Tablet PC as Carputer?

@Deadleave

 

Any more info on the pogo pin setup? I wanted to go this route but couldn't find a whole lot of info on the pogo pin setup for the n7.

 

btw nice razer mat ... I have the same one!

The pogo pin was liberated from the asus dock for n7, got it for ~35 from B&H in NYC

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=899329&Q=&is=REG&A=details

In the end, you will find ~35 reasonable compared to putting one together.

 

Initially I had gone semi ghetto homemade, but it would only charge. the official board puts the N7 into dock mode; I use this to put N7 into daydream after 1 minute. so its mostly black background with a clock, saves battery, and i only have to touch the screen to unlock.

^^ So the pogo supplies both power and audio? Good to know. I was looking to use the pogo's for power. I had a USB OTG cable that had a split for power but it wasn't a right angle cable. I'd prefer to use the pogo pins for power and then use a right angle OTG cable for USB so I don't have to drill out that vent.

 

In other news, does anyone know the difference b/w these two JDM vents? They seem to have different part numbers. Do they fit US LHD cars?

Vent 1

Vent 2

 

Going from the previous info posted by Recca168, the USDM nav bezel is 185mm wide whereas the JDM nav bezel is 205mm. Since the Nexus 7 is 198mm, it seems that the JDM nav bezel would be a better fit (albeit with a little gap, easily covered). From this pic you can see the whole tablet fits, camera and bottom buttons vs some other pics which show them covered. IMHO it would be cleaner to use the JDM one and use some black vinyl or something to cover the gaps.

Sorry for my bad English.

 

I'm riding the Nexus 7 32GB 3G on a Forester GS, and the main problem I have is the battery consumption, I order the Crazy Goat recommended charger, usb cable also.

 

Now I'm testing programs to manage the issue of energy, I'm trying AutomateIt Pro and Tasker,

 

You can tell me which one you are you using? you use both at once?

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm using AutomateIt Pro, which is working excellently. I've been using it on my phone for a few months now

I just switched over to galaxy s4, and wow, its amazing.

 

I used to run bluetooth tethering from my s3, and it ate like 2-~3% an hour of use.

Now I am running striaght wifi hotspot on LTE and 4~5% drain per hour.

 

I am currently on tasker.....

 

I am planning to install a Qi wireless charger into the center armrest area, and use that to drive "wifi hotspot" on off via tasker.

I am thinking about doing this with my N7, but i dont really wanna lose the info and settings menus. I like being able to control the defroster settings and what not.

For those that like to build from the ground up hardware-wise as well as (somewhat) software-wise, Raspberry Pi is a damned good and cheap car PC.

Thanks for the response.

 

An ye doubt some cooling system mounted to the tablet? in summer the temperature has to rise much in where the tablet

This is pretty cool! I play with my nexus too much to mount it into my dash, but I like the idea. With both the torque app for diagnostics and plain old navigation, all you would need is the 3g version or wireless tether it to your phone and you'd never have to leave your car!

 

Also, op, if youre into rooting and stuff like that, you can root the nexus 7 and then be able to download an app (i think the app is stickmount or something similar) and you could use whats called an OTG cable that allows to plug in full size usb peripherals into the n7. The cables usually run like a dollar or two.

I am thinking about doing this with my N7, but i dont really wanna lose the info and settings menus. I like being able to control the defroster settings and what not.

 

Today, after 4 years of only using a Parrot kit to play my music from my phone through my stereo, I decided I'm tired of not having a modern system in my car. When searching for an Android tablet option, I found this thread. Glad to see someone already had the idea!

 

I am also worried about the above. It's not like I use this all the time, but losing the functionality completely would suck. Are these functions performed by the OEM screen? I'd also be a little worried about returning to stock if I were to sell the car, but as of right now, I never want to sell it. We would also lose the temperature display on the NAV screen, and since we don't have a separate display for it, it would be gone. I would be able to display temperature in Celsius though (albeit from an app), something I hate not being able to change on my NAV screen

 

To those using the gestures for controls, you can look into PIE. I've used it on some PAC roms on my Nexus 4 and it's a pretty cool way to manage the menu and other options. I also use Nova launcher which allows some gestures that could emulate some of the things like app drawer, home, etc.

 

I'll have to go back and read the thread in more detail, but the Nexus 7 installs look pretty good! Is anyone using an OBDII app to display some car settings? Are you able to do MPG calculations or have a trip computer?

 

Does anyone use voice commands on their tablet install? Is the microphone able to pick up on your voice?

Edited June 19, 2013 by havanahjoe

Is anyone using an OBDII app to display some car settings? Are you able to do MPG calculations or have a trip computer?

 

 

I am pretty sure you can do this with the Torque app.

Anyone looked at rydeen android units? http://www.rydeenmobile.com/press/android-poweredradio.html

Anyone looked at rydeen android units? http://www.rydeenmobile.com/press/android-poweredradio.html

 

That'd be cool if its cheaper than like $300, which I doubt since android head units are obviously far and few between. Cause for $300 id just get a $200 16gb nexus 7 and put a hundred into figuring out how the hell to make it work as s fully functioning unit. plus unless it updates to the latest os, android 2.2 is 3 years old... haha

We would also lose the temperature display on the NAV screen, and since we don't have a separate display for it, it would be gone. I would be able to display temperature in Celsius though (albeit from an app), something I hate not being able to change on my NAV screen

 

The tablet has a few weather apps that can display outside temp based on GPS so that shouldn't be an issue. I would also figure that the configurable defroster settings would be set the same as they were when you took out the navi. Personally I can live without them for the added functionality of the tablet!

Cheap enough could be worth a shot if you're wanting some funky readings on your dash mounted android device???

 

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e661/

So I finally mounted my Nexus 7 in my dash. It's similar to most of the other installs on here (thanks for the inspiration guys!) but I used the JDM bezel and was able to modify the bracket they sent with it to fit. IMHO looks pretty stock.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/9547724171_ca35eb8e64.jpg

(Disclaimer: The picture above was taken with a professional driver on a closed course)

 

Yes the JDM nav bezel was pricey but it comes with a bracket, has a slightly wider screen opening than the US one, fits in the dash perfectly and has no hole for the USDM navi buttons. There are a few slight modifications I had to do to get it all to fit snugly tho...

 

Hardware Stuffs:

Here is the bracket installed in the dash as-is. It snaps right into the stock mounting locations perfectly.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9550487904_efe4da176e.jpg

 

 

The bracket the JDM bezel comes with does fit in the stock nav location nicely however the pitch isn't right for the tablet as-is. I used washers to soak up the slack and get the desired pitch for the tablet. I believe I used 4 on top and 5 on the bottom. YMMV. I also hot glued the original plastic popits on the top of the bracket. Velcro helps hold the tablet in place on the front of the bracket.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/9547699581_845f87a6a1.jpg

 

 

I drilled a hole in the bottom part so I could make a pass through hole and access the screw holes which will secure the bottom of the bracket (bracket comes in two pieces).

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/9547702641_6d1c4d4fc7.jpg

 

 

The couplers for the vents on the JDM bezel had to be shaved down w/ a dremel. On the US bezel, they are one solid piece. In the pic below the JDM one is a bit longer and the whole thing won't snap in unless they are shaved down.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/9550489550_fb1d578813.jpg

JDM bezel on left, USDM on right.

 

 

For some added clearance, I sanded down the support grooves (struts?) on the inside of the top plastic tab of the bezel. I also bent down the metal ledge the tablet rests on in the bracket a tiny bit.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/9550487248_6f1ae6ca2a.jpg

 

 

Here is a pic of how it sits on the bracket in the dash without the bezel. Again, washers can be added/subtracted to adjust pitch.

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/9550488192_c45d02c489.jpg

 

 

Since the JDM bezel is a few mm wider than the US one, the silver case of the Nexus shows through the screen opening in the bezel. I used some black vinyl I had lying around to mask that and eliminate the gaps on the side as well. I imagine you could use electrical tape as well.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9550489740_25dccd044a.jpg

Vinyl applied to right side of tablet

 

 

The one thing I wasn't happy about was cutting into the vent for the USB cable. I looked into the pogo pin route but didn't have the time to really get into it. I ended up notching each side of the passenger vent so the USB cable passes straight through. You can barely see it but the vent adjustments are stiff as the vent fins hit the cable. Next time I pull it out I will solder my own right angle USB cable to fix that.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/9550490054_319cbbe121.jpg

 

 

Below is everything installed. Of course the flash throws extra highlights on the vinyl borders and the USB cable in the vent. In reality, both aren't that noticeable.

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9550491374_1a44166738.jpg

 

 

Software Stuffs:

So with the bezel sorted, I did some modifications to the tablet software and some automation with NFC tags. The tablet is rooted running Cyanogenmod 10.1 and Timur's USB kernel. Timur's kernel is basically tailored to this type of installation. It includes USB host mode, fast charging, landscape UI locking and many more options. It will also wake the tablet when it senses power and drop it into deep sleep gracefully when power is cut. Since power is only supplied to the cigarette lighter when the car is started and cut when it's turned off, this works nicely with the tablet plugged into the armrest car charger.

 

Since my tablet is WiFi only, I have to tether to my phone (unlimited data plan) for an internet connection. I created an NFC tag with some tasks programmed on it and put it in the cup holder. All I have to do is put my phone in the cup holder and it will read the tag. Upon reading the tag, it will enable the WiFi hotspot (so the tablet can get data), bluetooth and sync apps which will give me hands free texting and phone calls on the tablet. I never thought I'd use NFC tags for anything but in this specific instance they rock!! And they are super cheap too!

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9550487092_e70abc1b8b.jpg

Yes that game controller is in there for a reason!

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9550488524_196b917c0e.jpg

(Disclaimer: The picture above was taken with a professional driver on a closed course) And YES I have enough self control to keep my eyes on the road! This keeps the woman out of my hair on long road trips

 

My home WiFi also reaches outside a bit which makes it super easy to connect and change content on the device. Although it was odd to see my car connected to my home WiFi network

 

Pretty much the sky is the limit with this thing. Between USB, WiFi and Bluetooth you can hook up just about anything! I will be adding a few other things including a backup camera hooked up to the tablet as well. I did some limited testing with a USB webcam and results were decent. I haven't figured out a trigger to have it automagically come up when you pop it into reverse, I'm all ears if anyone has ideas.

 

Thanks to all who posted in the thread to keep me going and my boy Askin for helping out!!

 

Shopping list:

Nexus 7 tablet

Nexus 7 Shell Case (From [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00903HAL0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Amazon[/ame])

Nexus 7 Anti-Glare Screen Protector (From [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OHRJ32/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Amazon[/ame])

JDM Legacy Nav Bezel (From AVOJDM)

Fiio E10 USB DAC (for cleaner audio)

USB OTG Power Y-cable (From [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Cable-Power-Nexus-Galaxy/dp/B00CXAC1ZW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376983972&sr=8-5]Amazon[/ame])

3.6A 18W dual USB car charger (From [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088U4YAG/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Amazon[/ame])

USB Hub (4 Port Generic)

128GB Flash Drive

Logitech Wireless USB Rumblepad

 

Apps:

GMD Gesture Control

ES File Explorer

TuneIn Radio

Spotify

Tablet Talk

Poweramp

NFC Task Launcher

And a bunch of others I'm sure I'm forgetting...

Cabling:

N7 -> USB OTG Y-Cable -> Charging cable to USB cig lighter -> Other end to USB Hub (Thumbdrive, Wireless Controller USB reciever and USB DAC are all plugged into USB hub). Aux cable from USB DAC -> AUX input in armrest.

 

Awesome post. As for the back up camera, I saw a while ago this guy's install:

 

[ame=

] [/ame]

 

Details on his install can be found at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2113259

 

I can't wait to install my nexus 7 as well AND the back up camera too.

These are all pretty awesome.

I wish i had the know-how or technical skills to make a nice in dash holder for my phone, so i could use it as a GPS device.

Oh well, i don't drive out of town much anyhow.

Ok, I'm doing that backup camera install on my Nexus 7. Other than making my Nexus 7 a bluetooth speaker for my phone, the backup camera was the only major feature missing.

Ok, I'm doing that backup camera install on my Nexus 7. Other than making my Nexus 7 a bluetooth speaker for my phone, the backup camera was the only major feature missing.

 

Let us know how it goes.

Can the Nexus 7 also do sat radio?

Hey all. new to the forum. :-)

 

Very nice tablet install you guys have.

 

In January~ this year, i did a similar install in my Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006 and very happy with it. Just recently upgraded it to CyanogenMod 10.2.

 

I'm using the Galaxy Tab 2 7".

 

http://merko.name/i//wqekfj.jpg

 

Also got it hooked up to both my dashcams (dash + rear)

 

http://suzukiblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG20130906102335-1024x576.jpg

http://suzukiblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG20130906102348-1024x576.jpg

 

Earlier this month, i made a blog for my car, since i plan do do a few different modifications etc. you can read all about the install at

http://suzukiblog.net/?page_id=7

^ Nice work! Welcome to the forum .