Which Android headunit?

[SilverNodashi]

I haven't tried one and when deciding on a HU for my car I went the route of a (high-ish) quality double din (Kenwood) that can do Android Auto.
If you're dead set on an Android powered head unit, I know the Pumpkin head units come up a lot in discussions on the UK Civic forums- or did at one time. I haven't been very active there lately so not sure if they've moved on to a different brand.

Does this mean you're phone is on constantly while using the radio? I understand that it mirrors your phone so essentially your phone does the processing and it just displays on the HUD?

 

[ProfA]

You are wasting your time going straight android as it will never get updated and be mostly useless in the next few years.
You should rather be looking for something that runs android auto where the software on the unit matters a lot less than your phone.

The operating system, maybe not (automatically), but the apps get updated just as regularly using the play store. And to update the operating system, just requires a bit of googling to get the correct version from the many forums and websites dedicated to this.

I.e. you are talking nonsense.

 

[Magandroid]

I bought this unit about 3 years ago and still works perfectly. Unfortunately it only runs Android 4.4 but that is sufficient for my needs. I bought it directly from Audiosources and took about a weeks to get here.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/d90-610-car-stereo

I see the new models now run Android 6 or 8 and have some very nice features. You will have to check if they do the model for your car though.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/car-dvd-1

 

[SykomantiS]

Does this mean you're phone is on constantly while using the radio? I understand that it mirrors your phone so essentially your phone does the processing and it just displays on the HUD?

Sort of. It's not mirroring as you would think of in traditional terms (although my head unit can do that too). So you have an Android Auto App on your phone, and also any app you want to use has to be approved for use with Android Auto. There is also a specific design and layout the apps must adhere to, in order to minimise distractions, and so forth. Not all apps can be used with AA. The head unit connects to your phone via a USB cable and Bluetooth- so your phone is also charging while in use- but generally your screen is off and you don't interact with the phone directly.

https://www.android.com/auto/

And yes, Waze is an officially supported Andriod Auto app- Don't ask me about the user experience in AA though because I don't use Waze at all. I tired it once (I mean, Waze itself, before Android Auto even existed), for like a week- it didn't work out at all for me.

List of A compatible apps:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/promotion_3001303_android_auto_all

 

[Claymore]

C

Thanx,I'll let you know when I'm that side of Gauteng again. I'm on the East Rand

Cool.

 

[hellfire]

Resurrecting this thread...
what are the 2021 suggestions for a decent (but sub R5k) head unit?

 

[hellfire]

Or any suggestions what I should be looking at in terms of specs?

 

[Sixteen]

Sure, you're welcome to. I'm in Weltevreden Park.

The Android units do all that. Don't worry about the brand - they're all generic Chinese brands, and you pretty much will never get updates or anything from them.

HI, I realise this is an old thread - hoping it's nottoo old to solicit no response, I'm curious as to whether or not it allows the downloading and installing of apps from Google play store? I realise that not all apps will be supported, but essentially does it have the capacity to allow me to actually add apps?

 

[PsyWulf]

HI, I realise this is an old thread - hoping it's nottoo old to solicit no response, I'm curious as to whether or not it allows the downloading and installing of apps from Google play store? I realise that not all apps will be supported, but essentially does it have the capacity to allow me to actually add apps?

They do,it's a glorified tablet with an antenna and speaker ports,great bang for buck

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

HI, I realise this is an old thread - hoping it's nottoo old to solicit no response, I'm curious as to whether or not it allows the downloading and installing of apps from Google play store? I realise that not all apps will be supported, but essentially does it have the capacity to allow me to actually add apps?

1st comment in 9 years
Time to change your nick to TwentyFive

Anyways, did everyone come right finding headunits with Waze on them?

 

[PsyWulf]

Anyways, did everyone come right finding headunits with Waze on them?

Just install it