I'more just looking for confirmation about my expectations. I know that with stock Samsung ui (and therefore touchwiz based) the phone has automatic settings that get triggered when you set your phone in one of these docks (clock style for desk, gps navy for car). I was curious as to if those features are touchwiz specific, like the 'features' of the spen, or if thoae same features got included with some of the aftermarket roms as well.
If not (which is the answer I'm expecting), then I'm wondering what docks people might suggest as an alternate. The whole idea of the dock plugging into the usb and removing the need to plug audio directly into the top headphone jack is nice, but they are some of the more expensive docks out there.
But I already use my phones gps more than my standalone unit, so a dock with extra features outside of simply holding the phone would be a huge plus.
This phone has changed the way I view cellphones, and I find I use it everywhere. Making it easier to use just seems the way to go.
Sent from my home away from home... my Galaxy Note!
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Just thought I'd give a quick report on the Photon car dock. Note that I'm coming from a Samsung Epic and its car dock, so that's my point of reference.
Positives:
1. Works great without needing to download an app. Just plug it in and it works.
2. Interface is clearer and can be customized with a total of four new apps. Given how great the Photon's screen is in direct sunlight, the phone is actually usable in the dock at noon in SoCal.
3. Interface switches to a night mode at (I believe) 6:00pm. It's an orange UI that's easier on the eyes in the dark.
4. Sound quality through the headphone jack via AUX cable is outstanding. There's none of the interference that I experienced with the Epic when nothing's playing, so I'm very happy I no longer have to be quick with the volume or on/off switch on my car's stereo.
5. The phone seems to manage different audio sources better than the Epic. If I'm listening to music while using navigation, for example, the music will fade when navigation is giving voice directions, then smoothly start playing again. On the Epic, the two interfered with each other and things were a general mess.
6. The included quick charger does exactly what it says: charges the phone really quickly.
7. It's much easier to place the phone into and take it out of the dock. I don't have to try three or four times to line things up and feel like I'm breaking something everything I dock it.
Cons:
1. It's black, so it soaks up the sun and gets very hot. The Epic's dock was as well, so that's a wash.
2. The Epic's dock portion could be easily removed from the suction piece, so it could be more easily taken off and hidden from the sun.
Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the dock. I'm thinking of ways to block it from the sun so I don't have to take a minute or two to cool it off when my car's been sitting in the sun (I really should use a sunshade in general), but otherwise it's a great accessory. I'd rate it a 9.5/10, with a half point off for being unable to unclip it.
In fact, I'd be hard-pressed to give up the Photon just because the dock works so well. Overall, the general experience of using the Photon in my car is much, much better than any phone I've used.
I know it might be a little early, but I was wondering whether anyone found a good dock for the TF300. I'd like to use it as an alarm clock, but I'd rather not have it just sit there with the keyboard dock as that'd look a tad weird besides the bed
A basic charger with some sort of support to keep the tablet standing would be sufficient, but it'd be even better if the dock could somehow identify itself so that the tablet could launch an alarm clock app or something along those lines. Speakers would be neat but unnecessary.
I've tried finding a dock for my Nexus S but never managed to grab a good one, so I'm not sure I'll ever find one for the TF300 either, but I'll keep looking.
If you do find one I would be interested to know what you got. I subscribed to this thread so if you do find one can you post back? thanks.
A great dock
Peace.
I use the Asus ConnectDock with my TF300. I am really satisfied with this product as media streaming via LAN is way faster than via WLAN. The downside is the loud electric humming that is to be heard when playing back audio on a external speaker/HIFI. I think this issue is related to the high pitched noise on the video recordings and is called a ground loop. The USB ports are powerd so you can use your external harddrive. The dock feels quite sturdy and I also use it to place my Tablet next to my bed as a alarm clock.
Best regards
Kalle.
Does anyone have any experience/recommendations for an Android-based car stereo head unit? My old stereo has just died, so I am interested in what people think of the currently available ones. I have a double din space.
eBay seems to have several available that are similar to this: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/ca-fi-is-an-aftermarket-android-car-stereo-that-wont-fit-in-you/
There are ones where the Android part is essentially a separate tablet (probably not what I'm after, judging by the videos) http://www.erisin.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=253
Parrot make this single-din stereo: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parrot-Aste...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343930713&sr=1-24
There are no doubt many others too. Prices seem to be in the £200 - £280 range which is about my limit.
Nobody has any experience of these or opinions at all?
I think I'm leaning towards the Parrot as it's rootable, and the single-din size is more likely to fit whatever car I get after my current one.
Bump for this thread. I just recently thought about getting into one of these units too, my only concern is how "locked down" they would be in terms of getting rid of their default launchers and crap they have. I basically want a way to just have android by itself running on the car - I can get apps for just about everything else. Ideally I want a clone of my phone on the car that would sync with my phone. Or better yet, simply a way to have a "remote display" for my phone. That way, anything I'm doing on the car side of things would be the same on my phone, like a received email, new internet bookmark, or something like that.
~T.J.
I just picked up a "Road Cyberman" from China Jiaho (actually they call it something else, but it's the same as Chinavasion's Road Cyberman, except $100 cheaper).
It's running Gingerbread 2.3.5 and proving difficult to root. No adb on the usb (even with debug option), no google apps (although I found some apks that sort of work) and no adb wireless available.
The devices works fine, but I would like to have a little bit more control over it.
I've tried Gingerbreak and the other get root apks, but no luck so far.
Yeah, I have seen a lot of those units, but I kind of changed my mind. I have recently been looking into doing something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q-UXDi3dm3U
I have been following that company for a while, and they just recently released that video and are taking pre-orders for the new board. My biggest hold up at this point is that I would like to use a single DIN stereo for the "amp" by running the audio from their device into the aux input of my existing stereo. I need to find room to mount both the double DIN screen and a custom spot for the single DIN stereo I already have. I would then have the choice of using the stereo without plugging in the phone if I didn't want to for whatever reason. Alternatively, if I can find a good FM tuner app for my phone and a good customizable dock mode, I could eliminate the stock stereo and just run the inputs into a standard automotive 4 channel amp. This of course means you get nothing for a car stereo unless you connect the phone though, unlike the other plan.
Of course, another thought I had was getting a used double DIN touch screen DVD player and using their interface board to convert it to run the Android screen through it, then run the audio straight into the aux input of the touch screen DVD player. That way you have the ability to use the system "as is" out of the box, OR run the Android device through the screen. I think this is the best option, but it also takes the most money since you have the expense of the used double DIN touch screen unit first. I also wonder about picture quality and touch screen sensitivity with the built in touch screens on those units.
Anyway, just food for thought!
~T.J.
EDIT: One of the other hold ups is the calling. I would like to use an external mic and have audio come through the car speakers, currently using that board you are still calling through the device, thus you would need a Bluetooth headset from my understanding. I would like to avoid that if possible also. This is another good reason to go with the double DIN stereo since some of those support Bluetooth calling already and you could probably make/receive calls that way completely hands free.
EDIT #2: If you were into car monitoring and such also, you could easily get a bluetooth OBD interface and run the software on the phone (such as torque) so you could display live data from your car on your dash also. Something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay-ZvTn3fLo&t=45s
I picked up one of these after my buddy sent me this thread. It's got the power, but needs a root bad. Wish I knew how to find root for an Android device.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17228
I got a Note 1 car dock in anticipation of making it work with my new Note 2. the new Note barely wont fit, so its kind of a bust. more alarmingly, the hardware (circuit) part of the car dock doesn't trigger car mode. I personally love the samsung oem car mounts, they are low profile, i can hardwire the charging to the dock, and its a snap to trigger car mode. the circuit within the dock is very basic, just a few resistors and a pass through for charging, and a line out port for audio. i removed the circuit from the dock and plugged it into the Note 2 and nothing happens. on every samsung device that i've tried (epic touch, galaxy player, s3) it always triggers the car mode. I'm hoping that its a software issue, and that a rom will be able to restore the functionality once i can get one on. does anyone know how the car dock function is triggered? does anyone else use their phones like this? i have mine permanently mounted beside the rear view, like a HUD display
cdthomas9 said:
I'm hoping that its a software issue, and that a rom will be able to restore the functionality once i can get one on. does anyone know how the car dock function is triggered?
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A bit old, so I'm sure you've discovered the answer by now. but...
The stock kernel has the car dock detection disabled at this time. I'd imagine they'll change that in a future update, maybe when Drive Link is released for the Note 2 in the US.
It uses the same 619K resistor across pins 4&5 of the USB that many other Samsungs use to trigger the car mode.
I just rigged a usb cable with the resistor and a headphone jack. With the Perseus kernel, the Note 2 will go into car mode, and can send the audio out the USB connector if desired.
FWIW, The only reason I even bothered adding the headphone jack is because I haven't gotten around to getting a car receiver with bluetooth yet.
With the alternate kernel, in Car Mode will the In Call Screen go landscape? I use this constantly in my car and being able to tap numbers into an 800 number call is useful
I'm talking about the 90% of the world who doesn't have a fancy new car with built-in self-aware factory gizmos that mostly sucks anyway.
Those of us with older cars with 'traditional' 1 DIN (think traditional car stereo size) or 2 DIN (think the size of a nexus 7 turned sideways) panels and a pretty 'dumb' car.
Since this is an android forum and the people here probably believe this is the best UI going (particularly with custom ROMs) for car integration, I'm curious what everyone is using.
I really think the appradio 2 is a great option. Built in GPS antenna, car microphone and Pioneer's proven audio capabilities and a fantastic little app like ARliberator to push your Android screen to the head unit makes this a virtual no-brainer.
Its a drop-in $100 install at probably any best buy or car installation shop in the country (and easy to install yourself) as opposed to all the crazy stuff you have to buy to get a N7 to function as a head unit.
You can literally turn any old vehicle into a virtual state of the art car with the majority of the features in brand new cars that you'll pay a couple thousand for (built in GPS, car phone, HD radio, etc.) but you get the android UI for free! don't like something? just download a new app and GO.
So..any suggestions for a category killer here other than the appradio? It can even hook into your car rearview camera (if you choose to install one)
Is there a compelling argument for the N7 over the appradio?
Is there anything else out there that comes remotely close in functionality without having to buy an i(crap)phone?