USB Android Box

[MidnightStars]

Hey, figured I'd share this with y'all.

I've been using the Motorola MA1 for wireless AndroidAuto, but I hated the experience for one reason: heat dissipation. God forbid you decide to not use the A/C, the sucker just reboots. Even purchased a later revision & it still craps out in my car.

To replace it, I found one that supported both wireless CarPlay & AndroidAuto, as well as some additional features...

An Android interface, with a WiFi controller, and pre-loaded with some acceptable apps... with a hotspot connection, you can actually watch anything on YouTube or Netflix... even while driving

But that's not even the best part... it is an Android interface after all. You're able to install supported apps through the Play Store, or load in your own APK files through a FREAKING EXPANDABLE MICROSD CARD SLOT! I wound up putting in Plex to access my media server, and it works without a hitch!!!

If anyone wants me to, I can upload a video sample so you can see how it looks. Visually, the darks are horrendous (what else did you expect from an INFOTAINMENT screen?), but the framerate is actually more than enough. 30 FPS is all you need.

Boot up time is way longer to get into AndroidAuto/CarPlay. From starting the car, it takes about 30 seconds for it to boot up into the Android interface, plus another 10-15 seconds to get into Android Auto/CarPlay.

HOW DOES THIS WORK!? It "pretends" to be Apple CarPlay to SYNC, using that as a sort of "tunnel" to lay out the Android interface. From there, you can access Android Auto or CarPlay, as well as any other app. I wish I had purchased this a long time ago, apparently, these suckers have been around forever!! So yes, that means your car MUST support wired Apple CarPlay in order for this to work. My car didn't, but I swapped out the USB hub in the glove box to one that did.

The unit I specifically got is the Herilary C9. If any of you guys are using something similar, what is it?

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[tosha]

Where did you buy it from? Can you share a link please?

 

[MidnightStars]

Where did you buy it from? Can you share a link please?

I got mine through Amazon. I was neglecting to share it because the reviews looked way too scuffed--everyone reviewing received the item for free.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXSM4KNX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The one I got is as listed, but the brand is HERILARY, which you may be better off purchasing directly from them. Their website seems to be down the past two days though, so not sure what's happening there.

Also keep in mind that it is an older model. There appears to be newer versions, with better hardware, available. For me, this works perfectly--just a little slow, but no lag.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Interesting that its not a head unit itself, but a clever way to get an android up on the factory carplay enabled Sync screen.

Im actually very likely going to be in the market for a good android head unit for a base GT350. The 4” factory screen ain’t gonna cut it.

Needs to be a decent android unit, with good bluetooth and WiFi connections. (theres an autox oriented android app I really want to run on a good screen in the dash.

 

[CoolRod]

Interesting that its not a head unit itself, but a clever way to get an android up on the factory carplay enabled Sync screen.

Im actually very likely going to be in the market for a good android head unit for a base GT350. The 4” factory screen ain’t gonna cut it.

Needs to be a decent android unit, with good bluetooth and WiFi connections. (theres an autox oriented android app I really want to run on a good screen in the dash.

What app is this?

 

[NightmareMoon]

What app is this?

Solostorm, which is an Android app for autocross. Connects to an external GPS and ODB2 dongle devices.

I also want Wyze

 

[MidnightStars]

Solostorm, which is an Android app for autocross. Connects to an external GPS and ODB2 dongle devices.

I also want Wyze

Definitely do-able with the dongle I got, but I absolutely wouldn't trust the bluetooth/WiFi for that type of data throughput. I haven't had any connectivity issues on mine, but I don't know what type of demands Solostorm would have

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