Google Nexus 7 Head Unit in 2008 STi

[metajames]

Originally Posted by BaconHunter

Very clean install. I'm doing the exact same thing in my car, so I can appreciate the work involved. Do you mind answering some questions I have?

-How are you handling heat? Androids shutdown when the internal lipo temp gets too high, which is quite easy to do with the car parked in the sun....

-How are you turning it on? Does the nexus 7 automatically turn on when power is applied?

-Got some cute tasker scripts you want to share?

-Are you using car mode or some sort of alternative app?

-Any cool android in car apps you particularly like?

-Did the anti-glare screen help significantly?

-Plans for any cool peripherals? You can let your imagination go crazy with OTG and ioio.

Yes, I'm concerned about heat. Trying to think through some ways to address that. Right now it's winter so I have a few months to figure it out.

I use tasker to turn on screen and wifi when the power is applied via USB. The power adapter is switched.

Nothing fancy in tasker right now just wifi and screen on / off.

During testing I tried out many of the car apps and hated them all, car home ultra is not bad but overall did not like them. I decided that I put the tablet into the car because I really like the stock android experience so why ruin a good thing...

I've been researching IOIO + tasker options for a few ideas. Screen dimming with dash dimmer, timed charging, cooling etc.

Anti-glare helps allot, and had the added surprise benefit of making the tablet polarized sunglasses compatible.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[whiskeytech]

I was on the internet and I found this...

http://hackaday.com/2013/01/29/adapt...board-opening/

I thought it looked oddly familiar

[400whp]

I'm doing this project this weekend.
I know I'm going to jack something up, but can't wait!

[gambera]

Originally Posted by whiskeytech

I was on the internet and I found this...

http://hackaday.com/2013/01/29/adapt...board-opening/

I thought it looked oddly familiar

Looks like somebody noticed his work and I gotta say it's a really good one.

I'm thinking of doing it, except I got galaxy tab 10.1. But that's summer project for now and if I can fit in the dash

[05_wRex]

Originally Posted by plotboxe

Just looked it up and it says 20w amp. Would this be loud and clear enough for a car with a loud exhaust? Is it comparable to most aftermarket radios as far as sound? I assume it would need a separate amp to really be clear?

Pretty sure he answered this. I understood that it probably won't be enough for some, but it works. Probably a little better/louder than the stock radio.

[swicago]

I found this thread via hackaday...
I thought I would post a link that may help the OP...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2019847
The nexus 7 has 4 pogo pins on the side and since jellyBean 4.2.1, these can be used for Charging and Audio output. This would free your BT connection for a phone and you wouldn't have to by any other hardware, such as the USB-OTG DAC.

Cheers
-AL

[peteypabs88]

How did you get spotify to work in landscape mode?

[GTapex]

Nice work, I wanna ask how secure is the cig charger plugged in? I would be worried vibrations would shake it loose in that configuration.

[cm26484]

Originally Posted by peteypabs88

How did you get spotify to work in landscape mode?

On Google Play search for the Set Orientation app. This will change the orientation for several apps that do not have a native landscape mode.

[zedix]

Originally Posted by cm26484

On Google Play search for the Set Orientation app. This will change the orientation for several apps that do not have a native landscape mode.

You win the Internet, sir! That's awesome.

[DriveTurkey]

Originally Posted by metajames

Yes, I'm concerned about heat. Trying to think through some ways to address that. Right now it's winter so I have a few months to figure it out.

I use tasker to turn on screen and wifi when the power is applied via USB. The power adapter is switched.

Nothing fancy in tasker right now just wifi and screen on / off.

During testing I tried out many of the car apps and hated them all, car home ultra is not bad but overall did not like them. I decided that I put the tablet into the car because I really like the stock android experience so why ruin a good thing...

I've been researching IOIO + tasker options for a few ideas. Screen dimming with dash dimmer, timed charging, cooling etc.

Anti-glare helps allot, and had the added surprise benefit of making the tablet polarized sunglasses compatible.

I plan to replicate your setup on my '02 WRX.
Thinking about heat, my idea is to use a usb fan

and connect that to some of battery pack that supports pass-through charging like the HyperJuice Mini


and connecting it to the usb fans. The fans would still run when the car is off, and would probably run a long time with a decent sized battery pack.
add in a USB on/off switch

and you have an easy cooling system that will run all day.

I was thinking of drilling holes in the Nexus cover and mounting the fans with Sugru (or some adhesive). You could even go as far are popping off the back cover of the Nexus 7 itself and drilling a few holes. Ifixit.com did a teardown and the back cover comes off very quickly.

I plan to install a radio where my clock is using a Upper Dash DIN mount and just running an AUX cable to the Nexus. The power with use a 12v adapter that my mechanic will run straight to the battery to charge the device.

I am also going to hid a NFC tag behind my dash that will trigger my phone to turn on WIFI hotspot and connect to my Nexus for internet.

I'm going to start with buying the Dash mount and redoing my radio before anything else. I kind of want to find a ****ty looking deck that that has Back AUX out to deter theft. All I would use the radio for is to power speakers volume/radio. Any Suggestions on something not flashy?

I might wait and see about a 1080p Nexus 7 that could come out in may (Link)

Can you tell me which Metra radio mount you used specifically?

[AzN121184]

wow. impressed with the build! good job.

[Sethdawg]

Gorgeous!

[bograma]

Originally Posted by metajames

Yes, I'm concerned about heat. Trying to think through some ways to address that.

James, great setup, enjoy! I had the same idea more than a year ago but didn't take it far than that.
Regarding heat and possibly theft, my idea was to make it removable, as in take the N7 w/ me when I left the car. Taking into account your previous experience, would you find it possible?

[Loougle]

NICE WORK!

Have a few questions though,


Did you need a special harness to go from your wiring to the bluetooth receiver?
(Crutchfield is telling me I need a wiring harness then a special bluetooth harness that connects to the bluetooth receiver)
Have you had a problem with the MKi9 disconnecting on you?

I see you're in SoCal and so am I so how much did the acrylic cost? and what dimensions did you use for the acrylic?

[Loougle]

Originally Posted by bograma

James, great setup, enjoy! I had the same idea more than a year ago but didn't take it far than that.
Regarding heat and possibly theft, my idea was to make it removable, as in take the N7 w/ me when I left the car. Taking into account your previous experience, would you find it possible?

I've been designing mine to be removable and here is my thoughts. If you look at his acrylic box, I would have the bottom piece stick out the front a bit more, then on the bottom use the new Asus dock and attach it to the box. Then you drop the N7 into the dock and you can use the OTG cable and have it connected to an octopus so you can connect it to a hard drive or whatever you want.

[Andrew025]

Originally Posted by Loougle

I've been designing mine to be removable and here is my thoughts. If you look at his acrylic box, I would have the bottom piece stick out the front a bit more, then on the bottom use the new Asus dock and attach it to the box. Then you drop the N7 into the dock and you can use the OTG cable and have it connected to an octopus so you can connect it to a hard drive or whatever you want.

That's what I've been planning to do but haven't found any info on if it supports charging from the dock and allows otg access.

[Loougle]

Originally Posted by Andrew025

That's what I've been planning to do but haven't found any info on if it supports charging from the dock and allows otg access.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/goo...k-4-1-2-a.html


This guy tested it and it looks like a go, I've been trying to find the same info on XDA but I didn't find anything except I did see your question on that thread though! Hahahaha

[Loougle]

http://www.adorama.com/ASNEX7DO.html#reviews

This guy right here used the dock with the USB squid

[Andrew025]

Originally Posted by Loougle

http://forums.androidcentral.com/goo...k-4-1-2-a.html

This guy tested it and it looks like a go, I've been trying to find the same info on XDA but I didn't find anything except I did see your question on that thread though! Hahahaha

nice, thanks for the link.

[05_wRex]

Originally Posted by metajames

In a regular install the Parrot "intercepts" the speaker outs from the existing head unit, in my case I just have nothing connected on that side. Not sure if the parrot can push preamp out, have a look at the install manual downloaded from their website it has everything on there. If your starting from scratch the Parrot may not be the best choice. It was easy for me since I had already installed it.

May not be in your budget but for a super slick install and power amp integration check out the Audison bit One. Use it with a usb DAC and OTG cable.

I control audio from the touch screen, you can from parrot remote but I find it finicky depending on the audio application currently playing.

Is there an extra micro USB port for the otg cable? If not, how would it charge and provide audio at the same time? Wouldn't the otg cable be using the charging port? I couldn't find a detailed enough side profile of the nexus 7 to see if there was an extra port.

Thanks.

[Loougle]

Originally Posted by 05_wRex

Is there an extra micro USB port for the otg cable? If not, how would it charge and provide audio at the same time? Wouldn't the otg cable be using the charging port? I couldn't find a detailed enough side profile of the nexus 7 to see if there was an extra port.

Thanks.

The audio is through bluetooth with his Pelican unit.

[05_wRex]

Originally Posted by Loougle

The audio is through bluetooth with his Pelican unit.

I understand. I was talking about using a USB DAC.

[Loougle]

Originally Posted by 05_wRex

I understand. I was talking about using a USB DAC.

Wow I'm dumb my bad, you can use a USB squid or you can try the new Asus dock and then use the USB port for the DAC

[maksusi]

Best setup I've seen so far!
Can you describe how you've integrated your speakers and tablet?