Old tablet as android auto?

[unwashed potato!]

Anyone here used an old 4g capable tablet as a media device/android auto device in their vehicle?

I want to put abdoird auto in my latest work van, and have seen some options to do this and though not crazy money, they are approx £200, i can't help but feel my tablet could do the same job, if not potentially better as it'd still operate like a tablet and have chrome, app support etc, and be usable for doing site quotes.

My concern though is perhaps using a tablet, you lose out on some of the features not talking to each other as you would with an official unit?

Changing volume from steering wheel for instance.

 

[jpaul]

yes I've considered option - problem is somewhat getting a tablet which has decent audio output and complimentary HU which has a reasonable quality aux-in.
I have an Alpine din HU that has a good aux-in, and was thinking of a 2nd hand microsoft duo as a tablet,
I think a USB dac like a dacmagic ~ £50 could be needed on the duo.

the security aspect might become tedious with a real tablet that you can't carry on your person,
tablet holder would really need to be bolted onto the dash because they are heavier.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I'm not sure if the recent versions of android auto will do this.

 

[unwashed potato!]

I'm not sure if the recent versions of android auto will do this.

Do what

 

[unwashed potato!]

yes I've considered option - problem is somewhat getting a tablet which has decent audio output and complimentary HU which has a reasonable quality aux-in.
I have an Alpine din HU that has a good aux-in, and was thinking of a 2nd hand microsoft duo as a tablet,
I think a USB dac like a dacmagic ~ £50 could be needed on the duo.

the security aspect might become tedious with a real tablet that you can't carry on your person,
tablet holder would really need to be bolted onto the dash because they are heavier.

I currently use Bluetooth to play my own music/podcasts. I don't see an issue with the audio quality so imagine it'd be the same thing. Bluetooth from tablet over to the existing standard radio

 

[adam cool dude]

I just put a blaupunkt double din in our little Suzuki with a DAB antenna. It has Dab, Bluetooth playback, phone calls etc. Just have the phone in a cradle when you need sat Nav. Was 99 quid and does everything you need really.

 

[unwashed potato!]

I just put a blaupunkt double din in our little Suzuki with a DAB antenna. It has Dab, Bluetooth playback, phone calls etc. Just have the phone in a cradle when you need sat Nav. Was 99 quid and does everything you need really.

I need sat nav 4/5 times a day, hours a time a time sometimes. So ideally wanted a non phone option for many reasons but one is avoid needing to use phone got sat nav and other thjfbs at the same time

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Do what

Android 12 onwards, there's no Android Auto.

'Driving Mode' is your replacement for mobile Android Auto – Here's how to use it

There are plenty of people out there who use Android Auto on their phones. After all, it’s an alternative to...

9to5google.com

 

[jpaul]

Another alternative - you can apparently make a tablet behave like an android auto capable HU

However, since most of the processing happens on the connected phone, Android Auto can work with even the most basic hardware, including an Android tablet that you may be able to buy for far less than the price of a full head unit. When paired with a dedicated app called Headunit Reloaded Emulator, the tablet can be transformed into an Android Auto solution that works even in older cars.

https://www.slashgear.com/1155587/how-to-use-any-android-tablet-as-an-android-auto-car-head-unit/


- I prefer the idea of your regular phone being redundant in the car, and the android 4g tablet actually receiving the diverted calls from your regular mobile though,
since currently bluetooth hands free doesn't give you the quality of hd sound on VOLTE

 

[AssaTM]

There are a lot of cars that have this as a mod and it works surprisingly well, definitely something worth investing in as a project

 

[silverblack]

I was messing around with an old Amazon tablet and found Headunit Reloaded app on the Play store ,did the job but never delved in too far but might be an option.

 

[Funky-Melon]

I got one of these recently for about £40.

Podofo 10.26

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

m.aliexpress.com

Half expected it to be a piece of crap but figured for £40 it's not a big deal. It's actually very good. Wireless Android auto, takes about 15 seconds after turning on the car to connect to my Pixel 7 Pro and away it goes, big map and Spotify on the screen.

Dual Bluetooth as well so streams audio from the phone to the car.

If you can mount it nicely I'd recommend giving one a go.

 

[unwashed potato!]

I got one of these recently for about £40.

Podofo 10.26

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

m.aliexpress.com

Half expected it to be a piece of crap but figured for £40 it's not a big deal. It's actually very good. Wireless Android auto, takes about 15 seconds after turning on the car to connect to my Pixel 7 Pro and away it goes, big map and Spotify on the screen.

Dual Bluetooth as well so streams audio from the phone to the car.

If you can mount it nicely I'd recommend giving one a go.

Thanks that does look half decent for the low price.

Does it auto record once you start driving?

It seems it's only fm radio? Do you know if it has the ability to take dab?

 

[Funky-Melon]

Thanks that does look half decent for the low price.

Does it auto record once you start driving?

It seems it's only fm radio? Do you know if it has the ability to take dab?

Auto record? I got the 10.26" display only with no camera so I'm not sure.

The FM is for playing your phone through your car if your car doesn't have bluetooth.