Android tablet to live in car forever?

[sunismymed]

You may want to go with a dedicated navigation device. I think dealing with hacked together android auto would be a more annoying than helpful in your situation.

Well yes, that is exactly the point. Get a small Android tablet, about the size of an old iphone, and just leave it plugged in. There currently isn't any NAV in most Maverick's as far as I know, but they all how an 8" touch screen with AndroidAuto & "iphone-auto" built in.

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[sunismymed]

I am confused. Do you not have an android auto capable phone?

Phone?????? The thread is about a 'tablet'

But to answer: I rarely take my phone with me. Maybe people would be happier living that way? Having said that, no my phone is not a smart phone.

That's the point - not a phone. A cheap tablet - with wifi in your driveway to download maps if needed. Or you could think of it as a cheap android phone without a SIM card.

Maybe $60 plus a cord makes a built in NAV & tune player that you never have to look for, keep charged, find a cable, and plug in? Or pay a monthly charge

 

[sunismymed]

Android auto is so simple.... plug your phone in an maps an music come up... Zero effort. Why add extra junk to do the same thing? What am I missing? A 70$ Android tablet is pure junk.

You are almost answering the question. Are you currently using Android Auto on a Maverick?

For someone without a smart phone, what price do you suggest is minimum for an Android Tablet that is not junk, but would give all those benefits for "Zero effort".

 

[sunismymed]

If AA is supported, there is no reason it wouldn't work. As far as functionality, it starts up shortly after the car starts automatically, including displaying maps and starting music playback (at least it does that for me).

Awesome. Exactly what I was hoping to hear.

 

[Asaleigh]

You are almost answering the question. Are you currently using Android Auto on a Maverick?

For someone without a smart phone, what price do you suggest is minimum for an Android Tablet that is not junk, but would give all those benefits for "Zero effort".

Yes I have a pixel 6pro. It's cheap an works flawless with Android auto on my maverick xl.

I'd add a basic smart android phone to my plan and use that.no reason to add another screen when the Maverick one works fine. But I'm not against smart phones. So we are in different worlds. But any cheap tablet is going to be a bigger frustration than it's worth. I'm my opinion.

 

[Qwillex]

Well that is the solution for when the Maverick's screen dies, and Ford wants us to spend $3K for a new one.

I'm talking about a $50 mini tablet, for offline NAV and tunes I could drag n drop from my PC.

I'll want to use the Mavericks screen, maybe even steering wheel buttons if they work.

Steering wheel controls work just fine. So do the dash controls. Also since it's an iPad it works with my phone so all phone calls and messages go right to it automatically. I used to be heavy in to Android, but apple plays so well together across multiple devices and it does it automatically.

My set up isn't for everyone, but it's great for someone that doesn't want/need radio tuning, it starts playing seconds after I start the car, it gives me full access to anything I could want, any video streaming, music streaming, any navigation, etc. I plan on adding an obd device as well so I can see more detail about what's going on in my truck.

A used ipad mini can be gotten for not much and it'll last a lot longer than a $50 android device.

 

[MaverickHybrid]

Wait! This thread is about tablets. Please don’t mention phones

 

[Nw_adventure]

I wonder if one of the new "floating screen head units" might be a viable replacement/upgrade option for the stock head unit?

e.g.; https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZS4coBN46D4/learn/floating-screen-car-stereos.html

pat----

Just got one of these 9 inch units for our highlander while we wait forever for the Maverick to be built- Was pretty excited but then realized how much nanny is involved with AA- Cant really look at the screen (that's perfectly positioned in my driving line of site) to see incoming texts/emails/ etc without being read aloud which is a bit clunky- Map and playing tunes is fine but I may just rig something up to get past the nanny on our long drives with either a tablet or large phone.

 

[brnpttmn]

Wait! This thread is about tablets. Please don’t mention phones

Problem is, Android tablets haven't had the same development investment as Android phones. If you're looking for a cheap device to keep in a car to provide Android Auto a cheap unlocked sim-less phone is probably the best bet.

 

[Qwillex]

I forgot to mention that I have my smart home apps on the iPad too, including my garage door app, so that's my opener.

Also as mentioned above, anytime you're using the factory screen you're going to have restrictions on what it'll do and display while moving. I love my iPad, I don't miss the factory screen ever.

 

[TacoHolder]

Why not just use a phone instead and use the screen in the car for Android Auto? Could get one with a year of service and a very small amount of data for $60.

 

[JASmith]

I didn't see anyone mention simply using a dedicated standalone Android + Android Auto device plugged in constantly to the car's USB input.

These are similar to the wireless android auto/caplay dongles, but slightly larger and have a standalone android system of their own, so don't even need the phone to connect (even though that is also an option).

Here's one of many example devices:

 

[brnpttmn]

Problem is, Android tablets haven't had the same development investment as Android phones. If you're looking for a cheap device to keep in a car to provide Android Auto a cheap unlocked sim-less phone is probably the best bet.

I should also note that if you get a cheap phone for Android Auto and you're already paying for a flip phone, you might as well just grab a t mobile sim and their $15/2.5gb plan.

 

[JASmith]

I should also note that if you get a cheap phone for Android Auto and you're already paying for a flip phone, you might as well just grab a t mobile sim and their $15/2.5gb plan.

Most people have hotspots on their phones and plenty of data, the problem is the hassle. Anyone ever find a way to automate turning your hotspot on and off with say the bluetooth to your car being the trigger?

If you could, you could probably find some kind of old cheap phone that would perfectly fit in the cubby and just use the data from your phone, that would be kinda neat.

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