bluetooth to send an audio signal to a bluetooth receiver (eg. Belkin Aircast), it'd be preferable to get one with a line out too as a backup.
4. It's unlikely the audio quality will be any good.
5. Audio via an FM transmitter sounds shit - often worse than radio stations - I would never rely on this.
6. I'd assume that if you have your phone connected via BT and playing music, the music will pause when a call is received.
7. Battery life will be rubbish. I'd be surprised if you get 2 hrs from new. I'd bank on having it plugged in all the time.
8. No email, internet radio, no data search capability - may not be important/useful?
9. Parrot BT kit will cost you $200+ (extra if you need someone to install). I'd be inclined to spend more on the unit than on adding BT.
10. 128MB RAM in this vs 1GB in the Nexus 1 / 2GB in the Nexus 2 - might not be very stable?
11. Reversing camera is the biggest selling point in my view. But I'm pretty confident there's a way to hook this up to an Android tablet (or rather hoping an app will appear soon?! )

I think there's a reason why people chose the Nexus over other devices for an install. You can pick up a 1st gen s/hand for about $150. I'd suggest doing that instead if budget is a limitation.
My 2 cents. Hope that helps somewhat

If you're just looking for a cheap BT unit and already have the aux in plug installed in the car, I have this and pretty happy with it for the price: http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/home-stereo ... oth-audio/
Only downside is that when on charge, it turns the device off. But the battery life is reasonable for its size and can recharge in the car.

[Robbks]

11. Reversing camera is the biggest selling point in my view. But I'm pretty confident there's a way to hook this up to an Android tablet (or rather hoping an app will appear soon?! )

done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPZ6Q6CLxeA

you power the unit from the reverse camera
this activates the hot-spot
use tasker to launch the app when the hotspot is connected.

[Monkey]

11. Reversing camera is the biggest selling point in my view. But I'm pretty confident there's a way to hook this up to an Android tablet (or rather hoping an app will appear soon?! )

done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPZ6Q6CLxeA

you power the unit from the reverse camera
this activates the hot-spot
use tasker to launch the app when the hotspot is connected.

Have you done this? If so , how much $ and where to buy?

[dave2221]

That is certainly a cheap item and good value for the money. I've owned a few cheap Chinese GPSes and head units, so here's my thoughts:

1. Screen resolution is a lot lower than the Nexus or any other branded tablet
2. these sort of units have buggy software and the GPS may randomly crash. Won't have Googlemaps which is by far the best mapping/GPS system I've used - mainly due to the POIs not being limited by the map producer's interests.
3. Does it have an audio line out (ie. 3.5mm stereo plug)? Although you may be able to use the Bluetooth to send an audio signal to a bluetooth receiver (eg. Belkin Aircast), it'd be preferable to get one with a line out too as a backup.
4. It's unlikely the audio quality will be any good.
5. Audio via an FM transmitter sounds shit - often worse than radio stations - I would never rely on this.
6. I'd assume that if you have your phone connected via BT and playing music, the music will pause when a call is received.
7. Battery life will be rubbish. I'd be surprised if you get 2 hrs from new. I'd bank on having it plugged in all the time.
8. No email, internet radio, no data search capability - may not be important/useful?
9. Parrot BT kit will cost you $200+ (extra if you need someone to install). I'd be inclined to spend more on the unit than on adding BT.
10. 128MB RAM in this vs 1GB in the Nexus 1 / 2GB in the Nexus 2 - might not be very stable?
11. Reversing camera is the biggest selling point in my view. But I'm pretty confident there's a way to hook this up to an Android tablet (or rather hoping an app will appear soon?! )

I think there's a reason why people chose the Nexus over other devices for an install. You can pick up a 1st gen s/hand for about $150. I'd suggest doing that instead if budget is a limitation.
My 2 cents. Hope that helps somewhat

If you're just looking for a cheap BT unit and already have the aux in plug installed in the car, I have this and pretty happy with it for the price: http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/home-stereo ... oth-audio/
Only downside is that when on charge, it turns the device off. But the battery life is reasonable for its size and can recharge in the car.

Well here are some thoughts..........
1. screen resolution..... its for GPS and reversing, so i dont give a shit
2. true, GPS can be buggy, but it should be OK, they have been doing this a while now
3. I would just use the FM Transmit i think, and accept its only a GPS/Bluetooth..... And have a seperate AUX input for any music i wanted to play.....
4. agreed
5. i wouldnt use it for music, but would be acceptable for calls and GPS navigation
6. yup
7. yup, i would install like a nexus 7 and hardwire it
8. I have a mobile phone..... why i would need to do this on a car screen is just redundant..... your hardly going to be emailing from the dash, when you can just pick your phone up.
9. This thing does BT.... so dont see why i need ANOTHER unit
10. Its just GPS, 128ram should be fine
11. yup

Ok, onto the next product....

http://www.parrot.com/au/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-tablet

This is closer again to what i think would be an excellent product. (i havnt confirmed price, but i think its expensive)

What this gives you, is an intergrated BT and audio experience..... and retains FULL functionality of your stock stereo.....

If you mounted the screen up where the cubby is, its just a power lead thats needed, the rest is connected to the "eBox" somewhere else.

If you could add a reverse camera to this, it would be my first choice of unit