Tablet PC as Carputer?

I've had my Nexus 7 in the car for about 2 years now. Here are some things to note:

 

Backup Camera

Finally got a working solution. Got a Wifi backup camera off of Amazon (available on eBay too). It creates it's own Wifi hotspot, which you connect to on the Nexus 7 and then using an app from the Google Play store you can view the video feed over the wifi connection.

 

AutomateIt Integration

Both my phone (Note 3) and Nexus 7 have AutomateIt installed. It works the same as Tasker, I just find the interface easier to use. With AutomateIt, I have the rules set around the power status of the Nexus 7.

 

When the Nexus 7 receives power (ie: car turns on):

- Turn on the tablet screen

- Turn on wifi and bluetooth

- Start Car Home Ultra (my car dock app)

 

When my car starts up, I also have a bluetooth device in the car that will power up only when the car is on. Doing this, allows my phone to pair with the bluetooth for handsfree calling, but also, using AutomateIt, when it pairs with the bluetooth my WifiHotspot from my phone turns on, connecting my Nexus 7 to an internet connection.

 

When the car turns off, AutomateIt:

- Automatically closes Car Home Ultra, and Waze (if it was open)

- Automatically turns off my phone's WifiHotspot

- Automatically turns off wifi, bluetooth, and my Nexus 7's screen

- If music was playing, it stops that as well.

 

With everything working like this, I don't ever have to touch any buttons, turn anything on, or fiddle with any settings when turning on and off the car. When the car is off, the Nexus 7 is on battery power, and lasts well over 2 weeks because it is not running any apps, the screen is off, and all connections are turned off. Even when it does dip a little low on battery power, it typically charges at about 1% a minute so just a short drive can often get it topped up.

 

What are you using for the hands free calling? I've been researching this for a few days and it seems that hands free calling is the only thing without a clear solution.

What are you using for the hands free calling? I've been researching this for a few days and it seems that hands free calling is the only thing without a clear solution.

 

I bought the iClever Himbox HB01 Bluetooth 4.0 Hands-Free Car Kit. It's available on Amazon.ca. works great and also integrates music controls. I have two phones and it pairs both at the same time.

Some updates worth mentioning in case you kids haven't seen them:

 

Looks like Timur moved to a donations model for updates (not a bad thing, he made this all possible!). Also mentions built-in support for backup camera as well as some other features:

https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/

 

New Nexus 9 tablet announced which is probably too big for our dash (dimensions are 8.99 x 6.05 x 0.31 inches) but it could mean we may see a price drop on the Nexus 7 tabs in the future:

http://amzn.to/1t91OYe

 

 

My 2012 Nexus 7 tab has been in the car awhile and working (mostly) well. I will most likely pickup a 2013 tab soon and swap that in. While not horrible, the 2012 version is just getting a little 'sluggish' for my tastes now. Besides it gives me an excuse to take things apart again

 

This install was also done nicely and looks like he modified the power connector to fit thru the seaker grill on the back which may solve our 'vent cutting' issues. He also added a 15A DC charger. It also links to 'autodroid' which may be a free option instead of Timur's (now paid) kernel:

 

http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/2jm097/i_installed_an_nexus_7_in_my_car_it_looks_awesome/

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZC9rzA5.jpg

 

Full gallery link:

http://imgur.com/a/51cPf

 

Autodroid:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789993

Edited October 21, 2014 by EquinnoxX

While not horrible, the 2012 version is just getting a little 'sluggish' for my tastes now.

 

How much free space is left on the tablet? I believe if it is less than 2-3GB, it begins to slow down. I experienced this and cleaned it up last week. It is a bit faster now.

How much free space is left on the tablet? I believe if it is less than 2-3GB, it begins to slow down. I experienced this and cleaned it up last week. It is a bit faster now.

 

Thanks for that, I will check on it a bit and clean some stuff up.

 

I am also possibly thinking of trying to bypass the battery altogether. A direct connection would seem a better route to go to alleviate the power issues as well as temperature concerns. I would welcome anyone who has ideas good/bad on how to accomplish this.

No worries man. Hopefully that'll work for you. And thanks for your links. I'll definitely have a look as I STILL have not installed mine .

I dont have a nexus so I am using a galaxy tab 3. My question is for people who have a tab installed already. if the tablet loses all power after turning the car off say overnight, and you turn your car on the next day, how do you get your tablet to power on without access to the power button on the side? with my ipad it powers on automatically whe connected to power, but my galaxy tab does not. Any ideas?

 

Using the fastboot tool you can interrogate the device options.

fastboot getvar all

 

 

If you can see the option:

(bootloader) off-mode-charge: 1

 

You can change this to:

fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0

 

I don't know if the Galaxy Tab 3 has this option, I don't believe it's a required/universal feature.

I use an app called AutomateIt to automate a lot of functions. For example, when the power is cut and the tablet goes on battery, I have it set so that it goes into airplane mode, turns off the screen, and closes open apps. This way, I'm able to have the tablet stay on battery power for several weeks before it runs out of juice.

 

Tasker is another app that will do similar things.

Yeah, none of those will boot the hardware unless the function is supported at the most basic level of the device though. Those all require a booted/running OS before they can perform tasks.

For those looking, Groupon has the newer 2013 Asus Nexus 7 16GB for $149. 5 days left.

 

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-asus-google-nexus-7-android-tablet

 

 

andddd the 32gb model (refurb) for $185

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Google-Nexus-7-2nd-Gen-7-32-GB-Android-4-3-Wi-Fi-Tablet-2013-BLACK/201177051781

Edited December 11, 2014 by EquinnoxX

^Solid deal - I picked up my old Nexus 7 for $120 and it was used. If anyone is looking to put a tablet in their car, I highly recommend the Nexus 7. Easily modified and the internals are very easy to move around if you want modify the I/O ports.

I have a really inexpensive solution for mounting a tablet in our cubbys!

I fell upon this thing at a dollar store this weekend and after a bit of bending and tightening, it seems to work VERY well considering it only cost me 2$

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzE4WDg4NQ==/z/uSYAAOSwQJhUlvwB/$_57.JPG

 

I'll post installed pics when I get home but for the time being I'll try to explain how I have it mounted.

 

Theres three bars that connect at the hinges; two being straight and one that has a bend in it (to hold the tablet)

The two that are straight I inserted in then expanded them to touch both the top and bottom walls of the cubby. It's a surprisingly good fit but still not snug, I just pushed outwards from iside the hinges(just to make it fit tight lengthwise) and thats it.

My samsung tab 3 fits perfectly. And to top it off, the cubby door comes down to secure it in place and block off the light coming from inside.

Best 2$ ever.

 

Pics to come tonight!

Hope this helps someone out there!

-John

^So? Pictures

 

In the meantime, I am not sure if this was posted before: http://kruxor.com/?p=view&uid=53c35ebb92d6d&title=in-car-dash-nexus-7-work-log

 

Found the actual thread that goes with it http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=21888

Edited December 25, 2014 by xt2005bonbon

Quick question for those subscribed to this thread...

 

For those of you using the OEM nav bezel with your nexus 7, can you confirm that the opening is a bit smaller than the nexus (2012 version) screen? Could you share a picture of your setup again? Please

Pictures coming sooooooooooon ! Just got my Iphone 6, gunna get on that!

Quick question for those subscribed to this thread...

 

For those of you using the OEM nav bezel with your nexus 7, can you confirm that the opening is a bit smaller than the nexus (2012 version) screen? Could you share a picture of your setup again? Please

 

Found the answer to my own question. See this video and jump to ~9:00

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwaHfU4qrdE]In Dash Nexus 7 Project - 2005 Subaru Legacy - Small Updates - YouTube[/ame]

Here's a couple photos of what it looks like.

 

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/A95C11D2-1C50-4B41-8DC9-1BDA5564B50F_zpslbsnidri.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/EF9301BA-5164-4750-8E2D-6E393134506E_zpsfdi3emjm.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/9E301F8E-8606-41DF-8D90-C8E9B49148EE_zpsc4qxwts9.jpg

 

Now, I know that this isnt classy or the most appealing at first glance, but whats nice is being able to take the support out easily whenever you want and you honestly cant beat the price! Also the rubber material that it's coated in provides a non-slip contact which makes it surprisingly sturdy. Dollarama sells these for 2$

Here's a couple photos of what it looks like.

 

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/A95C11D2-1C50-4B41-8DC9-1BDA5564B50F_zpslbsnidri.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/EF9301BA-5164-4750-8E2D-6E393134506E_zpsfdi3emjm.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w552/jrayd1/9E301F8E-8606-41DF-8D90-C8E9B49148EE_zpsc4qxwts9.jpg

 

Now, I know that this isnt classy or the most appealing at first glance, but whats nice is being able to take the support out easily whenever you want and you honestly cant beat the price! Also the rubber material that it's coated in provides a non-slip contact which makes it surprisingly sturdy. Dollarama sells these for 2$

 

Have you tried doing hard acceleration to see if the tablet falls?

Enough times! Whipped my car around a couple mountain roads this weekend aswell and I can honestly say it didnt fall out of place once. The fact that the cubby door closes on the top of the tablet helps a lot.

Mind you, I'm not driving a 330 awhp moster but my grocery-getter's got a DP+UP+CBE,spt intake and a no-name LWCP tuned @ Lachute Performance. 17-18psi max.

It's actually a really great solution for those not wanting to do anything too permanent to their car.

For all you guys that have tablets in your cars I was wondering if you ever had any trouble with then not working in the winter? I live in Wisconsin and im worried that the LCD crystals in the screen could freeze when we have some of our -20° temperatures.

Ironically, (?) this Canadian does not have problems with his tablet in the winter months, it doesn't get cold enough.

Well I guess I have the advantage of taking it out of the car when I'm not driving but I have seen lcd-lag when I forgot my tab in the car one night. Still fully functional and quite responsive