apps for cars

I'm starting my conversion to a Android setup. Did tons of research. My tablet has AndroI stilld 4.0, soon to be Android 4. 1. YWonder ou wcan ant to make sure it has Android 3.0 and up. These versions support USB Host Mode. Which allows you to connect tons of devices.

1) For phone/text: Tablet Talk. Connects via BT or Wifi. I wanted to use Wifi mode, but when I started this post, I realized that when connected to 3G/4G, Wifi turns off. *Note, due to Android limitations, you have to use a BT headset posted with phone, not tablet. Since I want to use this in my car, through speakers, the Car PC will act as a kind of emulator via its BT, mic and speaker.
2) For GPS: tetherGPS . Also connects via BT or Wifi. I needed this because my tablet came with everything underneath the sun, but GPS.
3) For OBD2: Torque Pro (must be pro version to use USB) via USB OBD2. Tablet or phone must be Android 3.0 and up, and must have USB Host Mode in debugging section.
4) TPMS: via BT. I think they may have a Wifi mode, didn't check though since it would be only device tying up BT. Also with Android 4.0 and BT 2.1, you can connect more than one device. Anyways, the app is called TireHawk Bright+. The app is in the market. It's full version, but in demo mode. Once it detects the TireHawk unit, it will switch from demo to real. Still waiting on pricing from company. Seems to be the only Android TPMS solution. What really attracted me is that the sensors mount on the valve stems ( has anti theft feature also). So easy to install. Also has replaceable batteries.

That's what I got so far. Most everything else is available in Google Play Store.

PS: i still have my Car PC. I use it to store all media, tether 3G/4G/wifi connection to create hotspot, convert tablet audio to 7.1, create BT headset emulator. Also controls all screens, amps, and inverter.

As far as voice recognition, I can see if my BT headset idea works. I don't think it will since that is tethered to phone. Wonder if I can pair to 2 devices. Tablet and Phone via PC? I'll let you know.

Found this article, so may hold promise. I guess I have to see if BlueSoliel has the ability. HMMM, I'm going to uninstall BlueSoliel, Windows does PC speakerphone natively as far as paired to one device. If not, something on PC will. http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-7609_7-295-2.html

Hey guys, just getting into an android setup myself. Have a google nexus 7 tablet that's going in my car. Just got using the usb as OTG and charging it at the same time sorted out, now I'm focusing on the software. I'm surprised there isn't any good front ends for android since the stock front end is already mostly there... just need to be able to make the icons bigger and it's ready to go. I spent a lot of hours going through dozens of music players and right now Aalinq is the forerunner, but there are a couple others that work nicely too.

I find car home a good front end

I'm using Windows 8 alone, without any kind of frontend. I have microsoft speech recognition. with a normal mic, and some traaining, it almost always understands what i say. combined with autohotkey , and speech macros you can do wonders with your voice! (includind full control of WMP like "play artist. or play song")

[URL="https://play.google.com/store/search?q=car+home&c=apps"] Here are some front end options for Android. Car home ultra is what I use cause it is completely customizable. If you are planning on using a Nexus 7 then highly suggest that you update to 4.1.2 since it will allow your stock launcher to change into landscape mode. I also want to integrate one of these to my system and that is why I signed up. My idea is to use a Bluetooth camera for backup camera using this to control it or view it https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...VyYXJlbW90ZSJd not sure how well it will work. Also i use an external bluetooth GPS with this apphttps://play.google.com/store/apps/d...lkLmJ0Z3BzIl0.

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Originally Posted by Ryan_M

I'm surprised there isn't any good front ends for android since the stock front end is already mostly there... just need to be able to make the icons bigger and it's ready to go.

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i was once in the same boat. and then i started using desktop visualizer. to me, dvr + widgets > a frontend.

I got onto a launcher that got me pretty much where I wanted to be. It's GO Launcher. I attached a pic (sorry for the crappy cell phone pic) of where I am with getting it looking the way I want, add a clock widget and increase the text size and I think I'd be satisfied. I took my nexus 7 into the wifes car today to see how it would perform putting it through the paces... playing music while using nav and using my cell as a wifi hot spot for google maps. The setup performed like a champ and I was really impressed. BUT major issue!!! Screen on the nexus 7 is polarized, and exactly the wrong way. My bad that I should've thought about checking this earlier but I like polarized sunglasses and this tab is completely useless in landscape mode while I'm wearing them and my glasses cost more then the tab so it's out. Project abandoned. I know the samsung tab has a different display type. I'm hoping it isn't polarized or if it is hopefully the right way. Gotta find a use for the nexus 7 now. Major Bummer!

How did you get big icon ?

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Originally Posted by mbausch

Is anybody using voice recognition? I want to be able to play tunes based on song, artist, album, random, all from voice. I'd also like to fire up GPS, and anything else I can think of. Basically a Siri for the CarPC. Anything like that?

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Car mode in TuneIn radio has voice search. Not quite the same as using your own collection, but can find stations playing song, artist etc.

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Originally Posted by Hydr0

How did you get big icon ?

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In GO Launcher under Preferences>Visual settings>Icons>Icon size

I also got the text larger as well.